Hi @FirstName,

Important Event Information – Please Read Carefully
You will also receive reminder emails 1 week and 1 day before the event. Feel free to screenshot this message or ensure you read all emails as they arrive.

Clinic Details:
Lort Smith Animal Hospital - North Melbourne
24 Villiers St, North Melbourne VIC 3051
Phone: 03) 9328 3021

Admission and Discharge

Admission:

Please refer to your scheduled admission time on your ticket.
Arrive 10 minutes early to ensure a smooth check-in process. Please ensure dogs are leashed and cats are secure in a carrier when dropped off and picked up from the clinic.
A vet or nurse will check over your animal to confirm they are fit for desexing and explain the procedure.
If you haven’t received it prior to the event, you will need to sign a consent form.

Discharge:

The clinic may give you a tentative pick-up time during admission. If not, they will call you after your animal has recovered, had a small snack, and toileted.
Once awake and alert, the clinic staff will inform you of the pick-up time. You must return to the clinic at the agreed time to collect your pet. If you arrive after this time extra fees may be charged.
Staff will go over post-op instructions during discharge. Please follow all instructions carefully, as negligence may lead to post-op complications.

Fasting Instructions

Food: Withhold food after 10 pm the night before surgery. Dinner is fine; no breakfast on the day.
Water: Can be given overnight but must be removed the morning of surgery.
Toileting:

Cats: Keep inside overnight with access to a litter tray.
Dogs: Take for an early morning toilet walk on a lead before the appointment.

Pre-Appointment Requirements

IMPORTANT: Flat-faced breeds are not eligible for this desexing event (e.g., Bulldogs, Pugs, French Bulldogs, British Shorthairs, and Persians).

Male dogs and cats: Both testes must be descended. No refunds will be given if only one testicle is present; these cases must be booked independently with your own vet.

Female dogs: Must be at least 4 weeks out from the end of their heat cycle. Desexing during heat increases the risk of complications such as haemorrhage, longer recovery, and a more complex procedure.

Pregnant animals: We cannot desex pregnant cats or dogs.

Post-Operative Care

Costs: Any post-op complications are not covered; additional treatment will be at your expense. Closely following the post operative instructions will help minimise the risk of post surgery complications.

Instructions: Follow all post-op instructions from the clinic, including:

Keeping your pet calm
Please ensure your pet wears a plastic E-collar to stop them from licking the incision site. E-collars can be purchased before the event or on the day.

Key Post-Op Care:

Monitor suture lines for redness, discharge, or oozing.
Restrict exercise for 2 weeks (no running, playing, or off-lead walks).
Administer medications as directed.
Monitor your pet’s behaviour and appetite (should return to normal within 24 hours).
Feeding after surgery: Offer a small amount of food the first night. Resume normal feeding the following morning.

Wounds & Sutures:

Keep wounds clean and dry; no bathing or swimming for at least 2 weeks.
Do not apply creams or ointments.
Check the wound daily for swelling, redness, discharge, or bleeding. Contact the clinic if concerned.

Contact the Clinic Immediately if You Notice:

Lethargy or dullness after 24 hours
Distress or unsettled behaviour
Vomiting or refusal to eat after 24 hours
Excessive redness, swelling, bleeding, or discharge from the wound

Services Covered

Desexing and microchipping are included in the cost
Vaccinations are optional and cost $45
Any additional consultations, treatments, or medications will be at your own cost.
Plastic E-collars are not included and must be purchased separately. Plastic E-collars are worn around your pets neck to prevent access to the incision site and to stop them from licking or biting the area.

Booking Limits:

Maximum of 2 pets per client (lifetime limit).

Refund Policy:

No refunds for change of mind.
If a dog is medically unfit on the day, the clinic will contact us with information for a refund.

Contact the host of North Melbourne Lort Smith Fix-A-Friend Dogs & Cats 10th September