Pre-Operative Instructions for Dogs

Please follow these pre-operative instructions carefully. Dogs that are not properly prepared for surgery may not be able to have surgery as scheduled.

What You Need to Know Before Surgery

  • You must have an appointment for surgery. Click here to book an appointment for your dog.
  • Your dogs must be in good health. If your dogs shows any sign of illness such as coughing, sneezing, runny eyes or diarrhea we will not perform surgery. See your regular veterinarian for care first, and then re-schedule surgery when your pet is healthy.
  • Your dog should be vaccinated at least two weeks prior to surgery. Your animal will be around a lot of other animals and could be exposed to something. It takes two weeks for a vaccination to become fully effective. We can administer vaccines on the day of surgery, but they are not guaranteed to protect animals while they are here with other animals in our clinic.This is a recommendation, not a requirement. If you need assistance with vaccine costs, check out Dakin's vaccine clinics.
  • Puppies must be 8 weeks of age AND weigh at least 2 pounds.
  • If your dog is over 8 years of age, we strongly recommend pre-surgical blood tests. These blood tests let us know how well your pet's liver and kidneys are functioning. You can have this done at any full service veterinary office and have the results faxed to us. This is not a service we can provide.

The Night Before Surgery

  • Keep your dog safely inside your home.
  • If your dog is over 4 months old, do not allow him to eat any food after midnight the night before surgery. 
  • You may allow your dog to have water.
  • If your puppy is less than 4 months old, he may have food and water overnight.

On the Day of Your Surgery Appointment

  • Give your dog a good walk before he comes to the Clinic. He'll be more comfortable.
  • If your dog is over 4 months old, no food this morning!
  • If your dog is less than 4 months old, feed him at 6:00 am the day of surgery. Please be aware of the exact time your dog ate so you can give us this information when checking in. You may allow your dog to have water
  • Drop your dog off at the Clinic in the morning at 8:30 am. Please leave your dog in the car until you have completed the check-in process. Please allow 20-30 minutes for check in.
  • Late arrivals will not have surgery and will need to be rescheduled. 
  • Payment is due in full at drop-off. We do not bill. We accept cash, Visa, Mastercard, and debit cards. WE DO NOT ACCEPT CHECKS AS PAYMENT.
  • The Spay/Neuter Clinic entrance is located on the east side of the Dakin Adoption Center at 171 Union Street in Springfield. Please come around the side of the building to the Spay/Neuter Clinic entrance (on Dale Street).
  • For the safety of your dog and our staff and clients, we require that all dogs be on a leash or in a carrier.

Reasons for Refusal of Surgery

Our veterinarians perform a general physical examination of every patient prior to surgery and reserve the right to refuse service to any animal for whom surgery is deemed a health risk.

Reasons for refusal may be but are not limited to:

  • Dogs over 4 months of age who are known to have eaten (including snacks or table scraps) after midnight the evening before surgery.
  • Dogs who were left outside the night before surgery (they may have eaten).
  • Dogs who our staff cannot safely handle.
  • Dogs with known health issues, such as a heart murmur, may be referred to a full service veterinary hospital.
  • Dogs showing any signs of illness such as coughing, sneezing, runny eyes, or diarrhea.
  • Dogs who are nursing or in heat.
  • Puppies who are younger than 8 weeks OR smaller than 2 pounds.

If any of these situations applies to your dog, please discuss this with a Clinic staff member when making your appointment. We may be able to make special arrangements if we know the issue in advance. This is for the safety of your dog and our staff.

Picking Your Dog Up

  • Pick your dog up promptly, at 3:00 pm the same day as surgery.
  • Please note that we close promptly after discharge. Please, arrive on time to pick up your dog! We do not board animals.
  • Our Adoption Center staff cannot release surgical patients.
  • If you arrive so late that the Clinic staff has to stay past closing to send your dog home with you, we will charge a $50 late fee.
  • If you do not pick up your dog at the assigned time and the Clinic has closed, you will need to come back the next morning to pick up your dog, and we will charge a $100 boarding fee.
  • We will give you instructions on taking care of your dog after surgery when you pick her up. To read those instructions now, click here.