During your appointment our veterinarian will need some basic info on your pet, especially if this is your first visit. Please make sure you have information handy on:

  • The names and doses of all of your pet’s medications
  • The kind of food they eat
  • Their eating and drinking habits
  • Their toilet habits
  • Any recent travel or tick bites
  • Past medical records, including vaccine history (prior to your first visit we ask that you complete a New Patient Form)

Additionally:

  • It is always good idea to bring a urine and fecal sample for your pet. If they are experiencing urinary or fecal difficulties we will often screen these samples during your appointment. If this is a wellness visit we will discuss wellness bloodwork packages at your appointment, these packages include a urinalysis and fecal.
  • If your pet does not get along well with other animals, please let us know in advance – this helps us to better plan for your appointment!

Don’t be afraid to ask questions or take notes. That’s why we are here!

Late Arrival and No Show / Late Cancellation Appointment Policies

We understand that there are extenuating circumstances and that sometimes you may need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. However, when you do not call-in advance to cancel your appointment, you may be preventing another pet from getting much needed treatment.

We strive to be on time for your scheduled appointments and ask that you give us a call when you are unable to keep your appointment. As a courtesy, we provide reminder texts before your appointment. Our missed appointment policies are outlined below.

Late Arrival Policy: We make every effort to be on time for all our appointments. Unfortunately, when even one patient arrives late, it can throw off the entire schedule for that day.  If a client arrives 10 minutes or more late to their scheduled appointment, it will be rescheduled. We apologize for any inconvenience this might cause.

Cancellation of an Appointment: To be respectful of the medical needs of other patients, please be courteous and call our office promptly if you are unable to show up for an appointment. If it is necessary to cancel your scheduled appointment, we ask that you call at least 24 hours in advance. Your early cancellation can help to allow another patient access to timely veterinary care. If it is after hours, please leave this message on the voicemail – you can also text us anytime at (504) 571-5128.

Appointment No-Show / Late Cancellation Policy: A “no-show” is a client who misses an appointment without cancelling it. A late cancellation is considered to be any appointment cancelled less than 24 hours in advance. You will be required to pay non-refundable booking fee equal to the exam fee ($60.50) in order to schedule another appointment. This will apply as a credit at checkout if the appointment is kept. Rescheduled appointments that are missed/no-show or late-cancelled appointments will forfeit the booking fee.

New Patient Appointments: A non-refundable booking fee equal to the exam fee ($60.50) is required for any new patient appointments. This must be paid at the time of scheduling your appointment. The booking fee will be applied as a credit upon checkout. If you do not cancel at least 24-hours in advance or fail to show up for your appointment, this booking fee will be applied as a missed appointment fee and consistent with our no-show/late cancellation policy you will be required to pay a non-refundable booking fee in order to reschedule.

Surgery Day Instructions

Pre-Surgery Instructions

  • Drop-off time is between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. 
  • If your pet is sick you must call to reschedule your surgery appointment for their safety.
  • No food after midnight the night before surgery. Water is allowed at all times.
  • All pets must be leashed (dogs) or in individual carriers (cats). Cardboard carriers are available for purchase at the front desk if needed.
  • All feral / community cats must come in a trap. *No exceptions.*
  • At check-in, you will review and sign an anesthesia consent form.
  • We will notify you when your pet is out of surgery and give an estimated pickup time but all pets must be picked up prior to our office closing at 6 pm.

Spay/Neuter Post-Op Care Instructions

Post Surgery Care:

  • Your pet has undergone surgery and will require extra care and attention for the next 10 days.
  • It is imperative that you keep your pet calm, prevent running and jumping over the next week. For some patients, this is easier said than done. In such a case that your pet is overactive, consider kenneling to prevent too much activity.
  • Your pet received an injection of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication prior to surgery to reduce pain and inflammation. They will not require any additional medications at home. If you requested post-operative pain medications, a technician will explain the medication at discharge.
  • DO NOT give your pet human pain medications. Many of these medications can be toxic and deadly to animals.

Food and Water:

  • Wait until around 5 pm tonight before feeding your animal. We recommend starting with half of your pet’s normal amount of food. You may give a full meal the following morning.
  • If your pet does vomit, either before or after feeding, pick up the food and let your pet rest for the night, then try feeding again in the morning.
  • You may provide water to your pet immediately after arriving home. But be conservative with the volume to avoid over consumption and vomiting.

Surgical Incision:

  • Check the incision daily for 10 days. Look for discharge, tenderness, extreme redness, and/or swelling. Your pet should not be painful when touched very lightly around the incision.
  • All sutures are internal and will dissolve over time. Suture removal is not necessary.
  • DO NOT let your pet lick the incision site. If your pet is licking you will need to purchase an “E-Collar” (Elizabethan Collar) from Jefferson Feed.
  • DO NOT bathe your pet for 14 days to allow the incision to fully heal.
  • If you notice anything wrong with the incision site, call our office to schedule a recheck appointment.
  • If you have an after-hours emergency, please bring your pet an urgent care/ emergency facility:
    •  Avenue Animal Wellness and Emergency. (1401 St Charles Ave, (504) 265-8659)
    •  MedVet (2315 N. Causeway Blvd, (504) 835-8508)
    • Metairie Small Animal Hospital (101 Metairie Rd, (504) 835-4266)

We appreciate your support and we thank you for trusting us with your pet’s health!

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