Frequently Asked
Questions

Cats normally go into heat around six months of age but it can be as early as five months of age. It varies for dogs. Small breed dogs can be 6 months. Larger breed dogs are usually later – on average between 6-12 months of age.

Your cat will be more affectionate. When you’re petting her, she may raise her hind end in the air, get low to the ground, and purr like crazy. She will begin calling. This yowling can go on around the clock. She will lift her tail and sprays urine on vertical objects, like walls, doors and furniture rather than on the floor or carpet. For dogs, the vulva swells and there is a bloody vaginal discharge.

Cats – Usually about 7 days; Dogs – Usually about 9 days.

Cats can be as often as every 2-3 weeks. Dogs usually twice a year – every 6-8 months.

Yes, but there may be an extra charge.

No, females spayed prior to their first heat cycle are at less risk for breast tumors.

No, absolutely not. Letting your pet produce offspring you have no intention of keeping teaches your children irresponsibility. Anyone who has seen an animal euthanized in a shelter for lack of a home knows the truth behind this dangerous myth.

Yes. The sooner you can bring them in, the better. There may be an extra charge.

Yes.

Yes, they can create their own litters. You don’t want that to happen.

Cats usually 64 days; Dogs usually 65 days.

Ten weeks. Puppies and kittens should be 8 weeks of age and must be eating and drinking on their own prior to their mother’s surgery. Be sure that lactating animals do not nurse for at least two weeks before the day of their surgery.

IF YOU ARE BRINGING A CAT…

1) Eligibility Documentation (see required documentation)

2) If your pet has current vaccination records please bring them. If your pet has a current rabies vaccine, we need to see the actual rabies certificate.

3) Cats must be in a clean secure pet carrier commercially manufactured for the purpose of transporting cats. We do not accept cats in cardboard boxes, plastic totes, laundry baskets, or other non-standard or homemade devices.

4) Cats must be in separate carriers. If you have multiple cats in one carrier when you arrive, you will be asked to transfer your cat(s) to one of our cardboard carriers to go home ($5.00 each).

5) Payment: We accept cash, credit or debit card (no personal checks).

IF YOU QUALIFY FOR MADDIE’S SPAY/NEUTER PROJECT FOR CATS…

1) Eligibility Documentation…(see required documentation)

2) If your pet has current vaccination records please bring them. If your pet has a current rabies vaccine, we need to see the actual rabies certificate.

3) Cats must be in a clean secure pet carrier commercially manufactured for the purpose of transporting cats. We do not accept cats in cardboard boxes, plastic totes, laundry baskets, or other non-standard or homemade devices.

4) Cats must be in separate carriers. If you have multiple cats in one carrier when you arrive, you will be asked to transfer your cat(s) to one of our cardboard carriers to go home ($5.00 each).

5) Payment: We accept cash, credit or debit card

IF YOU ARE BRINGING A DOG…

1) Eligibility Documentation (see required documentation)

2) Dogs must be under control on a leash or in a pet carrier.

3) If your pet has current vaccination records please bring them. If your pet has a current rabies vaccine, we need to see the actual rabies certificate.

4) Payment: We accept cash, credit or debit card (no personal checks).

Our veterinarians perform a pre-operative physical examination to make sure that your pet is a good candidate for surgery. If your pet is too fractious to handle, a physical exam will be performed under anesthesia. Feral cats get their exam under anesthesia. If your pet is showing signs of illness or if there are any concerns (such as a heart murmur, severe upper respiratory infection, obesity, food in stomach) we may refuse surgery if we feel surgery is a health risk.

Yes, of course we do. The comfort and safety of the animal is important to us. Our patients are anesthetized with safe anesthetic agents. They receive anesthetic monitoring via pulse oximetry which measures heart rate and oxygen levels.

Animals receives pain medication before they feel any pain. All patients receive pain medication before surgery and prior to release. Additional pain medication is sent home only if we feel it’s necessary.

Our veterinarians are licensed in the State of New York and are highly experienced and skilled in high-quality and high-volume surgical techniques. Our licensed veterinary technicians are our “surgical nurses”. They assist the doctor and help make sure the animals are well cared for.

This is a tattoo. All female cats, female dogs, and male dogs receive a small green tattoo on the incision line. This permanently identifies animal as sterilized. Tattoos are generally not placed on male cats.

The recovery period is 7-10 days. You need to restrict your pet’s activity and keep him/her indoors. You also need to watch their incision closely. We will give you a complete list of post-op instructions when you pick your pet up.

Unless you are told otherwise, your pet does not have external sutures. All sutures are absorbable on the inside. The very outer layer of skin is held together with surgical glue. If you are told that your pet has skin sutures or skin staples, he/she will need to return in 7-10 days to have those removed. Male cats do not have any sutures.

Yes. This could cause the wound to re-open and become infected.

You can buy Bitter Apple or Lickguard (we sell them or you can buy at Walmart/PetSmart). If that doesn’t work, you need an E-collar (we sell them for $10 or you can get at your veterinarian, PetSmart, PETCO).

It is VERY important that you follow the after-surgery instructions provided to you at discharge during the post-op period. Please call us immediately if you think your pet is having a problem related to spay/neuter surgery. Your regular veterinarian must address illnesses or injuries that are not a direct result of surgery.

We will make an appointment for you to bring your pet in for us to take a look at it. There is no charge for us to re-check your pet but there may be a minimal cost for medication if needed (such as antibioticstore.online) or an e-collar.

If the problem occurs outside of our normal business hours or if there is an emergency when Operation PETS is not open, please call your regular veterinarian or one of the following 24-hour veterinary emergency hospitals for medical assistance.