Spay/Neuter Surgery: What to Expect
Q: WHERE DO I GO?
WHAT TIME SHOULD WE BE THERE?
A: Sunday Sept 24 / 10am.
401 26th St, Oakland, CA 94612.
Veterinarians Dr. Carl Jameson (Plaza Veterinary Clinic) and Dr. Debra D’Angelo will be doing surgeries.
Our spay/neuter van will be set up inside the very comfortable Uptown Body & Fender (I know it sounds weird, but you and your dog will love the setting.)
TEXT us when you arrive
510-414-6461 so we can tell you where to park.
IMPORTANT: No breakfast for your dog on Sunday morning Sept 24
IMPORTANT: If you think your dog will be stressed and possibly hard to handle, let us know in advance so our trainers can help you both.
IMPORTANT: If you have to cancel, please let us know within 24hrs of the morning of the event so we can give your spot to another dog. No-Shows and people who cancel last minute will no longer be eligible for our program help.
IMPORTANT: Bring PROOF of RABIES. If your dog isn’t current, we’ll get him or her up to date after surgery.
IMPORTANT: Bring a DOG BED with you so your dog has a comfortable place to relax during the wait for surgery and as he wakes up. And bring a lunch or snacks for you.
Q: WHAT’S THE COST? Pay-What-You-Can!
A: You indicated on your webform the amount you were able to pay to help us offset the costs of the surgery. If you can give more, we appreciate.
How to donate: You can bring us the donation when we meet or send it online:DONATION LINK Thank you.
Q: HOW LONG DOES THE SURGERY TAKE?
A: The spay takes 20-30 minutes, and a neuter lasts about 10 minutes. However, it’s a busy day and the veterinarians will decide in which order surgeries happen, so you can expect to wait some time before your dog is prepped for surgery, then you’ll wait some more while your dog sleeps off the anesthesia. In general, from registration until your dog wakes up may take several hours, depending on how many dogs show up and whether any dogs have complications or need extra procedures like tumor removal, etc. If you have time constraints, please let us know during registration.
Q: DO I STAY WITH MY DOG or LEAVE HIM WITH YOU?
A: You’re welcome to do either. Many choose to sit with their dog during the wait and can hold them while the vet staff sedates them before surgery. If you plan to stay, you might want to bring a lunch. If you choose to drop off your dog after you fill out your paperwork, we will call you once they’re awake after surgery. We ask that you are no more than 20 minutes away from the event so that you can pick up your dog in a timely manner.
Q: CAN A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER DROP HIM OFF FOR ME?
A: Yes! We just need to know in advance so we can email you a registration form to fill out and send with the person bringing your dog. We need consent from the dog’s owner, so it’s important you fill out the paperwork and sign the forms. We still need the dog there at 10:00-10:30am for surgery registration, and ask that whoever is picking up the dog be no more than 20 minutes away so that the dog can be picked up in timely manner. (We will call once the dog is awake and ready to go.)
Q: WILL IT HURT?
A: All dogs get a pain blocker before the surgery and go home with pain meds. Many dogs don’t show any sign of discomfort post-surgery, although as the incision can be itchy as it heals. Your dog will go home with an e-collar to keep him or her from chewing or licking the surgery site and introducing it to germs.
Q: WHAT IS THE RECOVERY LIKE?
A. Most dogs are still groggy from the anesthesia when they go home so you’ll want to set up a safe, quiet place to rest, away from other dogs and children. Indoors is best since your dog’s incision needs to stay clean and dry in order to heal correctly.
He may or may not want a light meal the evening after the surgery.
Male dogs and younger dogs tend to bounce back quickly – within a day in many cases – but you’ll need to prevent them from rough housing for at least a week to 10 days. Females tend to experience more discomfort than males, so plan to baby her a bit.
The most common complication we see after spay/neuter surgeries is infection at the incision site from licking, so tell your whole family to be vigilant about keeping your dog’s cone on. If your dog destroys his cone or he’s able to ‘work around’ it and lick his incision, you may need to buy a new one at your local pet food store. Duct tape does a great job holding beat up cones together if it gets damaged.
Q: MY DOG IS NOT A PIT BULL. CAN YOU STILL HELP ME?
A: Since we’re pit bull advocacy group, pit bulls and pit bull mixes get priority. If you have something other than a pit bull, you’re welcome to request a surgery just the same, or, come to the event and wait and see if there is no-show or an open slot. Check HERE for spay/neuter resources for non-pit bulls.
Q: WILL SOMEBODY THERE SPEAK SPANISH?
A: Sí! We try to have volunteers who speak Spanish at every event.
