Question 1

Why spay and neuter?

Accepted Answer

Each year, millions of dogs and cats are euthanized in shelters due to overpopulation.  Spaying and neutering can help reduce this problem as well as address certain health and behavioral issues.

Question 2

What is a spay? What is a neuter?

Accepted Answer

A spay is the surgical removal of both ovaries and sometimes the uterus in females.  Spaying can greatly reduce the risk of mammary cancer (depending on age at time of surgery), cancers of the ovaries or uterus and emergency life-threatening uterine infections (pyometra).

A neuter is the surgical removal of the testicles in males with usually the scrotal sac left behind in most cases.  Neutering can decrease behavioral issues such as marking, roaming, and territorial aggression.  This procedure can also reduce risk of certain prostate problems and eliminates the risk of testicular cancer.

Question 3

When should my pet get spayed or neutered?

Accepted Answer

We will perform spay/neuter surgery on any healthy cat or dog starting at 3 pounds and 12 weeks of age.  If you are uncertain of your pet's weight, age, or general health status please make an appointment with your full-service veterinary clinic (FSV) for a physical exam, weight and age check, as well as to discuss the surgical procedure itself and the best timing for your pet's surgery.

Question 4

What's the difference between a spay/neuter clinic and a full-service clinic for spay & neuter surgery?

Accepted Answer

Great question! Spay/neuter clinics and full-service veterinary (FSV) clinics serve different purposes for pets and owners.  The biggest advantage of having spays and neuters done at a spay/neuter clinic is the quick surgical times, small incisions, and therefore usually quick recovery and healing times for healthy animals.  Full-service clinics are great for patients requiring very specific needs (specific anesthetic drugs and monitoring) as well as more individualized care (dedicated staff for each surgical patient), especially for patients with underlying conditions.  FSV clinics are also able to address a wider array of issues than a spay/neuter clinic.  Both types of clinics typically have low complication rates and good surgical outcomes.  Please consider the needs of your pet when making the decision for elective surgery and if you have any questions, please contact us or consult with your regular veterinarian about your pet's specific needs.

Question 5

Do you perform surgery on brachycephalic breeds?

Accepted Answer

Currently we are unable to accommodate the special anesthetic needs for most brachycephalic breeds.

Brachycephalic dog breeds include French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, Boxers, Bullmastiffs, Boston Terriers, Pekingese, Japanese Chins, Pugs, Shih Tzus, and others.

Brachycephalic cat breeds include Persians, Burmese, British/Exotic Shorthairs, Himalayans, Scottish Folds and others.

If you have a pet mixed with a brachycephalic breed, please email us a mug shot (one from the side and one from the front of the face) to see if surgery at our facility is appropriate before scheduling.  There may be additional requirements/charges for these patients.

Question 6

Will my pet get a spay/neuter tattoo?

Accepted Answer

All animals undergoing spay/neuter surgery at SNS will receive a mandatory tattoo to indicate the pet has been altered.  It is a small green line typically placed on the belly (females and male cats) or near the scrotum (male dogs).  The presence of a spay/neuter tattoo helps prevent unnecessary surgery should your pet go to a new owner or ever end up in a rescue or shelter organization.  SNS will not proceed with spay/neuter surgeries on animals if the tattoo is declined.

Question 7

How do I schedule my pet for surgery?

Accepted Answer

Please click BOOK NOW (https://clinichq.com/online/46cfd637-b6f1-4d4b-a6df-ed21079e8364)to access our online scheduling portal.  SNS only offers surgery appointments up to a month ahead so please check our website regularly for availability. A non-refundable, non-transferrable deposit is required at time of scheduling and will be applied towards your final bill on surgery day.

Please make sure your pet's weight is accurate when scheduling so that we can have the appropriate sized kennel available for your pet's visit.  If your pet is significantly heavier than the scheduled weight slot, you may be declined for surgery and your deposit forfeited or a $50 accommodation fee will be assessed if you are still wanting surgery for your pet and there is space available (in addition to the higher surgery price for the pet's weight range).  If you do not know your pet's weight, please come during our vaccine clinic hours (2 PM - 3 PM Monday-Thursday) to weigh your pet before booking an appointment.

If you have a pet with urgent spay/neuter needs (i.e. pyometra, pregnancy, prostatitis), please contact the clinic directly to discuss packages and scheduling.

Question 8

What if I need to reschedule my surgery appointment?

Accepted Answer

Please let us know by calling or emailing the clinic with at least 72-hours' notice by 7:30 AM if you need to reschedule or cancel. You can leave a voicemail if outside of business hours.  Failure to give proper notice will result in loss of the appointment deposit. Animals that show up for surgery and surgery is declined by you or by the attending veterinarian will also result in loss of the deposit.  If you need to schedule a new appointment due to missing the appointment or not giving proper notice, then a new deposit will be required.  Please also note that multiple rescheduling requests (even with proper notice) may result in no further appointments or require an additional/larger deposit.

Question 9

If my pet is on medications, can he/she still have surgery?

Accepted Answer

Depends.  Certain medications may increase the risk of surgical complications.  If your pet is on medications (i.e. antibiotics, steroids, insulin), supplements or even CBD-based products, please email us at spayneutersociety@gmail.com ((spayneutersociety@gmail.com))with the pet's medical record from your regular veterinarian for review.  A staff member will get back to you about any recommendations, including if having surgery done at our clinic is still appropriate.  Your pet's safety is very important to us so please let us know if he/she is on any medications or supplements!

Question 10

My pet is having surgery.  When should I get bloodwork done?

Accepted Answer

Pre-surgical bloodwork is optional but is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED especially for pets 5 years of age and older unless otherwise required by the veterinarian.  Bloodwork may be done through your regular vet up to 2 weeks before surgery or with us!  Please schedule a wellness appointment through our online scheduler (https://clinichq.com/online/46cfd637-b6f1-4d4b-a6df-ed21079e8364)at least 2 days before your surgery date to allow enough time for lab results to be returned and reviewed.  Wellness hours are Monday-Thursday from 2PM -3PM.

Results will be emailed to you along with any recommendations made by the vet and if surgery is approved.  Bloodwork done through your regular veterinarian should be emailed to us, uploaded during the online booking or dropped off at the clinic during business hours (M-Th 7:30AM-4:30PM) at least 48 hours before your surgery date to allow time for the veterinarian to review.  You must schedule your surgery appointment before coming in for bloodwork sample collection.

Question 11

What if my pet is declined for surgery?

Accepted Answer

If your pet is declined for medical reasons (has a pre-existing condition or abnormalities on bloodwork or pre-operative exam), the SNS staff will discuss any recommendations and whether rescheduling for a later date is an option or if your pet’s medical needs are better served by a full-service veterinary clinic.  The surgery deposit will not be refunded or transferred and will be used to cover the doctor and staff's time to examine your pet and make recommendations for your pet.  Reasons to decline surgery include, but are not limited to, abnormalities  observed on pre-operative exam, concerns about the pet's medical history, if the pet is found to be already spayed/neutered or if the owner chooses to decline surgery after discussing options with the staff/veterinarian.

Question 12

What is included in the surgery package?

Accepted Answer

Dogs:  pre-surgical exam (if the pet allows), short-acting anti-nausea medication for surgery, anesthesia, spay/neuter procedure, multiple medications for pain relief during the pet’s stay, e-collar, and oral pain medication to go home.

Cats: pre-surgical exam (if the pet allows), short-acting anti-nausea medication for surgery, anesthesia, spay/neuter procedure, multiple medications for pain relief during the pet's stay and a long-acting, slow release pain medication that lasts 72-96 hours after surgery.

If a pet does not allow a pre-operative exam, the exam will be performed after sedation with the understanding that there is some increased risk with sedation without knowing your pet's underlying cardiopulmonary health status.

Pain management is very important to us at Spay Neuter Society.  We accomplish this using a multi-modal approach (using different types of drugs) to treat different aspects of pain including the use of anti-inflammatories, opioids, and local anesthetics to numb the surgery site.  Our goal is to keep your pet as comfortable as possible before, during, and after the procedure.

A longer-acting anti-nausea medication (Cerenia) that lasts 24 hours is available for an additional fee.  This medication can help improve speed of recovery and even provide additional pain relief.  Please indicate if you want this additional medication at the time of booking or at check-in on your pet's surgery day.

There are additional charges for pregnancy, cryptorchidism (one or both testicles not in scrotum),  in-heat, being overweight, etc. Staff will either contact you before your appointment or discuss any additional fees during check-in. Please see our pricing list for further details. (https://spayneutersociety.com/spay-and-neuter-services#additonal-surgery-fees-options)

Question 13

What animals do you spay and neuter?

Accepted Answer

Dogs and cats only.

Question 14

Do you spay pregnant or in-heat animals?

Accepted Answer

Yes!  There is an additional fee for in-heat and pregnant pets (price depends on stage of pregnancy) and for other conditions that may be observed on preoperative exam or during surgery.  Pregnant spays terminate the pregnancy and fluids may also be given at the veterinarian's discretion at an additional cost. Please see our pricing list for further details.

There is some increased risk for complications when spaying in-heat or pregnant animals.  If you are concerned about the risk of an in-heat spay, then it is recommended to wait at least 3 months after the heat cycle (dogs) to spay as the tissues will be smaller and easier to handle.  Cats, however, should not wait as they can have multiple heat cycles back-to-back.  It is important to monitor your pet closely while she's in heat to avoid pregnancy.  Also be aware that after each heat cycle, your pet is at risk of developing an uterine infection (pyometra), which may require an emergency spay.

If you know your pet is pregnant and choose not to spay during pregnancy, then it is important to consider the following:
1. Am I financially prepared in case my pet needs emergency surgery/care because of complications with the pregnancy or the birthing of the pups/kittens? Some complications can be life-threatening to the mother, kittens/pups or both.
2. Am I able to provide adequate pre-natal care for the pregnant pet?  This may include regular vet check ups.
3. Do I have the resources to help care for kittens/puppies until they are old enough for adoption?  This includes providing food/water, shelter, socialization, and basic veterinary care such as puppy/kitten vaccinations & deworming +/- veterinary care if the kittens/puppies become sick.  Cats can have an average of 4-6 kittens per litter. Some dogs can have as many as 15+ puppies in one litter!
4. Am I going to be able to find good homes for all the puppies/kittens?  Shelters may not be able to take in puppies/kittens from unwanted litters as they often can be full or not have the resources needed to care for large numbers of animals.
5. Am I going to be able to get my pet in for a spay before she becomes pregnant again?  Many spay/neuter clinics and full-service vet clinics can be booked out for surgery weeks in advance.  Cats can go back into heat even while nursing kittens, potentially becoming pregnant again.

Question 15

What time is surgery check-in and pick up?

Accepted Answer

Surgery check-in starts at 7:30 AM for cats and 8:00 AM for dogs.  Pets arriving after 8:30 AM may be asked to reschedule or a late check-in fee assessed.  Upon arrival, stay in your car and please text 469.470.1331 with your name and your pet's name to let us know you have arrived and we will notify you when to enter the building with your pet. You should receive an automated text to indicate you have been added to the queue but please call us or come inside (without your pet) to notify us if you do not receive a reply text from us at check-in.  Since our lobby is small and patient safety is important, we kindly ask you wait for instructions before entering the building, if possible. Please note we check-in patients on a first come first serve basis.

All pets are ready for pick up starting at 3:30 PM.  A text will be sent to the number on file to notify about pick-up times.  Early pick up is at the discretion of the attending veterinarian. A late fee of $50 will be applied to pets picked up between 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM.  A boarding fee of $100/night will be applied to pets left overnight.  Please note there are no staff in the clinic overnight to monitor your pet.

Question 16

What should I do to prepare my pet for the visit?

Accepted Answer

Please submit all completed required surgery paperwork before your appointment to speed up check-in.  Vaccine records can be uploaded during the online booking, emailed to us or provided in-person at check-in.

All pets receiving surgery must be current on the following vaccinations:  DAPP & bordetella (dogs), FVRCP (cats), and rabies (cats & dogs).  Required vaccines will be given at surgery if not current for an additional fee.  All vaccine records must indicate that vaccinations were given under a veterinarian’s supervision to be accepted. Rabies tags will not be accepted as proof of rabies vaccination.

Upon arrival to the clinic, dogs must be on a secure leash or in a carrier.  Cats must be in a secure carrier.  If bringing more than one cat, each cat must be kept in separate carriers as the stress from exposure to new places and smells can lead to fights between cats when confined together before or after surgery.  We have cardboard carriers for cats for a cost of $15. Please allow at least 30-40 minutes to complete the check-in and check out process.

The night before surgery: For animals over 6 months of age, no food after midnight the night before surgery.  For animals under 6 months of age, a small meal (1/4 of normal amount) can be fed up until 6 am.  All animals can have water up until 6 am the morning of surgery. If animals are not appropriately fasted, they may vomit during surgery which is a choking risk and may result in complications requiring emergency care.

Question 17

Will my pet stay overnight?

Accepted Answer

No.  There is no staff to supervise your pet overnight.  A $100/night boarding fee will be added to your bill for animals left overnight.  Any animals not picked up by the end of the next day are considered abandoned and will be turned over to animal control.

Question 18

What forms of payment do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express), debit cards, cash, and Care Credit. No personal checks will be accepted. Payment is due in full on day services rendered.  To speed up check out, paying via our text link before coming to the clinic is highly recommended.

Question 19

How long is the recovery time after surgery?

Accepted Answer

It takes about 7-14 days for the surgery site to heal.  Please keep your pet exercise restricted during this time.  This means no running, jumping (including into/out of the car or onto furniture), playing, using the stairs, going on long walks or swimming.  For dogs, an e-collar has been provided to prevent your pet from disturbing the surgery site.  For cats, it may be helpful to use non-clumping litter during the recovery period to prevent dust getting into the incision.  Please ask us about mild sedatives if you feel your pet may be difficult to keep quiet during the recovery period. Mature male dogs and all male cats will have their incisions purposely left slightly open to allow for drainage and will close on its own over the next few days after surgery.

Question 20

Do any stitches need to be removed after surgery?

Accepted Answer

No, all sutures are internal and will dissolve over a few weeks after surgery.  A small amount of tissue glue may be present to protect the incision and tattoo site and will come off after a few days.

Question 21

What should I do if I have a post-operative concern?

Accepted Answer

Please make sure to check out our After Surgery Care (https://www.spayneutersociety.com/after-surgery-care)section for resources on post-operative care and monitoring.  If you still have concerns, please contact us at 469.240.5130 (7:30AM-4:30PM) or at spayneutersociety@gmail.com (spayneutersociety@gmail.com)regarding any concerns after surgery!  If sending an email, please provide a picture of the area of concern as well as any pertinent information like how the pet is doing, eating/drinking well/abnormally, etc.  We will do our best to get back to you as soon as possible and to treat complications/concerns related to surgery at our clinic at minimal cost.  Please DO NOT text our texting number as we only use it for checking in and checking out purposes.  We are not a 24-hour facility, therefore if your pet is in distress or your concern is urgent, please call or go to your nearest full-service or emergency veterinary hospital.  Please note any concerns or complications treated outside of our clinic are your financial responsibility and are not eligible for reimbursement.

Question 22

Do you offer wellness exams?

Accepted Answer

No, we currently only offer spay/neuter services and vaccine clinics.

Question 23

What is a full-service veterinary (FSV) clinic?

Accepted Answer

A full-service veterinary (FSV) clinic may also be known as a general practice veterinary clinic.  These veterinary practices offer more testing and treatment options than wellness or spay/neuter clinics.  We will notify owners if there is a concern about their pet that would be better addressed at a FSV clinic.  It is important to establish a relationship with a FSV clinic for when there are concerns regarding your pet'ss health.

Question 24

Where do I take my pet for vaccine boosters?

Accepted Answer

We offer a vaccine clinic by appointment (https://clinichq.com/online/46cfd637-b6f1-4d4b-a6df-ed21079e8364)on Monday-Thursday from 2PM - 3PM.  You may also take your pet back to your regular veterinarian for any subsequent vaccination needs.

Question 25

Do you recommend any other vaccinations or basic preventative care?

Accepted Answer

Dogs:
Each individual pet may have specific preventative care needs depending on their life style and should be discussed with your regular full-service veterinarian.  
 • The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) provides a standard set of guidelines for canine vaccination recommendations.(https://www.aaha.org/aaha-guidelines/2022-aaha-canine-vaccination-guidelines/home/)  
 • Rabies vaccination laws can have variations by state, which can be found at www.rabiesaware.org (https://rabiesaware.org/)
 • The state of Texas has the 3rd highest number of heartworm disease cases as reported by the American Heartworm Society (https://www.heartwormsociety.org/pet-owner-resources)and as such, annual heartworm testing and year-round heartworm prevention is highly recommended for all dogs.  
 • Fleas, ticks and other parasites such as roundworms and hookworms are also prevalent in the southern United States so good quality flea/tick control and regular deworming is also recommended.  
 • Checking bloodwork each year along with a comprehensive physical exam is also recommended to look for any changes in your pet's health over time.

Cats:
 • Although many cats are indoors, they still require preventative care and regular check ups!  Since our feline friends do not live in an isolated bubble, they are still susceptible to catching illness.  We can bring home diseases and parasites on our clothes or shoes, on packages or from other animals in the household such as dogs who go outside or when we take in a stray cat/dog. 
 • AAHA and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) provide a standard set of guidelines for feline vaccination recommendations (https://www.aaha.org/aaha-guidelines/2020-aahaaafp-feline-vaccination-guidelines/feline-vaccination-home/)as well as recommendations on FeLV/FIV testing & management.(https://catvets.com/guidelines/practice-guidelines/retrovirus-management-guidelines) 
 • Cats are great at hiding their symptoms and when owners start to notice, they are likely sicker than they appear so it important they are seen regularly by a full-service veterinarian for examination, bloodwork, vaccines and for prevention products.

The Companion Animal Parasite Council (https://capcvet.org/)is also a great resource for learning about parasites and how common they are in your specific region of the United States!  Parasite control is important as some parasites found in dogs and cats can carry diseases that can affect you and your family.  Please discuss with your full-service veterinarian about the best preventative product for your pet's lifestyle and needs.

Question 26

Do you have an online pharmacy?

Accepted Answer

Yes!  Please check out our online pharmacy (https://spayneutersociety.ourvet.com/pet/)for other flea, tick, and heartworm products that we don't carry in the clinic.  You will need to create an account to access the online pharmacy.  Browse the selection of products available, make your selection & pick your delivery option.  The online pharmacy will send the request to our clinic for approval.  Please allow at least 1-2 business days (3-4 business days if during holidays) for requests to be approved.  Please note if your pet gets a heartworm test at our clinic with no same-day purchase of heartworm prevention, there is a 4 week grace period to still request heartworm prevention without requiring heartworm testing again.

Question 27

What can I do if my pet is fearful, anxious or aggressive when going to the vet or meeting new people?

Accepted Answer

We understand going outside one’s comfort zone can be scary!  If your pet has been very anxious or fearful in a vet clinic in the past, please let us know BEFORE your appointment so we can make accommodations for a safer and more comfortable visit for pets and staff.  We may reschedule the appointment or decline service if we are not given adequate notice about your pet’s behavioral needs.

Question 28

Do you perform declaws (surgical removal of the claws) on cats?

Accepted Answer

No.

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