Surgical Preoperative and Recovery

CLICK HERE to download a copy of the instructions

Food & Water
Please do not give your adult dog or cat any food after midnight (12:00 am) the night before surgery, or any water after 7:00 am the day of surgery. Puppies and kittens four months and younger can have food and water until 7:00 am.

Keep Your Pets Indoors
Pets need to be kept indoors the night before surgery to ensure they do not eat something outside, which could cause potentially dangerous complications during surgery.

If Your Pet Is Sick
If your pet shows ANY symptoms of being ill, please do not come into our clinic. Call the Veterinary Clinic at 941-747-8808 option 1 to schedule an exam and you can reschedule surgery with us when your pet is feeling better. We cannot risk infecting other pets in our clinic or shelter.

Rabies Vaccine
A rabies vaccine is required by Florida state law prior to surgery. You must bring in proof (rabies certificate or medical records showing the date of the vaccine) that your animal has received the rabies vaccine. If your animal is due for the rabies vaccine, we will vaccinate them while they are with us. You can purchase a County License Tag at the time of your visit, too.

Check-In the Morning Of Surgery
Check-in is at 8:00 am for dogs and 8:30 am for cats. Due to our strict schedule, your animal may not be admitted if it is brought in after 8:30 am. All cats must be in a carrier, and dogs must be on a leash or in a carrier.

Method of Payment
We accept cash, credit, or debit. No checks are accepted for payment.

Pick-Up After Surgery
Dogs are picked up at 4:00 pm on the day of surgery. The discharge instructions are given in a group setting, so we do ask that everyone be at the clinic at 3:30 pm. Cats are picked up the following morning at 9:00 am, and these discharge instructions are also given in a group setting.

CLICK HERE to download a copy of the instructions.

Your pet has had major surgery and will need to be well cared for afterward to help prevent complications. Following the instructions below will help ensure your pet has a successful recovery.

1. Be aware that very few animals have emergency problems after surgery, but it is always better to be prepared than not.  Our emergency clinic for after-hours complications is Suncoast Veterinary Emergency at 855-843-0858.  The Veterinary Emergency Center is located at 4937 S. Tamiami Tr. Sarasota, FL 34231.
2. The recovery time is considered to be the next 7 – 10 days.  NO running, jumping, playing, swimming, or other strenuous activity during that time.  Pets must be kept indoors where they can stay clean, dry, and warm.  No baths during the recovery period.  Dogs must be walked on a leash.
3. Check the incision site twice daily.  There should be no drainage. Redness and swelling should be minimal.  Do not allow your pet to lick or chew at the incision.  An e-Collar must be worn for the next 7 – 10 days.
4. If you notice your cat licking at the incision, it is extremely important that you get an e-collar immediately as this can lead to serious and life-threatening complications.  You can purchase an e-collar at our clinic for $5.00.
5. If you have a concern with the incision, you can bring your pet to the Humane Society of Manatee County Veterinary Clinic Monday – Friday from 9 am – 12 noon to have it checked.  Please do not email pictures of the incision as it is difficult to determine if there is a problem.
6. Appetite should return gradually within 24 hours of surgery.  Lethargy and lack of eating or drinking lasting for more than 24 hours, diarrhea, or vomiting are not normal and you should call our veterinary clinic immediately at 941-747-8808 Option #1.  Dogs may have a slight cough for a few days following surgery.
7. Do not change your pet’s diet during this time and do not give junk food, table scraps, milk, or any other people food during the recovery period.
8. Please note that your pet received a green tattoo during the sterilization process.  This is not an extra incision.  This is a universal indicator that your pet has been sterilized which will show any hospital that the animal has already been altered.
9. All dogs are sent home with post-surgery pain medication.  Please start this medication in the morning after surgery.  Please follow the directions on the medication label.  This medication should NOT be given on an empty stomach.
10. Please call us (941-747-8808 Option #1) with any other questions or concerns you may have about your pet’s surgical procedure or email us at clinic@humanesocietymanatee.org.  Please include your pet’s ID# in the email, which you can find on your receipt for the day.

Call If You Have Concerns
If there are any questions or concerns directly related to the surgery during the recovery period, please call this office during business hours at 941-747-8808 option 1. If there is an emergency after hours, contact Suncoast Veterinary Emergency at 855-843-0858.  The Veterinary Emergency Center is located at 4937 S. Tamiami Tr. Sarasota, FL 34231.

The Humane Society of Manatee County will treat at our clinic, at minimal cost, any post-op complications resulting directly from the surgery, if the above post-op instructions are followed in full. Please call for an appointment as soon as you see cause for concern. We cannot be held responsible for complications resulting from failure to follow post-op instructions, or for contagious diseases for which the animal was not previously properly vaccinated.