Pre-Surgery

**The following guidelines are pre-surgical requirements set by The Humane Society to ensure a safe and efficient operating environment. The Humane Society makes no exception to these guidelines, so please read them carefully.

  • Surgeries are performed Monday – Thursday by appointment only. Check-in is between 7:00am-8:00am. If you arrive after 8:00am, your pet is not guaranteed to be seen for surgery and may be required to reschedule your appointment. No pets will be accepted after 8:30am.
  • Pick-up is between 3:00pm-4:30pm the same day of your pet’s surgery.
  • All pets must be in good health.
  • All pets must either have written proof of rabies and distemper vaccinations administered by a veterinarian or be scheduled to receive them on the day of surgery.
  • All dogs must be on a leash.
  • Domestic cats must be free of all collars and/or harnesses and must come in separate clean, hard plastic carriers with working gated fronts. Soft carriers, triangular carriers, dog crates, cardboard boxes, etc. are NOT acceptable. They place our staff and your pet at risk.
  • Feral cats must be in humane traps with only one cat per trap, and you must also bring separate clean, hard plastic carriers for them. Please contact us at 803-783-1267 or [email protected] if you are interested in bringing a feral cat for surgery. We no longer accept walk-ins for feral cats. Feral cats may be required to stay overnight at the discretion of the veterinarian on staff. We work feral cats into our normal surgical schedule and there is no guarantee we are able to accept ferals for surgery. Please bring only 1-2 feral cats per day.
  • Your pet should receive NO FOOD, WATER or INGEST ANY SUBSTANCE* after midnight the night before surgery.
    *Including but not limited to: grass, bark, pine cones, bones, rocks,candy and/or food wrappers, rainwater, etc.

Animals not meeting these requirements are subject to rescheduling at the sole discretion of The Humane Society. The Humane Society reserves the right to refuse any animal. All surgical deposits are non-refundable. Complication fees for late arrivals, rescheduling, unsuitable carriers, etc. may be levied. Pick up times may vary depending upon surgical performance. The Humane society reserves the right to hold pets overnight.

Post-Surgery

**The most important aspect of post-surgical care is your ability and willingness to keep your pet INDOORS AND CONFINED TO A SMALL AREA. Failure to do so may result in serious injury to your pet and large veterinary bills. You are responsible for any follow-up veterinary bills in their entirety.

  • Anesthesia may cause stomach upset. Please restrict the amount of food and water your animal has access to immediately upon returning home. After 6:30pm, offer only two tablespoons of food and one-fourth of a cup or less of water. Attempt to have your pet eat and drink SLOWLY. Do not be concerned if your animal does not want to eat for the first twelve to twenty-four hours following surgery. If vomiting occurs, remove their food until morning. Puppies and kittens less than four months old can be offered two tablespoons of food and one-fourth of a cup of water as soon as they arrive home.
  • Keep cats individually in their carriers at least throughout the night of their surgery. Cats may experience hallucinations and could injure other pets or family members by accident. Surgery and anesthesia impair your pet’s ability to handle extremes of heat or cold. Male cats need to use shredded newspaper or “Yesterday’s News” cat litter for at least seven days.
  • Keep dogs in their carriers or a small room, if possible, at least throughout the night of their surgery. Do not leave your pet unattended or unsupervised outside. Surgery and anesthesia impair your pet’s ability to handle extremes of heat or cold.
  • Keep your pet in a confined area, away from other dogs, cats and children for a day. For the next five to seven days, keep your pet in a clean environment, which should be quiet, warm, and dry. This is mandatory for dogs and cats that live outside as well. Do not place them in a high place (i.e. a bed, a sofa, etc.).
  • Restrict your pet’s activity for seven to fourteen days after surgery. Prohibit running, jumping and rough play.
  • Do not wash or clean incision, and do not allow your pet to get wet for at least seven days after surgery.
  • Check your pet’s incision twice a day (once in the morning and once at night) until healed. A small amount of blood seepage is normal immediately after surgery. Some redness and swelling of the incision is expected. If there is continued bleeding, discharge or a wound opening, please call The Humane Society Spay/Neuter Clinic or your veterinarian.
  • Keep your pet from licking the incision. If you are not sure that you can manage this, we recommend buying an “E-Collar” from us. The cost is determined by size(between $10.00-$16.00). It fits around the neck and should be worn for five to seven days. Your pet will not be able to eat or drink while wearing the collar.
  • If there is damage done to the incision by your pet (usually by licking or chewing), please consult The Humane Society Spay/Neuter Clinic first, and then with your veterinarian. It is better to prevent this problem than have the pet undergo unnecessary anesthesia to repair the incision.
  • Please DO NOT give aspirin or Tylenol® to your pet for pain relief. These medications can be deadly.
  • Males remain fertile for four weeks after surgery, and females may bleed for about ten days after surgery, if they were in heat. Females in heat may have some bloody discharge for a few days, which is due to hormonal influences and is normal. Allowing them to mate after surgery can be life-threatening.

If you have any questions about your pet’s condition, please contact The Humane Society between 9:00am-5:00pm. Pets are released the same day of their surgery. You are responsible for after-hour care. Please have on-hand the phone number of an emergency animal hospital near your home. In case of an emergency or after hour care, please contact:

South Carolina Veterinary Emergency Care
3924 Fernandina Rd.
Columbia, SC 29210
803-561-0015

CVETS
1321 Oakcrest Dr.
Columbia, SC
803-995-8913