What you need to know before your pets surgery.

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  • If your pet is 4 months of age or older, no food of any kind after midnight the night before surgery. Water is ok.
  • Cats must be brought in a carrier of some kind. If you do not have a carrier for your cat, you can purchase a cardboard carrier for $6.00.
  • Upon arrival, please leave your dog in your vehicle until after you have finished the check-in paperwork. We will let you know when you are able bring your dog inside.
  • Check-in time is between 8 - 8:30 AM.
  • If you arrive after 8:30 AM we may not be able to admit your pet for surgery and you will have to reschedule.
  • Animals are picked up at 7:30 am the morning after surgery. If your animal is not picked up by 9 am there will be a boarding charge of no more than $20 a day.
  • Animals having surgery on Friday are picked up the same day between 3:30-4 pm.
  • Animals must be kept indoors the night before surgery.
  • We require that you have a current rabies vaccination for your pet. If your pet does not have a rabies vaccine, we will administer it at the time of surgery for a charge of $10.00. If your pet does have a rabies vaccine, please bring in the rabies certificate. *Rabies tags are not proof of vaccinations.
  • We require that all animals over the age of 8 years have pre-anesthetic blood work  done by your regular veterinarian prior to your pets surgery. Results must be brought to the clinic on the day of surgery.
  • Remember, picking up after your dog is the law! If you need a poop bag, please ask.

What to expect once your pet is home after surgery.

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  • No running, jumping, playing, swimming or other strenuous activity for 7 to 10 days. Keep your pet quiet. 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 and cats kept indoors.
  • 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. If this occurs, an Elizabethan collar MUST be applied to prevent it.
  • Do not change your pet’s diet at this time and do not give junk food, table scraps, milk or any other people food during the recovery period. This could mask post-surgical complications. Appetite should return gradually within 24 hours of surgery. Lethargy lasting for more than 24 hours after surgery, diarrhea, or vomiting are not normal and your pet should be taken to your regular veterinarian. Animals may have a slight cough for a few days after surgery.
  • Your pet received a green tattoo next to their incision. This tattoo is a scoring process in the skin; IT IS NOT AN EXTRA INCISION.

Northland Spay/Neuter will see post-surgical rechecks. You may be referred to your regular veterinarian for further treatment or to address illnesses or injuries that are not a direct result of surgery.

Please call 218-623-6342 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.

If you have an emergency after hours please call the Emergency Veterinary Services at 218-302-8000.