All cats and dogs are maintained under general anesthesia during surgery with Isoflurane
gas. Each animal is placed on state of the art pulse oximetry monitors during surgery
and recovery. Each animal is monitored and cared for by skilled and trained veterinary
assistants at all times.
You will receive Post-Operative instructions at pick-up. It is important that you
keep your pet indoors and restrict activity for the next 5 - 7 days. Monitor your
pet closely the evening of surgery and be sure to check the incision daily for any
changes in appearance. We strongly recommend Elizabethan collars for all post-operative
male dogs and any other pets who are likely to lick or chew at their incision. These
are available for $10.
No. We do not require vaccinations. We do, however, recommend that you get vaccinatons
for your pet every year. We also advise you that the Rabies vaccination is required
for all animals over the age of 12 weeks by the State of Arizona. If you choose
to get this vaccination at the ABC clinic the cost is $10. Licensing information
will be provided.
For dogs: DHPP (4 in 1) protects against Distemper, Parvo, Parainfluenza
and Hepatitis is available for $10. Corona (intestinal disease) is available for
$10 and Bordatella (kennel cough) required by many kennels and grooming facilities
is available for $10.
For cats: FVRCPC (4 in 1) protects against feline Panleukopenia
virus, feline Rhinotracheitis, feline Calici virus and Chlamydia. The cost of this
vaccine is $10. The Feline Leukemia vaccine protects against the contagious leukemia
virus is available for $10.
Male cats: Your male cat will have an incision made on both sides
of the scrotum. The testicles are removed and tied off. There are no sutures; the
scrotum will simply heal and decrease in size within 1-2 weeks. The larger (older)
cats may have a larger amount of swelling making it appear that the testicles are
still present....they are not!
Female cats: An incision is made on the abdomen from which both
ovaries and the uterus are removed. The incision is closed using 2 layers of non-absorbable
suture. There is no suture removal necessary. The outside skin is sealed with a
layer of surgical glue which may make the incision appear blue/purple. This will
disappear shortly and the incision should begin to become less evident by 2 weeks
after surgery.
Male dogs: Both testicles are removed on male dogs using an incision
made just in front of the scrotum. The location of this incision does make licking/chewing
possible post-op; we strongly recommend Elizabethan collars for male dogs. The incision
is sutured using 2 layers of non-absorbable suture; no suture removal is necessary.
The outside skin is sealed with a layer of surgical glue which may make the incision
look blue/purple. This will disappear shortly and the incision should begin to become
less evident by 2 weeks after surgery.
Female dogs: An incision is made on the abdomen from which both
ovaries and the uterus are removed. The incision is closed using 2 layers of non-absorbable
suture. There is no suture removal necessary. The outside skin is sealed with a
layer of surgical glue, which may make the incision appear blue/purple. This will
disappear shortly and the incision should begin to become less evident by 2 weeks
after surgery.
Males: Neutered cats and dogs focus their attention on their human
families. On the other hand, unsterilized, unsupervised males roam in search of
a mate, risking injury in traffic and in fights with other males. Males mark territory
by spraying strong-smelling urine on surfaces. Dont confuse aggressiveness with
protectiveness; a neutered dog will protect his home and family just as well as
an unneutered dog, and many aggression problems can be avoided by early neutering.
Neutering a male cat or dog before six months of age prevents testicular cancer,
prostate disease and hernias.
Females: While their cycles vary greatly, most female cats exhibit
the following signs when in heat. For 4-5 days, every 2-3 weeks, they yowl and urinate
more frequently - sometimes all over the house - advertising for mates. Female dogs
in heat attract males from great distances. Female dogs generally have a bloody
discharge for about a week, and can conceive for another week or so. Spaying a female
cat or dog helps prevent pyometra (a pus-filled uterus) and breast cancer; having
this done before the first heat offers the best protection from these diseases.
Breast cancer can be fatal in about 30-50 percent of female dogs and 80-90 percent
of female cats.
Our Responsibility: Each year, millions of unwanted dogs and cats
are euthanized (killed) at shelters across the country. Although pet behavioral
problems are the main reasons animals are given to shelters, many orphans are the
result of accidental breeding by free-roaming, unaltered pets. The more pets spayed
or neutered, the fewer dogs and cats will have to be destroyed.