Day of Surgery – Pre-Operative Instructions
Thank you for making an appointment with us!! If for any reason you are unable to make your appointment, we appreciate a text. Please do not respond to the reminder text message because that is an automated reminder message. Please text us at (361) 245-8736 ASAP if you are unable to keep your appointment. We rely on a certain number of surgeries daily and if we have numerous pets that do not show up, it can cause us to have to increase our prices.
Check-In
Check-in on the date of your pet’s surgery takes place between 7:00-7:30 a.m. Please plan on spending 30 minutes at the clinic for patient check-in. Unfortunately, in order to be in compliance with safe and effective surgical procedures, late arrivals will not be permitted. The earlier you get there the sooner you will leave.
Leashes and Carriers
All cats brought to PAAC must be in a carrier, and dogs must be on a leash or in a carrier. We ask that your carrier be lined with a throw-away towel or newspaper in the bottom, in case of any accidents on your way to the clinic or while waiting for their exam.
If your cat is not in a carrier, you will be required to purchase a cardboard carrier for $5. Remember, we are checking other animals. Please do not take your cat out of his or her carrier while waiting as it can be very dangerous. Each cat must go home in their own carrier. We will not put two cats in the same carrier after surgery, so if you only have one you will be required to purchase a second carrier starting at $5. Also please check your cat carrier to make sure it is secure. Sometimes the hardware will rust and if there is weight added to it (your cat), it can burst open and your cat will escape.
Feral, wild or outdoor cats are strongly encouraged to come in a humane wire trap to minimize the stress to the cat and potential risk of injury to staff. If you are not able to handle the cat on a regular basis at home, it is unlikely we will be able to handle the cat when it is stressed here at the clinic. Traps allow us to weigh and pre-medicate the cat without restraining or stressing the cat further.
Payment
Payment is required at pick-up. We accept cash, Visa, and Mastercard. We do not accept checks or Care Credit.
Rabies Vaccines
Texas state law requires a current rabies vaccination for your pet. Please bring proof in the form of a certificate at drop off (tags are not acceptable forms of proof). We are otherwise required to administer one at the time of surgery for a charge of $15.
Additional Services and Fees
Hernias may be repaired at the time of surgery for an additional fee. Please let us know when scheduling and at drop off if your pet has an umbilical hernia. If we are not made aware or if it is not reducible it may not be repaired. We will also have you initial on the surgical release form if you approve us repairing it at the time of surgery.
Baby Teeth can sometimes remain in your pet’s mouth and can cause crowding as they are in the future. We will have a place on your surgical release form to approve or deny this service. It is only $10 per tooth that is removed and it will save you more money in the future if you need to remove it at a later time.
Microchips can be administered at the time of surgery for a fee of $20. Microchips are helpful in providing a permanent identification and are required by the City of Corpus Christi as an ordinance for all dogs and cats. We register the chip for you. Our microchip is a one time fee only. There are no annual fees.
Discharge
Unless you are told otherwise at drop off, patient discharge is between 4:30-5:00 p.m. If we finish sooner, we will contact you to come pick up your pet. If you do not hear from us, please come at 4:30 p.m. We do not have a permit to hold animals overnight and if your pet is not picked up, it will have to be taken to animal control and there will be impound fees and fines. Late pickups will have a $20 fee if after 5:00 p.m.
Female Cats and Dogs In Heat or Pregnancy
We will spay female cats and dogs that are pregnant or in heat. There is a higher risk, and that is also stated in the surgical release form about pregnant or in heat female pets.
Male Cats and Dogs
Please check that your pet’s testicles have descended (dropped). There is an increased fee for neutering “cryptorchid” cats and dogs, in which one or both testicles have not descended. On your surgical release, we do have you initial that you understand there is an additional fee for cryptorchid pets.
Antibiotics or Other Issues
If our veterinarian recommends antibiotics or other medications for things noted on the exam before surgery, we will text or call you from our surgery phone number which will be given to you at drop off on your pick up slip. Please note that if we call you from this number, we do not have time to speak long because your pet is on the table and we need to ask you the question posed by our doctor and then return to monitor your animal under anesthesia. Often, owners want to ask other questions, and we are unable to stay on the line long because of the safety of the pets in surgery.