Congratulations on adopting a pet from the animal shelter!
It is our pleasure to play a role in the adoption process.
Here is some information for the new parents of an animal adopted from the shelter:
On the day of the surgical procedure:
Your pet will be brought to our hospital at about 10:00 am the day of the surgery. Once all animals are checked in (which may take some time, as we often take in 10-20 surgeries), we call you at the phone number listed on your adoption paperwork.
The phone call:
We inform you of our pick-up guidelines (generally 5-6 pm) and educate you on additional services offered (including grooms and pain management options).
Surgery is generally done 12-3 pm, and your pet will be ready to go after 5 pm. As we do close at 6 pm every weekday (with the exception of our Vaccine Clinic nights), it is important that you arrive to pick up your pet before 6 pm.
Pick-Up:
If you requested any additional services for your pet or there were any extenuating medical circumstances (such as estrus, pregnancy, or cryptorchism), payment is expected at this time. Please note that while we accept many payment options, we do NOT accept checks.
We will review the following discharge instructions with you and send you home with a copy in addition to other educational materials.
Discharge Instructions:
To ensure a successful recovery following surgery, it is important that you follow these instructions for the care of your pet. Please read them carefully and ask the doctor or technician about any concerns or questions you may have.
ACTIVITY:
- Keep your pet quiet and confined in a warm cage or small room, away from other pets tonight.
- For 5-7 days: keep your pet indoors and only take outside on a leash; do not allow running or jumping; confine cats to a single room (ex. bathroom).
DIET:
- Tonight give your pet small amounts of food and water.
- Tomorrow you may begin feeding normally. We recommend Royal Canin's Early Care diets for most pets.
SURGICAL SITE:
- Prevent your pet from licking, chewing, or scratching the surgery site. Check incision daily for redness, swelling, or discharge.
- If your pet bites at the sutures, try putting him or her in a shirt to cover the surgical site until the sutures are removed or contact us for an Elizabethan Collar (better known as a lamp shade).
- Suture removal is 12-14 days from the surgery date. There is no charge for this service, and no appointment is necessary.
CONTINUING CARE:
- You are entitled to a complimentary exam for your pet within 7 days of the adoption date. Please schedule an appointment to see the doctor before the week is up! (If the exam is scheduled for after the 7 day period, the normal $48 exam fee will be charged.)