PreOperative Instructions

1. Do not bring your pet in for surgery if it is sneezing, wheezing, having trouble breathing or in any way appears to be in ill health. Call the Clinic at 973-282-0890 as soon as possible to reschedule your pet for surgery. There is no additional charge for rescheduling due to health reasons. If your pet appears to be ill before surgery, take him to your regular veterinarian for an exam and treatment. Ask your veterinarian for a note stating that your pet is healthy to undergo surgery. Bring this note with you when you come in for your rescheduled surgery appointment. If your female DOG is in heat (bleeding), please call to reschedule your appointment.

2. There is a $10 charge for surgery appointment changes that are not made at least 48 hours (2 days) in advance.

3. DO NOT GIVE YOUR PET FOOD OR WATER AFTER 10:00 PM THE NIGHT BEFORE SURGERY. If food or water is consumed after 10 p.m., call the Clinic to reschedule surgery. This is critical for the safety of your pet. Your pet could die if food or water is in its stomach. All animals must be kept indoors the night before surgery and must also be kept indoors for ten days after surgery. Dogs should be taken outdoors only for the purpose of urinating, etc.

4. Heartworm tests are recommended for all dogs. If your dog has not been tested, it is recommended that it be done prior to surgery but it is not a requirement for surgery. If you are not familiar with heartworm, please take a free pamphlet available in the Clinic waiting room.

5. When you bring your pet to the clinic, all dogs must be on leashes and all cats must be in INDIVIDUAL carriers. If your cat is transported in a box, you will be required to purchase a cat carrier.

6. No animal is allowed to stay overnight at the Clinic after surgery. At the time of your pet's preoperative exam, surgery is scheduled and you are given a specific time to pick up the animal. If you cannot pick up you animal during the specified hours, you must reschedule the appointment. There is a $25 fee for animals picked up late.

7. Vaccines such as CVR (3 in 1) for cats and DHPP (4 in 1) for dogs, and rabies for both cats and dogs are included in our fee. Please let us know if your pet needs to be vaccinated. We recommend that if this your pet's first CVR or DHPP vaccination, your pet should have another in 3 to 4 weeks. You must see your regular veterinarian for these follow-up shots. Any animal that has not been vaccinated for rabies must receive a rabies vaccine the day of surgery. Cat nails will be trimmed at the time of surgery.

8. We recommend that you buy an Elizabethan collar for your pet to prevent your pet from opening its stitches ($5 to $7 depending on size). If you would like the PFA staff to put the collar on your pet prior to pickup, you must purchase it in the morning during drop-off. In addition, your pet must have a buckle or snap collar on (choke collars will not work). Buckle and snap collars may also be purchased at our Clinic.

9. We have for sale and recommend post-surgical litter for use after surgery. Regular cat litter can cause irritation or infection to the incision area. We also have for sale and recommend a soothing antipruritic spray called "Relief" which is used for relief of itching discomfort due to surgery and stitches.

10. Cat nails will be trimmed at the time of surgery.

PostOperative Instructions

1. WATER - Upon returning home, give dogs some ice cubes to lick. Wait until 8:00 p.m. before giving cats a small amout of water to drink.

2. FOOD - Do not feed your pet tonight. Tomorrow, you may feed your pet one-half of its normal amount of food and some water. On the second day, you may return to your pet's normal feeding schedule and quantity of food and water.

3. EXERCISE - Upon returning home, keep your pet in a quiet area where it will not be disturbed by young children or other pets while it recovers from the effects of the anesthesia, which can last for up to 24 hours. Cats should stay in the carrier until 8:00 p.m. You may then open the door to the carrier and allow the cat to come out on its own. Although People for Animals advises people to keep their cats indoors, if your cat does go out, keep it indoors for 10 days. Discourage exercise for at least 10 days for cats and dogs.

4. SURGERY AREA - Check the surgery area daily. If you see redness, swelling, oozing or bleeding, call our Clinic immediately at 973 282-0890.

5. STITCHES - Stitches should dissolve in 4 to 8 weeks (male cats do not have stitches). If the stitches appear to irritate your pet or are still intact after 8 weeks, call the Clinic for an appointment to have them removed.

6. LICKING AND BITING - Discourage excessive licking and biting at the surgical site. Your pet can lick or chew out the stitches. We ask all of our clients to purchase an Elizabethan collar and "Relief" spray to prevent licking and chewing. These are available for sale at our Clinic. The collar should be kept on your pet for 10 days (male cats for 3 days).

7. LITTER for CATS - Use shredded paper instead of regular litter for 10 days. If your cat is reluctant to use the paper, sprinkle a handful of litter over the paper. For your convenience, we sell a post-surgical litter product which is dust free and resembles regular litter.

8. WALKING for DOGS - Walk your dog on a leash for 10 days and never leave it unattended outside.

9. BATHS - Do not bathe your pet for at least 10 days after surgery.

10. FLEA COLLARS - Do not put a flea collar on your pet for at least 10 days after surgery. Products such as Frontline and Revolution are allowed immediately.

11. COUPON - You will receive a coupon. Bring it to your veterinarian on your next visit. The items circled indicate the services provided for your pet. They should be added to your pet's permanent health record.

UNLESS ALL INSSTRUCTIONS ARE CARRIED OUT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT, PEOPLE FOR ANIMALS IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY EMERGENCY CARE.