As Animal Health Group continues its efforts in helping the Staten Island community, we offer high-quality spay and neuter surgeries for dogs and cats. Dogs under 1 year of age may qualify for low-cost spay and neuter procedures. Please call us for details.
Too many innocent, healthy dogs and cats are euthanized in Staten Island and all over the world every day due to severe over-population. We at Animal Health Group, your full-service animal clinic in Staten Island, strive to aid the community by spaying and neutering as many dogs and cats on Staten Island as possible. By doing this we can help minimize the number of loving pets admitted to animal shelters every day.
Our doctors believe in offering the same high-quality surgical care to your pets as they would provide for their own!
Before You Schedule Your Pet’s Surgery:
Your pet must be fully vaccinated and have a pre-surgical examination to assess your pet’s health prior to having surgery performed.
Why will I have blood work taken on my cat or dog before surgery? Why is it important? (please click on the link for the answer!)
If your pet is scheduled for a surgical or an anesthetic procedure tell us if your pet has accidentally had food after 12 am (midnight) the night before. We would rather re-schedule your appointment than have your pet endangered by being anesthetized or sedated with a full stomach. Water can be offered up to the time of the procedure.
What is Included in the Surgery?
- IV catheter with intravenous fluid administration. This may be one of the most important things your pet has prior to being sedated for surgery. An IV catheter allows for immediate access to an animals vein in case of a highly unlikely emergency in order to be able to quickly administer intravenous resuscitation drugs while under anesthesia. Although anesthetic emergencies are very uncommon, we at Boulevard Veterinary Group take every precautionary effort to keep your pet safe during surgery. IV fluids keep your pet well hydrated during surgery and can be used to help control blood pressure if needed.
- Blood Pressure, ECG(electrocardiogram), and Pulse Oximetry. Blood Pressure monitoring during surgery is just as important if not more so than having an IV catheter in place as it will be the first indicator if the body is not responding appropriately to anesthesia. ECG shows the speed of the heart and if there is normal or abnormal electric conduction in the heart. Pulse Oximetry measures the oxygen level in the blood.
- Anesthesia
- Analgesic (pain) and NSAID (anti-inflammatory) Injections
- Antibiotic Injection pre-operative
- Medication to go home including pain medications and antibiotics if indicated (not all surgeries need antibiotics)
Post Surgical Care At Home
Your pet has been under general anesthesia. After surgery, offer your pet a warm, confined, quiet place to rest overnight. This allows the animal to recover fully from the anesthesia. You may find that your pet wishes to rest up to two to three days after surgery.
An ointment was applied to your pet’s eyes prior to surgery to keep them from drying out. This may cause the fur around the eyes to look oily. There is no need to clean around your pet’s eyes; your pet will clean his/her eyes on his/her own.
Minor swelling near the surgical incision is normal and may continue for five to seven days after surgery. Check the incision site daily for excessive swelling or drainage. Swelling larger than a finger’s width, or any drainage should be reported to the Vet Clinic. The incision may take two or three weeks to completely heal. To decrease the risk of complications (swelling, etc.) prevent rough play between pets and with family members for two to three weeks after surgery.
Licking the incision area is rarely a concern, however, some animals may require the use of a “cone collar” if this behavior is observed.
It is not necessary and we advise against using any ointments or lotions at the surgical site.
If your pet is fully awake and acting as normal on the evening after surgery, small amounts of water and food may be given. Vomiting and choking are possible, so please watch your pet closely. Your pet may be offered regular amounts of food and water the morning after surgery.
Specifically for dogs
Do not bathe your dog or allow your dog to swim for two weeks after surgery. Limit activity to leash walks. No off-leash running or rough play.
Female dogs that were recently in heat should not be allowed near male dogs until the incision is completely healed, usually within two to three weeks. This prevents accidental mating that would have dire consequences for a recently spayed dog.
Specifically for cats
On the evening of surgery, your cat is recovering from anesthesia which may cause dizziness and/or impaired vision. Please do not allow your cat access to high places where he/she could fall and become injured.
