Animal Hospital of South Milwaukee Surgical Programs
For all surgical and anesthetic procedures your pet should be on
an empty stomach for at least 12 hours prior and should not be
given any food or water until at least 6-8 hours following the
procedure. When you pick up your pet following surgery, you will
be given specific instructions to ensure your pet's full recovery
Declawing in Cats (Onychectomy)
General Information: Scratching with the front claws is normal, instinctive behavior for cats. The purpose of this
activity is to remove old, worn fragments of nails. Though scratching is normal for cats, this
behaviour can be destructive and costly at home. For many cat owners, declawing is the
only solution. A declawed cat should be confined indoors, since the claws are it's primary means of
defence. A house cat has little need for defence and is a more suitable house pet
because it can no longer ruin furniture or scratch people.
Surgical Procedures:
Declawing (onychectomy) is performed under general anesthesia and consists of surgical
removal of the nail bed. The feet are usually bandage, and the cat me be hospitalized
briefly. After the bandages are removed, your pet will be able to walk normally, though
tenderness may be evident for a few days..
Home Care:
Exercise: Restricting exercise is difficult, however, you should prevent your cat from
jumping as much as possible for the first 14 days.
Bleeding: Occasionally a cat breaks open one of the small scabs where the nail was
removed. A few drops of blood followed by a rapid cessation of bleeding is normal. Call
the doctor if the bleeding persists.
Litter Box: Follow the instructions from your veterinarian.
Notify us immediately if:
Your cat's feet appear swollen or bleed frequently
Your pet is reluctant to walk
There is a change in your cat's general health or behaviour
Canine Castration (Neuter)
General Information: Castration is the surgical removal of the testicles. Such surgery is performed to eliminate
sexual activities and render the dog sterile. Castration usually, but not always, reduces a
dog's tendency to roam and fight. The general level of aggression may also be reduced.
However, castration is not a replacement for obedience training by the owner.
Your pet will be given a preoperative physical examination to help ensure its safety during
anesthesia and surgery. Recovery is generally uneventful, the hospital stay is short, and
aftercare is minimal.
All neutered dogs will be sent home with an e-collar which should be used for the entire
recovery period.
Home Care:
Check the incision site every day for heat, pain, redness, swelling, or oozing. If this is
observed, please call our clinic for further instruction.
Do not allow your pet to lick at his incision as this will impede the healing process. If this
is occurring, please call us to get an Elizabethan collar to prevent licking.
Watch for signs of lethargy, depression, weakness, and loss of appetite as these signs
can be early indicators of infection. Please all us sooner rather than later.
Exercise should be restricted for 48 hours after surgery. No running or jumping.
Do not bathe your pet for 10 days after surgery.
Arrange for an appointment for a re-check and sutures to be removed (at no charge) in
10 days after surgery.
Notify us immediately if:
Your pet chews or damages the incision
you see swelling/discharge from the incision
site
if your pet seems depressed or refuses to eat
if your pet's incision site is red or
swollen or oozes pus or blood.
Canine Ovariohysterectomy (Spay)
General Information: Ovariohysterectomy is the medical term for spaying female dogs. The procedure consists
of surgical removal of the ovaries and the uterus. If ovaries are not removed, the
bothersome heat periods still occur even though pregnancy is impossible. Surgery is
usually performed at 5-9 months of age.
Prevention of pregnancy and heat periods is the main reason for the surgery, but the
procedure is also performed in treating severe uterine infections, ovarian and uterine
cancer, and some skin disorders.
Home Care:
Check the incision site every day for heat, pain, redness, swelling, or oozing. If this is
observed, please call our clinic for further instruction.
Do not allow your pet to lick at her incision as this will impede the healing process. If this
is occurring, please call us to get an Elizabethan collar to prevent licking.
Watch for signs of lethargy, depression, weakness, and loss of appetite as these signs
can be early indicators of infection. Please all us sooner rather than later.
Exercise should be restricted for 10 days after surgery to leash walks only. No running
or jumping.
Do not bathe your pet for 10 days after surgery.
Arrange for an appointment for a re-check and sutures to be removed (at no charge) in
10 days after surgery.
Notify us immediately if:
Your pet chews or damages the incision or if you see swelling/discharge from the incision
site; if your pet seems depressed or refuses to eat; if your pet's incision site is red or
swollen or oozes pus or blood.
Feline Castration (Neuter)
General Information: Castration is the surgical removal of the testicles. The main advantages of neutering are
that the tendencies toward aggression and roaming (especially when around females in
season) are lessened. When a cat is castrated just before sexual maturity at 6-8 months of
age, his sexual instincts are reduced, and he becomes sterile. However, castrated cats
may still want to go outdoors to hunt. The objectionable urine odor of the mature male cat
and the tendency to "spray" with urine is also reduced.
Your pet is given a preoperative physical examination to help ensure his safety during
anesthesia and surgery. The operation is performed under general anesthesia. Recovery
is generally uneventful, the hospital stay is short and aftercare is minimal. There are no
sutures to be removed. First the patient is placed under a short anesthesia. Then, using
sterile technique, two incisions are made in each scrotum and each testicle is removed
while taking care to ligate (meaning to tie off) all of the blood vessels. Once the patient is
fully awake and mobile they are free to go home.
Home Care:
Check the scrotal area each day for swelling, oozing, or irritation. If this is observed,
please call our clinic for further instructions.
Watch for signs of lethargy, depression, weakness, and loss of appetite as these signs
can be early indicators of infection. Please call us sooner rather than later.
Do not bathe your pet for 10 days after surgery.
There are no sutures that will require removal.
Notify us immediately if:
You notice blood in the urine, your cat vomits or is reluctant to eat for longer than 24 hours,
your cat seems depressed or lethargic for longer than 24 hours, or if you notice any
swelling or bleeding at the incision site
Feline Ovariohysterectomy (Spay)
General Information: Ovariohysterectomy is the medical term for spaying female cats. The procedure consists
of surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus. If ovaries are not removed, the bothersome
heat periods still occur even though pregnancy is impossible. Surgery is usually performed
at 5 months of age.
Prevention of pregnancy and heat periods is the main reason for the surgery, but the
procedure is also performed in treating severe uterine infections, ovarian and uterine
cancer, and some skin disorders.
Home Care:
Check the incision site every day for heat, pain, redness, swelling or oozing. If this is
observed, please call our clinic for further instruction.
Do not allow your pet to lick at her incision as this will impede the healing process. If this
is happening, please call us to get an Elizabethan collar to prevent licking.
Watch for signs of lethargy, depression, weakness, and loss of appetite as these signs
can be early indicators of infection. Please call us sooner rather than later.
Exercise should be restricted for 10 days post-operatively.
Do not bathe your pet for 10 days after surgery
Check with your veterinarian about whether you will be required to bring your pet back
for a re-check and suture removal 10 days after surgery.
Notify us immediately if:
You notice blood in the urine, your cat vomits or is reluctant to eat for longer than 24 hours,
your cat seems depressed or lethargic for longer than 24 hours, or if you notice any
swelling or bleeding at the incision site.