before surgery
Cats or dogs having any kind of anaesthetic procedure may have 1/4 of a normal sized meal no later than 6 am the day of surgery. This is to reduce the risk of aspiration during surgery. Your pet is welcome to have plenty of fresh water.
If your pet takes daily medication in the morning that must be given with food, please notify the staff at check in what medication was given and at what time it was given. Do not give your pet any morning medication that isn't required, such as vitamins, supplements, or any type of calming treat like CBD
or anti-
anxiety chews.
We require that cats are brought to the clinic in a clean,
secure carrier that is free of food or bowls. A towel or
blanket may be included for comfort.
Dogs must be brought in on a secure, non-retractable leash.
Please let a staff member know at check in if your dog will
require a muzzle while being treated.
caring for your cat following surgery
Your cat may be groggy and sedate for the next 24-48 hours.
they may be off balance the night of surgery so keep your
cat confined.
Keep your cat indoors, warm, dry and quiet with no strenuoUs
activity for 7-10 days. remember not to bath your cat for the
next two weeks.
Offer your cat a small amount of food and water when you
get home. There may be no interest in food until tomorrow.
Do not force feed your cat, it can take up to 24 hours for
their appetite to go back to normal.
Check your cat’s incision twice daily. A moderate amount of swelling and redness is normal, especially if there is too much activity, but there should not be any major discharge or bleeding. If some swelling occurs, it can take a few weeks to disappear. There are no sutures to remove.
Do not allow your cat to lick or chew the incision. Purchase an Elizabethan collor if necessary.
Lethargy or lack of appetite after 24 hours is not normal. A veterinarian should see your cat if these occur. If our veterinarian is not available, you should contact a veterinarian in the area ASAP. Emergency 24-hour veterinary care is available at (707) 672-6505 (this is a county wide after hours care number).
Critters Without Litters Spay/Neuter Clinic does not provide reimbursement for care provided tside of the clinic.
caring for your dog following surgery
your dog may be groggy for the next 24-48 hours. this is normal after an anesthetic procedure.
please keep your dog in a quiet, warm place tonight. Be sure to not allow any strenuous activity for 10-14 days; leash walks only and no bathing for 14 days.
Offer your dog small meals over the next 24 hours (1/4 of normal diet every few hours). If they’re not interested in food tonight, do not force feed. Resume normal diet/amount in 24 hours.
anti-inflammatory medications should start the morning following surgery. Pain medications will be started the night of surgery. follow directions on bottle and give with food if needed.
check the incision twice daily. a moderate amount of swelling and redness/bruising is normal for the next 7-10 days, especially if your dog becomes too active.
It can take 2-4 weeks for the swelling to disappear, but there
should not be any discharge or bleeding. there are no
sutures to be removed.
do not allow your dog to lick or chew a the incision. an
e-collar should be kept on at all times if not being closely
monitored. The e-collar should be kept on for the next 10-14
days.
Lethargy or lack of appetite after 24 hours is not normal. if this should occur, your dog should see a veterinarian right away. critters without litters does not offer after hours emergency services. after hours emergency services are available in humboldt county at 707-672-6505.
critters without litters spay/neuter clinic does not reimburse for care provided outsid of the clinic.
