Frequently Asked Questions
Clinic Information:
When is the SANS clinic open?
The clinic schedule varies depending on veterinary staff availability but on average we provide two clinics a week. Clinics will typically be on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Potential clients should call or email the clinic for the current schedule. The clinic has office hours every Monday from 2-6 PM
Do I need an appointment or can I just stop by the SANS Clinic?
SANS does not accept walk-ins for spay & neuter services. All clients must make an appointment as spaces are limited. Clients can, however, stop in during Monday office hours to pick up Advantage.
What forms of payment do we accept?
Visa, MasterCard, cash or money order. We do not accept personal checks.
Do you take FOA certificates or Spring Farms Care Vouchers?
We do not accept FOA (Friends of Animals) certificates or Dept of Agriculture vouchers. We accept Spring Farms vouchers under limited circumstances.
Why can you do this so cheaply?
For two reasons; 1) SANS is a non-profit organization. It is our mission to reduce the pet overpopulation problem in our community by providing low cost spay and neuter services for shelter animal, rescuers and animals belonging to low income people. Because we are non-profit, we benefit from donations that allow us to offer our services below cost. 2) We are a streamlined practice. Unlike a private veterinary practice, which provides a full medical service, we are single focused. We perform spay and neuter surgery and basic vaccinations only. Anytime a business has a single focus, it can better maintain its overhead costs.
Surgery Questions
How old does a puppy/kitten have to be in order to be spayed/neutered?
At SANS, they must be14-16 weeks and at least 4 lbs. (Per Dr. Moell & Baskin)
At what age(s) does a puppy/kitten receive vaccinations?
Kittens (FVRCP) and puppies (DHLPP or DHPP) need their first shots at 6 weeks, 9 weeks and 12 weeks. Both kittens and puppies need RABIES at 12 weeks. All need to be boosted in 1 year.
Is the surgery painful?
Surgical sterilization is performed under general anesthesia by a licensed doctor of veterinary medicine and assisted by a licensed veterinary technician. The animal is asleep during the procedure and may experience mild discomfort after surgery. As part of our anesthetic protocol, SANS uses pain medication and an anti inflammatory to reduce any post-op pain. Most animals return to normal activity within 24 to 72 hours.
How long does the flea medication work?
Approximately 30 days. We can dispense more flea medication during one of our clinic days. Please call us in advance and give us the weight of your pet. If you don’t know the weight of your pet, weigh yourself, then weigh yourself while holding your pet and subtract the two numbers.
Should my female have a litter before she is spayed?
There is no medical evidence to justify allowing an animal to have a litter before spaying. Spaying eliminates the possibility of developing cancers associated with the reproductive organs
Will my animal’s behavior change by surgery?
Behavior changes as a result of sterilization surgery are positive. Male cats reduce territorial spraying. Neutered animals fight less and do not wander in search of a mate
Will my animal gain weight after this surgery?
Weight gain is more a product of exercise, nutrition and aging, NOT NEUTERING.
Will my male cat stop spraying after he is neutered?
Usually. If this is an older cat, he may continue to spray, but the strong odor should disappear after 10-14 days or so. For a young cat, the spraying may stop altogether. There are products available at pet and grocery stores than can help to neutralize areas where your pet has previously sprayed. Nature’s Miracle is one of the more commonly known products.
How long should I keep my male cat away from my unspayed females after he is neutered?
Although your male cat can no longer impregnate your female cat, he may still be interested in your female cat if she is in heat. It takes about a week after neutering for the testosterone level to drop. For the comfort of your pets, you should keep your male cat separated from your unsprayed female cat for about one week after being neutered.
How long does a heat cycle last?
In dogs, the heat cycle lasts 10 – 20 days.
In cats, the heat cycle lasts 3 – 16 days.
When will her next cycle be?
In dogs, heat cycles occur every 6 – 9 months throughout the life of the animal.
In cats, heat cycles occur every 14 – 21 days until she is bred or the amount of daylight decreases.
How long after a female stops nursing kittens or puppies can she be spayed?
Two weeks.
How long does it take a female cat to complete recover from being spayed?
About two weeks for a full recovery.
I’m not sure that my pet is recovering well from surgery. What signs should I be concerned about?
Swelling or discharge from the surgical site. If your pet is excessively licking the surgical site, than you may want to purchase an e-collar for your pet. E-collars can be purchased at your local pet store.
How long do I need to wait before bathing my cat or dog after surgery?
For male cats, one week
For female cats and all dogs, two weeks
VACCINATIONS & FeLV/FIV
Will my cat needs more shots after being fixed?
Yes, he/she should have a follow-up distemper shot in about a month, from his or her regular vet, then another a year from then. Your pet will need another rabies shot a year from the date he was neutered or spayed at our clinic. That shot may be a one-year or a three-year shot depending on where it is obtained. Additionally, if your cat was tested for feline leukemia at our clinic, and the test was negative, and your pet goes outdoors, we recommend getting leukemia shots annually from his or her regular veterinarian.
Can I buy some (more) prescription medications from you?
No. Medications are only dispensed as a part of our clinic program if the vet determined it was medically necessary on the day your pet was scheduled for surgery. Because our clinic days are extremely busy, our vet is not able to perform regular exams on pets that are not part of that day’s spay or neuter program.
Why are my two cats that were best friends now fighting? What can I do about it?
Discuss displaced aggression (another cat outdoors, loud noise inside or something else frightening, etc.)
Suggest that cats be separated for a time, and gradually reintroduced to each other, perhaps using treats, yummy meals as an incentive so they can associate each other with good things.
Is feline leukemia and/or aids (FIV) contagious?
Yes. Both Feline Leukemia (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) are contagious among cats. FeLV is transmitted by casual contact via saliva, blood, urine, and feces, and from a mother cat to her unborn kittens. FIV is transmitted via bite wounds
How long will cats infected with FeLV or FIV live?
The life expectancy varies from cat to cat. Some cats will become sick early in life, others may not become ill until they are 12 – 15 years of age. Excellent nutrition, a loving and stress-free home environment, and annual veterinary examinations help to ensure, but do not guarantee, a long and healthy life.
AFTER SURGERY
What will my male pet look like after he has been neutered?
Like a deflated furry balloon! He’ll check back there looking for what was familiar, then forget about it and wash himself normally after a couple of days. If what was there before seemed to be a little hard and round, it will now be more elongated (droopy), softer and flatter.
My female cat has a lump on her belly by the spay scar. What is this and should I be concerned about it?
No, this is not uncommon, and it is typically a reaction to the suture stitches. The lump typically appears along the incision line, and can be the size of a nickel. Typically, it will subside in about 3 weeks, but it may take as long as 5 to 6 weeks to disappear completely. As long as everything else about the surgery looks fine (no puss, no redness, no infection), and the cat is eating and acting normally, the owner should not worry. If the lump does not begin to diminish in size, the owner can either take the cat to a regular veterinarian who might prescribe an antibiotic, or the owner may bring the cat back to us on a clinic day WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF THE SURGERY and our vet will re-examine the incision.
How long for female cat to completely recover from spay surgery? Also, what does “normal” healing process look like (What do I need to be concerned about?)
You really should allow about two weeks for complete healing. There should be no redness, oozing or any signs of infection. The cat should, after a day or two, resume its normal feeding schedule and begin to act normally. Some female cats will experience some swelling in the incision area, and this should slowly subside.
When can I bathe my cat/dog after surgery?
It would be best to wait a couple of weeks, especially for a female pet.
Will my male cat stop spraying after he is neutered?
Maybe, or at least not do it quite so much. If it is an established habit (an older cat), he may continue to spray but the strong odor should disappear after 10-14 days or so. For a young cat that has not developed the habit, it might stop altogether. (There are specialized products available at a pet store than can help to correct areas where your pet has previously sprayed which will help to stay him from spraying there again.)
How long keep male cat away from my unspayed females after he is neutered? (Will my male cat continue to “hump” my female cat?)
Try to keep the male cat away for at least a week, but 10 days to two weeks would be better. It takes time for the testosterone to leave his system
Will my cat needs more shots after being fixed?
Yes, he/she should have a follow-up distemper shot in about a month, from his or her regular vet, then another a year from then. Your pet will need another rabies shot a year from the date he was neutered or spayed at our clinic. That shot may be a one-year or a three-year shot depending on where it is obtained. Additionally, if your cat was tested for feline leukemia at our clinic, and the test was negative, and your pet goes outdoors, we recommend getting leukemia shots annually from his or her regular veterinarian.
If I get my indoor cat tested for feline leukemia and he starts to get outdoors, should I give him leukemia shots?
Your vet may want to retest the cat before administering the leukemia vaccine.
Can I buy some (more) prescription medications from you?
No, they are only dispensed as part of our clinic program if the vet determined it was medically necessary that day.
My pet was neutered/spayed here last year? Can I bring him/her in again to get more shots? No, we can only give distemper and rabies shots as part of our spay/neuter clinic package; you will have to take your pet to a regular vet for follow-up shots or to a rabies clinic.
Is feline leukemia and/or aids contagious? How long will the cats live? How can I tell if he/she has one of these diseases?
For questions about FeLV/FIV refer to the LINKS page on www.spayandneutersyracuse.org for a direct link to the Cornel Feline Health Center.
PREGNANCY & KITTENS
How long does heat last in cats? When will the next cycle be?
First cycle can occur at about 5 ½ months and might last as long as 12 days. Your female pet may really never come out of heat completely, it just peaks and valleys, (i.e., the behavior signs are less obvious, but your pet doesn’t feel quite normal inside). The heat cycle that you notice might reoccur as often as every 2-3 weeks until she is spayed. The longer the owner waits to spay a female pet, the greater the risk of developing mammary tumors later. The longer the owner waits to neuter a male cat, the more likely it is that he will develop a spraying habit that may be difficult to correct.
How do I know if my female dog is in heat?
A female dog in heat will have an enlarged vulva and drip blood. If this is the first heat cycle, it will usually last 7-10 days. Dogs go into heat 2x a year. It would be preferable to spay her either before her heat cycle or after her heat cycle (less messy and less expensive).
Can you spay a pregnant cat?
Yes.
Can you spay a pregnant dog?
You can, but SANS will not (too risky..too much blood loss)
How do I tell if my female cat is pregnant? It can be difficult until the pregnancy is pretty far along. Her sides should be showing at approximately 45-50 days. Earlier than that, if you can feel your cat’s tummy, you may be able to feel little hard lumps and her nipples may be a little pinker than normal. Gestation period is approximately 60-63 days.
Should my female have a litter before she is spayed?
There is no medical evidence to justify allowing an animal to have a litter before spaying. Spaying eliminates the possibility of developing cancers associated with the reproductive organs
When can a cat that has recently given birth be spayed?
At least 7 weeks after delivery (6 weeks of nursing) and 1 week for the milk to dry up.
When should kittens be weaned from their mothers?
Begin weaning kittens at about 6 weeks. (Sometimes, this happens naturally as the “mothers will begin to kick their kids off”
How long does it take for the milk to dry up and how do you know when it has dried up? Usually, it takes about 1 week. The mammaries should be noticeably less engorged and when you squeeze the nipples, little to no milk should be expelled. The kittens should also be eating solid food on their own and may nurse on mama as a comfort/not for nourishment. Hopefully by 7 weeks.
Can a nursing cat safely receive Advantage flea treatment?
Yes.
How old does a kitten have to be to receive Advantage?
6 weeks.
What can you do when kittens have fleas but are not old enough for treatment?
1-2 drops of Advantage can safely be applied to kittens under 6 weeks. Kittens can also be bathed in a mild detergent of DAWN or JOY using warm (not hot) water and MUST BE DRIED VERY WELL and placed on a heating pad/or warming bottles. Warming elements must be maintained every few hours. If the warming element becomes cool, it will actually pull heat away from the body of the kitten. FYI, kittens will not eat or be able to metabolize food if their core body temperature is cold. MUST KEEP KITTENS TOASTY!