Before Your Pet’s Spay or Neuter Surgery

Pre-Surgery Instructions for Your Pet

For your pet’s safety, please watch this or read below prior to your pet’s surgery. Please note: arrival times are different than what is explained in this video. When you made your surgery appointment, you were given an arrival time … plan to be here then.  

Surgery Days

We are performing surgeries Monday through Friday by appointment only. We are currently receiving an unprecedented number of requests for surgery. Please understand that, even though you’ve been given an arrival time, you may have to wait for up to an hour. Please be patient (and kind) as we work to help hundreds of pets each week. 

Appointments

To make an appointment for your pet, visit this page and use the online form!

Leashes, Carriers, & Muzzles

Cats must come in secure carriers or live humane traps, of appropriate size, with a liner of newspaper, towel, or blanket. This will be the kennel in which your cat stays for the entire day. Please ensure that your cat is comfortable while waiting their turn for surgery. No treats/food in carriers, as we want your pet to have an empty stomach. Please, no litter boxes in carriers, as this causes additional debris to be stuck to your pet’s fur or incision site after surgery. PRCKC sells cardboard carriers for $8, which can be purchased in advance for your appointment. If your cat can only be handled by you on a regular basis, then a live, humane trap may be required for the safety of staff. These are available at PRCKC, in advance, with deposit.

Dogs must be brought in on a secure leash. Retractable leashes should be kept at a short, locked length. Collars should be checked for tightness to avoid the pet slipping out of it. Please be sure to keep your dog close to your side when entering the building, as this environment can be stressful/exciting for a pet and safety for all animals and humans is our priority. If your dog is known to be aggressive with other animals or humans, please buy an appropriate size muzzle, in advance, and have it on your pet before entering the building. Petco, PetSmart, and other pet stores can help you find the appropriate muzzle for your dog.

Food & Water Prior to Surgery

Please withhold all food after 10 PM the day before your pet’s appointment. Water is ok to leave out. If your pet accidentally gets a small amount of food the day of surgery, discuss with staff upon arrival. If a full meal was eaten, or other factors are involved, then we will likely need to reschedule your pet’s surgery appointment. A full meal can pose a serious problem while the pet is under anesthetic, should they regurgitate. This can block air passageways and/or cause aspiration.

Bathing Prior to Surgery

You may want to give your pet a bath prior to coming in for surgery, as we will request that you do not bathe your pet for 10-14 days after surgery. If your pet’s fur is currently caked with mud or the hair is matted, you may want to go to a groomer prior to surgery. PRCKC’s staff will shave the belly and genital regions only and will utilize a clinical scrub and wash in those areas. However, PRCKC will not be bathing or grooming your pet prior to surgery. If you are in need of a low cost groomer, we highly recommend Pawsperity, which is conveniently located next to our building. Visit their website for additional information on their organization.

Check-in / Out

Check-in and checkout happen in our parking lot. 

When you booked your pet for surgery, you were given an arrival time. Please be here a few minutes before that time and we’ll get you in as quickly as we can. It’s fairly self-explanatory but we do have parking lot attendants to help you go where you need to go.

Still, please be aware that you might have to wait so plan accordingly. If you can’t or won’t wait, we’d be glad to recommend a full-service clinic for your pet. 

Please keep your phone by your side, while your pet is with us, as we may have very important questions for you regarding your pet. Not all of PRCKC’s phone lines show up with the phone number 816-353-0940, and some staff may utilize their cell phones to contact you, therefore, please answer the day of surgery, even if it is an unknown number.

Please know, if you send someone in your place to check in or pick up your pet, they are acting as your agent and are signing a document on your behalf. We will be asking a lot of additional questions about your pet at check-in, therefore, it’s important that your agent knows your pet well. Utilize trusted individuals for this, as any services or items that are requested or declined by your agent will or will not be performed and you are responsible for all charges the day services are rendered. Please be available, via telephone, if your agent is unsure of all your wishes.

Pre-existing Conditions / Medications

If your pet has a pre-existing condition, such as: a heart murmur; blood condition; neurological condition; prior reaction to anesthetic; disease or major illness/injury which requires special ongoing attention, then PRCKC is not the appropriate facility to perform your pet’s spay or neuter. We have a set anesthetic protocol that is utilized for every surgery that we perform. A full service clinic will have other options that may be better suited and tailored for your pet’s particular condition. They can provide you with the guidance needed to make the best, well-informed decision regarding your pet’s ongoing care.

If your pet is currently taking medications (other than your typical flea/tick and heartworm prevention which don’t complicate the surgery process), please provide a full list of these medications so that we can determine if your pet is an appropriate candidate for surgery with PRCKC’s protocols. Please inform us about all oral meds and also any eye, ear, or skin ointments that are currently being used. Some medications can interact with the drugs that we utilize during surgery. A customer representative can discuss these medications with you when setting an appointment.

Disclaimer

PRCKC cannot be held responsible for complications resulting from pre-existing conditions not discussed with staff prior to surgery, age or health-related issues brought on by the surgery, or for contagious diseases/parasites for which the animal was not previously vaccinated/treated for prior to coming to our facility.