IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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ABOUT SPAY/NEUTER SURGERY AT OUR CLINIC
We are a nonprofit clinic with a mission to ensure every pet owner can access affordable, high-quality spay/neuter services and preventive care for their pets. Spay Neuter Project clinic is staffed by licensed, certified, trained, veterinary professionals, but we are not a full-service veterinary provider. The services offered are preventive and help ensure the health of your pets, but we do not have the equipment or supplies necessary to diagnose or treat sick or injured pets.
When you call or visit the Spay Neuter Project clinic, a member of our knowledgeable veterinary staff will walk you through the services offered to help you determine your pets' needs. Please review the following information and call us with questions.
We apologize for the inconvenience, but we are unable to perform surgery on Brachycephalic (flat-faced) dogs or cats, Great Danes, Dobermans, English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Whippets, or Greyhounds. Cats and dogs less than 3 pounds and/or 5 weeks of age, or those over 7 years of age and/or weighing more than 80 pounds, will not be considered for surgery due to increased risk of complications. Animals over age 5 will be required to undergo blood work to determine their eligibility for surgery.
If you are interested in helping our mission to control pet overpopulation, consider making a donation to our SPAY IT FORWARD fund, TODAY!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
REGARDING YOUR PET'S SURGERY & RECOVERY
LIMIT ACTIVITY All animals react differently to surgery. Some return to their normal behavior within hours, while others may be subdued for a while. Regardless of how your pet is behaving, it is very important that you limit their activity for their personal safety during the 7–10-day post-surgery recovery period. Strenuous activity, such as running, jumping, playing, roughhousing with other pets and children, could disrupt the healing process. Dogs should be leashed while outside and should not resume long, strenuous walks or runs for at least 7-10 days.
REGULAR DIET Your pet’s appetite should return to normal within 24-48 hours. Offer regular-sized portions of their normal food the evening of surgery. It may take some animals a day or two to return to their normal appetite. Do not change your pet's diet, give them junk food, table scraps, milk, or any other "people food" during this period. Changes in their diet could hide post-surgical complications.
ENSURE THE INCISION SITE IS CLEAN, DRY, & PREVENT LICKING Dogs and female cats have internal sutures which stabilize the tissue as it heals. These will dissolve entirely on their own, after approximately four months. Surgical glue has been applied to the skin to seal the incision against bacterial penetration. Male cats do not have sutures, and, unless you are told otherwise, your pet will not have external sutures. If your pet required skin sutures or staples, you will be notified and an appointment to remove them will be scheduled for 7–10 days after surgery. Do not bathe your pet during the recovery period or apply topical ointment to the incision site—the surgical glue on the incision will dissolve too quickly if it becomes wet. Pets must be kept indoors where they can stay clean, dry, and warm, although dogs can be walked on a leash to relieve themselves. Use an e-collar to ensure your pet does not have access to the incision site by using a well-fitting e-collar. Pets should be prevented from licking and chewing at the site for 7-10 days.
VISUALLY INSPECT THE INCISION Female dogs and cats have a mid-line incision in their abdomen. Male dogs have an incision just above the scrotum, and male cats have two incisions, one on each side of the scrotum. Check these incision sites at least twice daily. The appearance of your pet’s incision site at the time of discharge is considered normal. There should be no drainage, and redness and swelling should be minimal. Male cats may appear as if they still have testicles; this is normal, and the swelling should subside gradually throughout recovery.
MONITOR YOUR PET'S PAIN LEVEL Our Veterinarian employs a multi-modal pain management protocol—this means that different pain medications are administered throughout the surgical procedure. If your pet appears to be in pain after discharge, please call our clinic at (573) 397-6443, so that our staff can assess whether or not your pet needs to be examined. We provide free rechecks for any surgical concern during normal business hours (Tuesday-Friday 8 am - 5 pm). Do not administer pain medications (whether over the counter or prescribed) without first consulting a veterinarian. These could pose a risk of complications and medications intended for humans be harmful, or deadly, to your pet.
MALES & FEMALES SHOULD BE SEPARATED If your female dog or cat was in heat at the time of surgery, she must be separated from un-neutered males for at least two weeks. While she is unable to become pregnant, she will still attract intact males for a short period of time. If a male dog attempts to breed a female at this point, it can cause serious, life-threatening damage.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR Spaying and neutering are very safe, routine procedures. However, as with all surgery, complications can occur. Minimal redness and swelling should resolve within several days, but if it persists longer, please contact us. You should also contact us or your full-service vet immediately if you notice any of the following: 1. Pale gums 2. Extreme lethargy 3. Vomiting 4. Diarrhea 5. Discharge or bleeding from the incision 6. Difficulty urinating 7. Labored breathing The Spay Neuter Project will do a free recheck examination regarding any surgery concerns on the days we are open. Our veterinary staff will address at minimal cost, any post-operative complications resulting directly from the surgery, if the above post-operative instructions have been followed in full. We do charge for medications but do not charge for our veterinary examination. Your regular veterinarian must address illnesses or injuries that are not a direct result of surgery. Please call for an appointment as soon as you see cause for concern. We cannot be held responsible for complications resulting from failure to follow post-operative instructions, or from contagious diseases for which the animal was not previously properly vaccinated. If you have any questions or concerns directly related to the surgery during the recovery period, please call us at (573) 397-6443. For after-hours emergencies, we recommend first contacting your regular full-service veterinarian. Or contact Horton’s Discovery 24/7 Animal Hospital located at 3609 Endeavor Avenue, Columbia, MO 65201. Their phone number is 573-777-3609. Although patients' reactions to surgery can vary, should your pet exhibit any of the following conditions, please seek advice from a veterinary professional. We are available by lethargy (lasting for more than 24 hours after surgery), persistent diarrhea or vomiting are NOT normal, and you should contact us or your full-service veterinarian if these occur. We can then assess if your pet needs to be further examined by a medical professiona
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