Pre-operative considerations

Our clinic is dedicated almost exclusively to preventive medicine:

• Canine and feline sterilisation (castration / ovariohysterectomy)
• Vaccination and microchip identification

We do not offer routine consultations or emergency services. If your animal becomes ill in the future, you will need to contact another clinic.

If your animal has any issue related to the sterilisation, please contact us by phone or WhatsApp during opening hours and we will assist you.

Please read these instructions carefully so that your animal can be sterilised as safely as possible.

Castration is the surgical removal under general anaesthesia of:

• In males: the testicles (orchiectomy)
• In females: the ovaries and uterus (ovariohysterectomy)

In females, the incision under normal conditions (no pregnancy or uterine infection) is approximately 1.5 cm in cats; in dogs it depends on size. The sutures are intradermal (internal) for greater comfort. After the operation, females will no longer have heat cycles.

Cats can be operated while in heat. Dogs cannot: you must wait two months after the end of heat before surgery, or there is a risk of pseudopregnancy.

• Animals must be vaccinated and dewormed (internally and externally) beforehand, including indoor cats.
• All surgery and general anaesthesia carry risks (the worst being death), so ideally the animal should go to the operating room in the best possible condition (healthy and strong). If your animal has any illness, please inform us before booking; surgery may not be indicated or may require special planning. In healthy animals this is a routine procedure and the risk is low.
• For greater surgical and anaesthetic safety, a pre-operative blood test is recommended. To arrange this, please book an appointment at Centre Veterinari de la Plana (964785796, C/Estatut 13, Castellón) for a blood test and also a check-up if any underlying condition is suspected. When booking, please mention that you are coming on behalf of María Segura so that they can send us the results directly. Blood tests are mandatory for animals over 6 years old (anaesthetic risk increases with age). The full cost of the blood test must be paid at that clinic.
• If for personal reasons you cannot attend your sterilisation appointment, please notify us at least 24 hours in advance; otherwise a surcharge may apply.
• Animals must arrive fasting: their last meal 8–12 hours before. They may drink water up to 1–2 hours before surgery (very important in summer).

• If the person bringing the animal is not the owner registered as the microchip holder, they must bring the completed and signed informed consent form. Animals with a microchip do not need to bring the vaccination booklet; if the animal has no microchip, the booklet is required so we can notify the RIVIA of the sterilisation.
• Payment can be made in cash or by card.
• If you wish to have the microchip implanted on the day of surgery, this can be done under anaesthesia. The cost is separate from the sterilisation (may include microchip, rabies vaccine and passport).
• Cats: must always arrive in a carrier with a blanket or towel (to cover them afterwards and absorb fluids on the way home). Cardboard boxes and soft carriers are not accepted; rigid carriers are preferred. If you bring more than one cat, each must be in its own carrier.
• Dogs: always with a collar or harness and lead, never loose. Muzzle required if the dog bites strangers.
• Pick-up time: 2:00–3:00 pm. If this time is not convenient, please indicate it when booking.

• Animals must remain in a quiet, warm environment (a bed or heat source if needed). They should rest but may go outside for toilet needs.
• Water: once fully awake, approximately 4–5 hours after surgery.
• Food: solid food 6–8 hours after surgery, starting with soft food (pâtés, jellies, a little ham or some kibble).
• Sutures are internal and absorbable; they do not need to be removed and will dissolve on their own.
• Some licking is normal (try to prevent it); if the animal licks compulsively, a body suit (cats) or Elizabethan collar (dogs) may be needed. Do not apply any products to the wound. You may only disinfect with chlorhexidine-soaked gauze; other products may damage the wound.
• In some females the scar may swell a few days after surgery; this can be normal. Males may have swelling and bruising in the scrotal area in the following days.
• In both dogs and cats, males may remain fertile for approximately one month after surgery; if they live with an unsterilised female, they could impregnate her.

• Dogs: capsule/liquid as indicated, e.g. 6 hours after surgery. Anti-inflammatory tablets 24 hours after, at the dose and for the number of days indicated.
• Cats: syrup or tablet 24 hours after, only if the animal tolerates it.

If the animal has special circumstances and requires additional medication, you will be informed and the cost will be charged separately.

• The animal vomits on the day of surgery.
• The animal is drowsy on the day of surgery and does not want to play (some cats take longer to wake up).
• The animal does not want to eat or drink in the first 24 hours; offer appetising food.

• There is active bleeding (not just a few drops).
• The animal has pale gums and does not respond to stimuli 8 hours after surgery.
• The animal does not eat or drink for 48 hours.
• The wound opens or discharges.

Contact us by phone and WhatsApp from the number you used to book, during opening hours. We hope to have answered your questions; if not, we will assist you via WhatsApp or phone.