Pre-Op/Post Op Info

Pre-Operative Owner Instructions

Surgeries are provided on an outpatient basis, with cats being dropped off at 7-8 a.m. and discharged in the afternoon, depending on the clinic size. Dog drop off at 8am-9am.

Please adhere to the following instructions:

  • Food & Water – Please take away food after 10 PM the night before surgery. Please DO NOT withhold water.  This can make a cat dehydrated prior to surgery and/or exaserbate any underlying liver or kidney issues.
    – Do not give any food the morning of surgery if the cats are over 3 months.
    – If the patient is a kitten/puppy under 3 months of age, remove food after 10 PM the night before surgery, but give half the normal amount of food and water the morning of surgery, before 6am.
  • Flea treatments  – The only flea treatments that are acceptable to use prior to surgery are Advantage, Frontline, and Revolution. Other flea products should be discontinued 2 weeks prior to the day of surgery.
  • Heartworm Preventatives – Heartworm preventatives should be used as normal, regardless of surgery.
  • Nursing Females – Please be sure that your female cat has stopped nursing (weaned) at least 2 weeks prior to the day of surgery.
  • Rabies Vaccinations – If your pet is not up-to-date on its rabies vaccination and is 12 weeks of age or older, we required that you have your pet vaccinated.(We can do this day of) We will not be able to call for proof.
  • Arrival Time – Surgery is scheduled by appointment. Your confirmation is invalid if you have not arrived at 7:30am.   You space will be given to the next person on the wait list. Please arrive at Project CatSnip mobile clinic promptly at 7:30 am, no later.  MOBILE CLINICS
  • Carriers – Please ensure the security of your carrier(s) prior to transporting your cat. Your cat MUST be in carrier approved for cats upon discharge (please put some absorptive material inside in case of accidents!)
  • Multiple cats MUST arrive and go home in separate carriers. If one is not provided, a cardboard carrier will be furnished for a additional charge of $7.
  • Dogs MUST arrive in collar, holster and lead. Please keep dogs close to you, in arms and under control. NO aggressvive dogs will be accepted!
  • Payment is required at the time your pet is checked out for surgery – NO EXCEPTIONS. CARECREDIT isn’t taken at this time.
  • Pick-Up Time – Once surgery is completed and they have fully recovered from anesthesia, they will be discharged the same day. Pick-up time will be announced at the time you complete your paperwork in the morning, as it changes daily depending upon the clinic count.
  • Post operative instructions will be provided at the time of pick up.
  • Late Fee – There will be a late fee of $20 per pet for every 30 minutes past the scheduled pick-up time.  Cats not picked up after 60 minutes will be charged a late fee and a $100 per pet overnight care fee.  Project CatSnip is not equipped with boarding facilities.  Any animal that is not picked up after one day will be relinquished to Catsnip for ownership. Please be on time to avoid these unnecessary charges.

Post-Operative Owner Instructions 

Your pet has undergone general anesthesia and surgical sterilization.

For the safety and well-being of you and your pet, please read and follow the post-operative instructions

  • Sutures – We use dissolvable sutures and surgical tissue glue for female cats.  Male cat neuters do not require sutures.  Please be advised that sutures can take up to 4-6 months to dissolve.  Occasionally there will be some swelling that will resolve itself in a few days.  Males may have significant swelling in their scrotum area, and it may even look like the testicles have not been removed. The swelling will go down in 3-5 days.
  • Recovery Time – Immediately following discharge, please keep your cat in his/her carrier for 1-2 hours to allow complete recovery from anesthesia.  Your cat must be kept indoors for 7-10 days after surgery. This way you can carefully monitor your cat’s recovery.  Restrict your cat’s activity to a small room such as a bathroom or laundry room. Do not allow running or jumping, and keep your cat(s) separate from all other animals.  Do not allow your pet to get wet during this recovery time.
  • Food and Water – Stomach upset can occur when any anesthesia is used.  For 12 hours after surgery, restrict the amount of food and water.  Offer a small amount of food and water 1-2 hours after you get home. If you cat keeps this down, 1 hour later feed half the amount of their regular food.  Repeat these small feedings for the rest of the day.  Regular feeding schedules can be resumed the next day.  Kittens 4 months and under should be fed and given water as soon as they get home.
  • Incision Care – Check the incision twice daily until healed.  A small amount of blood or fluid seepage immediately after surgery is normal.  Typical symptoms are:  decreased appetite, decreased energy level, nausea, and/or slight swelling or redness at the incision.
  • Litter – Please use shredded newspaper or a commercial brand called Yesterday’s News or Good Mews (available at most pet supply stores) instead of litter for 7 days post-op to prevent dust particles from irritating the incision.
  • Emergencies – Please take the time to familiarize yourself with the animal emergency facility nearest to you.  If you have any concerns about your pet’s medical condition within two weeks following surgery, please call our CatSnip Medical Hotline at 404-725-2286 until 8:30 PM, Monday through Friday.  After 8:30 PM and on weekends, please contact your nearest emergency animal hospital.  For medical records and other non-emergency information, please call our office at 770-455-7077.

DO NOT GIVE ANY MEDICATION TO YOUR PET WITHOUT CONSULTING YOUR VETERINARIAN.  TYLENOL IS TOXIC TO ANIMALS AND ASPIRIN CAN BE DEADLY IF GIVEN POST-OPERATIVELY.