Thank you for having your pet spayed/neutered at the San Antonio Humane Society (SAHS). This operation helps decrease the number of unwanted pets in our city as well as improves your pet’s chances for a longer, healthier life. We strongly recommend that you establish a relationship with a full-service veterinary clinic to ensure your pet receives continued healthcare, to include vaccine boosters, deworming, and all health issues NOT directly related to this surgery.
Post-Operative Concerns?
1. Email our Medical Front Desk at medical@SAhumane.org.
- Please note this email is only monitored during routine business hours. If it is an emergency, please seek veterinary care immediately.
2. Include a PHOTO of the incision
3. Answer the following questions
- When did your pet have surgery?
- Has your pet been wearing an e-collar?
- Has your pet been allowed to lick at the incision?
- Has your pet been allowed to exercise since surgery?
- Has your pet been eating/drinking/urinating/defecating normally?
- Have you noticed discharge/bruising/swelling/bleeding from the incision?
- Have you noticed that the incision is open?
4. Our medical front desk staff will answer your email as soon as possible during REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS.
- If the medical front desk staff is unable to answer your email, they will forward it to a staff veterinarian who will contact you.
5. If the veterinarian recommends you return for a recheck, please go to the SAHS. An appointment is not required.
RECHECK HOURS
Leeu Naylor Medical Building – San Antonio Humane Society, 4804 Fredericksburg Rd.
9 am to 1 pm Monday – Friday
Post-Operative Instructions
- Your pet may be unsteady or groggy, tonight. This is normal after anesthesia. Please restrict activity and please do not leave your pet alone for the next 12-24 hours until the anesthesia wears off. If you must leave them for a short period, we recommend confining them to a small room or crate.
- Introduce food slowly. Offer only¼ of your pet’s normal amount of food tonight. If no vomiting occurs after 1 hour, you may offer another ¼ serving. Please do not allow your pet to free feed after anesthesia, as this causes vomiting. You may resume normal feeding the next morning if no vomiting occurred.
- A 24-hour dose of pain medication was given at the time of surgery. WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND ALL PETS GET ADDITIONAL PAIN CONTROL. DO NOT GIVE HUMAN PAIN MEDICATION: THESE ARE DEADLY TO PETS.
- NO BATHS OR SWIMMING for 10 days. Moisture (from bathing or licking) will cause the sutures to dissolve and promote infection. Please keep the incision clean and dry.
- WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND ALL PETS WEAR AN E-COLLAR AFTER SURGERY! The collar should extend 2 inches beyond your pet’s nose and be snug enough as to not slide off your pet’s head. If you purchase an e-collar from us, ask if you need help placing it on your pet. E-collars must be worn AT ALL TIMES without exception.
- Strict rest is required for the next 10 days. Dogs should be crated and only be taken out on a leash. Cats should be kept inside for a MINIMUM of 3-5 days. Feral cats are the ONLY exception to this rule and may be released the next day. Complications can occur (seromas, incision opening, swelling, bleeding) if your pet is OVERLY ACTIVE.
- Monitor incision site daily for the next 10 days. AluSpray, a silver aerosol bandage, has been sprayed on the incision. If you see silver on your pets nose/face, or if the silver is missing from the incision, THEY HAVE BEEN LICKING! If you see more than a few drops of bright red blood, green or yellow discharge, or severe swelling or redness, please email the veterinarians. If this is the case, any additional care, procedures, or medications will be an additional charge.
- Unless you are told otherwise, sutures are absorbable and do not need to be removed. If your pet has external sutures or staples, you will be informed and this will be noted in your paperwork. These can be removed 7-10 days from surgery. Please email the vets with a photo of the incision to schedule your removal.
- A PERMANENT GREEN TATTOO LINE was placed on your pet’s skin near the incision, as per SAHS policy. It will be prominent for several days. This is a PERMANENT sign that your pet has been spayed/neutered, should he/she get lost. Feral cats receive a tattoo and have their left ear “tipped”.
- One episode of vomiting or diarrhea can be normal after anesthesia. Multiple episodes of vomit/diarrhea with or without blood are NOT normal and usually NOT caused by the anesthesia. We recommend you see your regular veterinarian or emergency clinic (if after hours) for any severe episodes of vomiting and/or diarrhea. SAHS cannot treat these issues.
- Recommended ER clinic: Animal ER at 4315 Fredericksburg Rd (210) 737-7380. We DO NOT refund any care provided outside SAHS.
