Spay/Neuter
At GPG we aim to have all our foster pets be spayed or neutered at intake and prior to leaving for foster. At times this is not possible due to scheduling conflicts or medical needs of the foster pet. If you foster pet was not fixed upon intake we will notify you of their surgery date. If you can not make it the morning of the surgery you can drop off the pet the night before (we close at 7pm). To arrange this please email vetting@gatewaypets.org. If you are dropping off the day off please do so between 7:15 and 7:45 a.m. and pick up between 2:00 and 6 p.m. the same day of surgery. If the pet has an adopter lined up, they can pick up as well. If no one answers the door at drop off, please text or call (636) 674-6009.
Below are tips on how to handle your foster pet after their spay/neuter.
Post Spay/Neuter Tips:
Keep the animal inside and away from other animals that they will want to play with during the recovery period. Use a crate or inside tether as necessary to keep the animal from over-exerting itself.
Don’t let the dog run around and jump on and off things for up to two weeks after surgery, or as long as the vet advises. Use a leash for potty breaks outside in the yard if the animal is prone to run around a lot.
Ensure the animal is unable to lick its incision site by using an Elizabethan collar (popularly known as the “cone of shame”) if necessary, or other methods as recommended.
Check the incision every day to make sure it’s healing properly. If you see significant redness, swelling or discharge, e-mail vetting@gatewaypets.org
If the animal's incision is still looking great after the first 4 or 5 days, you can allow it to increase its activity level a little, but keep checking the incision to make sure this is tolerated.
Don’t bathe the pet or allow it to get wet for at least 14 days post-surgery.
E-mail vetting@gatewaypets.org if the pet is uncomfortable, lethargic, eating less, vomiting or has diarrhea after the first night.
Give all pain medications and other medications as directed (usually starting the next morning after the surgery.)
NEVER give any OTC medications for pain. If you are having difficulty keeping the animal calm, you can give an appropriate dose of Benadryl (diphenhydramine) for the first night if the animal does not have any other medical conditions or medications that will interact with this. Call the vet the next day they are open to ask about getting a sedating medication to use after that.
Check to make sure that you understand the particular incision for your foster pet. Most animals (but not all) will be given internal dissolvable stitches, but their incision may often be closed on the outside with surgical glue, which will dissolve and cause the wound to reopen if licked or if it otherwise gets wet. If they are given stitches that must be removed in 10-14 days (but licking or getting wet will often lead to infection).