BEAVER LAKE ANIMAL HOSPITAL
PRE SPAY/NEUTER INFORMATION
Your pet should not have any food or treats after 6 p.m. the night before the procedure (diabetics
excepted). Water should be available at all times. Walk your dog before coming into the clinic.
Collect a fecal sample if produced. Plan on arriving between 8 A.M. TO 8:15 A.M. the morning of the
procedure (unless otherwise arranged). Allow for time to read and sign an authorization form. You
will be given a written estimate of scheduled services. We will call you when your pet is in recovery
and the procedures have been completed.
We will perform an organ function test with electrolytes and a hematocrit on your pet on the morning
of the procedure. Our new technology allows us to perform these tests using only about 3 drops of
blood. On some pets, the testing may be completed within the 7 days prior to the scheduled
procedure. An optional complete blood cell count may be performed.
When your pet is in for a scheduled services there are other services that might be of benefit to you
and your pet. You may authorize these services when your pet is admitted in the morning, or anytime
before your pet is in recovery. Provided here is some information to allow you to make an educated
decision.
1. If your pet is not yet Microchipped, we recommend this simple injection to permanently
identify your pet.
Bottom line, if you want your pet back, should they become separated from you, you want your pet
microchipped. Virtually all humane societies and animal control agencies scan pets for microchips. Most lost
pets somehow have lost their collars. Our Microchips ‘code’ back to us. We recommend you also join ‘Pettrac’
so the microchip number will ‘code’ back directly to you, in addition to us.
2. We recommend a fecal examination to insure your pet is rid of internal parasites.
3. We recommend retained baby teeth be extracted if your pet is 6 months old or older.
Retained baby teeth will cause early dental disease if left in. Typically, if your pet is older than 6 months,
these retained teeth are unlikely to fall out on their own after 6 months of age. Pain medication may be
administered if deemed reasonable. The charge is based on the amount of time required to extract these
teeth.
4. We recommend hip and elbow radiographs (X-rays) to check for hip and elbow dysplasia
tendency for any pets over 40 #, or expected to be over 40# at maturity.
A hip X-ray is taken with your dog up side down stretched and legs somewhat twisted. We only do this under
sedation or anesthesia. If your dog’s hips look good – great!! If not, in younger animals, you will have choices
of what you can do to prevent or reduce arthritic changes. In older dogs, we will help you help your pet stay as
pain free as possible.
5.
We can complete a urinalysis.
If your dog is still having problems with housetraining or submissive wetting, a urinalysis can help determine if
there is an infection or other physical cause for the problem
6.
We can correct umbilical hernias.
7. We recommend the tear ducts be flushed if your pet has epiphora (tear staining).
We can examine the eyelids and tear ducts under magnification. We can attempt to flush the ducts or open
the entrances to the ducts to prevent or reduce epiphora. Medication may be sent home after this procedure.
The fee is based on the amount of time plus supplies required for this service.
8. We recommend removing any eyelashes that are disturbing the eyes due to growing in the
wrong direction, or place.
Eyelashes growing from the wrong place or in the wrong direction can be epilated. Medication may be sent
home after this procedure
9. We recommend eyelid corrective surgery if the eyelids roll inwards (entropion) or outwards
(ectropion) so as to be disturbing the eye.
If the lids roll in, the hair of the lids rub on the cornea, the eyes are under constant irritation, and corneal
ulcers may develop. If the lids roll out (less common) the eyes may not close properly, nor be able to protect
the eye as needed. The eyes may not be able to be kept moist across the full surface of the cornea, or may
collect excessive debris, which cause chronic irritation.
10. Dogs that will be hunted or worked in the field should have their dewclaws removed.
These claws are more likely to become injured in working dogs. They can be removed on household dogs also.
Pain medication will be used if the front dewclaws are removed.
11. Cats can be declawed.
I have much information for you about the pros and cons and other information pertinent to declawing cats.
Only the front claws are removed. Pain medication will be used. Young cats will be kept 2 nights. Older cats
will be kept 2-3 nights. All my cats are declawed, and kept indoors only.
12. We can easily perform the following grooming procedures: Toe nail trims, Ear Hygiene
(plucking hair out of the ears and/or cleaning), Brushing or Clipping out mats, Bathing, Expressing
anal sacs. Several of these services are less costly when completed under anesthesia or sedation.
(425) 557 0752 Fax (425) 557 9579
www.beaverlakeah.com
eMail IDrPets@aol.com
12/26/2004
Beaver Lake Animal Hospital
Standard Spay/Neuter Procedure
A routine Spay or Neuter is done on an animal that is about 6 months old. The kitten or puppy has not been ‘in heat’, and
is a normal weight. The pup or kitten has not had any significant health problems detected. Both testes have descended
into the scrotum on males.
On the scheduled morning, you will be asked to sign an authorization form, which also offers other elective services as
outlined in the ‘Pre Spay/Neuter Information’ form.
Once admitted, the pet will have a preanesthesia exam. The heart will be ausculted (listened to) for rate, rhythm and
sounds. The lungs will be ausculted. The mucus membranes will be examined for color and capillary refill time. The
general appearance will be evaluated. The teeth will be examined for retained deciduous teeth or other dental problems.
If a suitable preanesthesia blood lab evaluation has not recently been completed, a few drops of blood will be collected to
evaluate organ function, electrolytes and a hematocrit.
Pets initially receive a preanesthesia injection that allows for relaxation, reduces the chance of post anesthesia vomiting
and controls excess salivation. An IV catheter will be placed. IV fluids will be administered to help maintain blood
pressure, provide internal organ support and to help keep your pet from becoming dehydrated. Anesthesia is induced
with an injection of medications that quickly anesthetizes the pet, and allows for intubation. Intubation is placing a tube
through the mouth, between the laryngeal cartilages and into the trachea. Isoflurane anesthesia is then administered
through the tube to maintain anesthesia. The tube also protects the airways. Dogs and female cats will be intubated.
Male cats will not require intubation unless other services (declaw, etc) are also scheduled.
Pain medication will be administered which will help your pet, as needed, before, during and after the procedure.
Medications used vary with the species and procedures. Some pain medications can increase the sedation of the pet,
some will not.
The surgery site is clipped and antiseptically prepared for surgery.
For male cats, each sac of the scrotum is incised with a scalpel blade and the testicle is retracted and removed. The cat
is wrapped in a towel then placed in its cage with heat support to recover. There are no sutures (no stitches).
Once dogs and female cats are surgically prepared, they are moved into the surgery suite onto the heated table.
Electrocardiogram leads are attached to allow monitoring of heart rate and rhythm. They are then connected to the
isoflurane anesthesia machine that monitors their respiration, and assists in proper ventilation. The doctor scrubs three
times, wears a surgical cap and mask, as well as a sterilely prepared gown and sterile, single use gloves. A sterile pack
of surgical instruments is used along with a new sterile scalpel blade and suture material. (Although you may think this is
standard at all veterinary hospitals, it is not.)
An ovariohysterectomy is performed on females. This is surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus via an incision made
just caudal to (behind) the umbilicus (belly button). The incision is closed in 2 or 3 layers of sutures, depending on the
amount of fat on the female’s body. The final layer is subcutaneous (within the skin). Sutures will dissolve, and will not
need to be removed.
An orchidectomy is performed on males. In dogs, an incision is made just cranial (in front of) to the scrotum. Each
testicle is retracted through the single incision, and surgically removed via an ‘open’ procedure. The incision is closed
with subcutaneous sutures. These sutures will not need to be removed.
Pets are recovered in our treatment area on a fleece. They are extubated after they regain their reflexes and are able to
control their airways. Fluids will continue until the pet seems able to move about. At that time, they will be returned to
their kennel.
Heat support will be continued for all small or shorthaired pets.
Pets that vomit after anesthesia will be administered a medication to help prevent further vomiting. (Additional cost)
All pets less than 50 pounds are normally released later the same day.
Pets released the same day will be sedate. This is to help prevent pain, and allow better initial healing. Be prepared to
allow them to just rest that night. Do not allow children to handle the pet at all the first night, and for 3-4 days only under
your direct supervision.
Female pets rarely lick at their suture sites more than just an occasional lick. If your female starts to lick much, you must
stop her. Please call for an Elizabethan collar.
An Elizabethan collar will be discharged with all male dogs. These collars help prevent the dog from self-traumatizing
and/or infecting their surgery site. These collars are bulky, and some dogs are somewhat depressed or distressed when
wearing them. You are welcome to develop an alternative. If your dog is sulking while wearing the collar take it off
temporarily, but, only if you can provide no less than 100% supervision during this time. Your dog should not be allowed
to lick or otherwise rub at the surgery site. This holds true for 3-4 days.
Be prepared in advance to crate your dog for the first 4 days. If your pet does not fit in the crate with the Elizabethan
collar, you may need to keep your pet in a small room, or keep them on a short tether. If using either a small room or a
tether, your pet will need to be supervised to insure his safety.
Be prepared to confine your female cat for the first 4 days. You will need to prevent the cat from jumping, running and
climbing. You may need to crate her, or keep her in a small room where she cannot jump or climb.
Your pet should be kept to restricted activity (kept on a 4-6 foot lead and not allowed to jump or run) or crated for 4 days
to allow fastest healing with as little pain and complications as possible.
In dogs, you may administer an antihistamine to help reduce the itchiness during the healing, or to help keep your dog
sedate if needed. I recommend Diphenhydramine (generic Benadryl). The over the counter adult dose is 25 mg size
tablets or capsules. Dogs can be given ½ tablet for every 10# of body weight up to 75 mg. This dose may be repeated
every 8 hours if needed.
Dogs can also be given aspirin, if needed, STARTING THE SECOND day after surgery. Dogs under 20# can be given ¼
of an adult strength aspirin (81 mg). Dogs between 20 and 45# can be given ½ of an adult strength aspirin (162 mg).
Dogs larger than 45# can be given a whole adult strength aspirin (325 mg). Aspirin can be given 2 times daily, if the dog
is eating well for up to 3 days.
Do not use the aspirin with caffeine in it. DO NOT USE ANY OTHER MEDICATION INCLUDING IBUPROFEN OR
TYLENOL.
DO NOT USE ANY OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATIONS FOR CATS. They will have received appropriate
medication(s) prior to leaving the hospital.
You should briefly check the surgery site once daily. What to expect:
For several days to up to 2 weeks, the surgery site may be a little lumpy and firm. The tissues inside are going through
change while healing. Additionally, the suture materials will eventually be hydrolyzed and absorbed. For the first 2 days,
there may be a little redness to the site however it should be clean and dry. In some pets with pink skin you may even be
able to see the suture under the skin; this is normal. Usually the suture material does not become exposed. If you detect
any suture material protruding, please call; we will want to check the site for you.
With all this said please know we have had very little in hospital or post op complications in our pets. We just want you to
have the information in advance.
(425) 557 0752 Fax (425) 557 9579
www.beaverlakeah.com
eMail IDrPets@aol.com
12/26/2004