Surgical Instructions

• If your pet is current on his/her rabies shot, you must bring the rabies certificate at CHECK IN. TLC is required by the State of Texas to give your pet a rabies vaccination if you do not have the certificate. The tag will not work.  Visit our wellness pricing pages for pricing.

*Vaccines can be given at the time of surgery*

• Cats and Dogs OVER 5 Months Old - Withhold food after 8pm the night before surgery. Please keep your pet indoors the night before surgery to ensure he/she did not get anything to eat.
• Pets 5 Months and UNDER - DO NOT withhold food.
• Please read our Surgical Release Form prior to your arrival.  You will be asked to sign it electronically.  CLICK HERE TO REVIEW OUR SURGICAL RELEASE FORM.
• All pets must be restrained. Cats must be in carriers or traps (one per carrier or trap) and dogs must be on a leash. Please line up outside the front door with your dog. The technician will instruct you when to bring your dog inside.

CHECK IN AND CHECK OUT TIMES, ADDRESS AND DIRECTIONS TO THE CLINICS:
Click here for our Spring Clinic

Click here for our Tomball Clinic​
Click here for our Humble Clinic

• If you are using a voucher from one of our partner organizations, you must bring it at check-in or you will be responsible for paying for services.
• The phone number is 281-528-1238.
• TLC highly recommends your pet be current on core vaccinations prior to surgery.  It is not required, but highly recommended to help avoid infectious diseases.  Your pet will be in close proximity of other animals.  TLC will not be responsible for complications due to pets not being vaccinated. 

Females received an ovariohysterectomy.

Unless otherwise noted, there are no sutures to remove. If your female was pregnant or in heat, please keep your pet away from intact males for at least 4 weeks.

Males received a castration.

Unless otherwise noted, there are no sutures to remove.  Male dogs and cats with scrotal castration may have one incision directly on the scrotum, which may be left partially or completely open.  A small amount of drainage is normal.  If your male was Cryptorchid (undescended testicle(s)), your pet has 2 incisions.

If you were told that your pet had already been spayed or neutered, please contact the clinic if you notice signs of undescended testicles in males or signs of heat in females.

Instructions:

YOUR PET MUST REMAIN WARM AND INDOORS TONIGHT.

Offer your pet food and water when you get home. Do not change your pet’s diet at this time and do not give junk food, table scraps, milk or any other people food during the recovery period. This could mask post-surgical complications.

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Appetite should return within 24 hours of surgery. Lethargy lasting for more than 24 hours post-op, severe diarrhea, or vomiting are not normal and your pet should return for a recheck or be taken to your regular veterinarian. Dogs may have a slight cough for 1-2 days after surgery, or mild diarrhea not more than 24 hrs.

Check the incision site twice daily. There should be little to no drainage. Redness and swelling should be minimal. Do not apply any type of ointment or bandage to the incision. Do not allow your pet to lick or chew at the incision. An Elizabethan collar MUST be applied to prevent it in dogs. E collars must be longer than the pet's nose.  Cats typically do not need Elizabethan collars, however if your cat begins to lick or chew the incision, you should put an E collar on him/her.

If there are any questions or concerns directly related to the surgery during the recovery period, please call this office at (281) 528-1238 or walk in during regular business hours 9am – 3pm Monday - Saturday.  If there is an emergency after hours, contact your regular veterinarian or a pet emergency hospital.  Texas Litter Control does not reimburse for vet care at other veterinary hospitals.

No running, jumping, playing, swimming or other strenuous activity for 7 to 10 days. Keep your pet quiet. Pets must be kept indoors where they can stay clean, dry and warm. No baths during the recovery period. Dogs must be walked on a leash and cats kept indoors.  Sedatives can be provided for over active dogs for a fee.  Please speak with a vet technician to find out more.

Your pet received a black tattoo next to the incision. This tattoo is a scoring process in the skin; IT IS NOT AN EXTRA INCISION.

Texas Litter Control will treat at our clinic, at minimal cost, any post-op complications resulting directly from the surgery, if the above post-op instructions are followed in full. Your regular Veterinarian must address illnesses or injuries that are not a direct result of surgery. We cannot be held responsible for complications resulting from failure to follow post-op instructions, failure to purchase recommended medications, or for contagious diseases for which the animal was not previously properly vaccinated.

If you micro-chipped your pet, do not forget to register the chip. Our Veterinarians recommend that you establish a wellness program for your pet. Click here for wellness hours.

Cats must arrive in a live, humane trap and will be ear-tipped at the time of surgery.  NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE FOR THIS PROGRAM.  PLEASE DO NOT ASK THE STAFF TO DO SO.