FAQs
Where is the Spay/Neuter & Wellness Clinic located?
Our Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinic is now located at 612 1st Street West in Milan near the overpass. Please make an appointment for spay/neuter procedures. The wellness clinic hours are Wednesdays: 8:00 am - 11:00 am & the first Saturday of each month 8:00 am-11:00 am.
Why does my dog need to be on a heartworm preventative?
Heartworms are parasites that inhabit the hearts and lungs of infected dogs. Heartworm disease can cause serious health problems, and may eventually lead to heart failure and death. The prevalence of this deadly disease has increased steadily since it was first identified.
Heartworm infection is transmitted by mosquitoes. While biting an infected dog, a mosquito draws in some blood in which immature heartworm larvae are circulating. The larvae migrate through the tissue and into the bloodstream while continuing to develop.
Within six months, heartworms reach the heart and lungs, causing heartworm disease. Some signs of heartworm disease in dogs are coughing, difficulty breathing,
sluggishness, and reduced ability to exercise.
Quad City Animal Welfare Center advises you to protect your dog against this threat by administering a prescription heartworm preventive medication to your dog monthly. Since it only takes one mosquito to pass heartworm disease to your dog, even dogs who are mostly indoors benefit from preventative. We live in an area where heartworm preventative is recommended year round. A simple blood test should be performed by your veterinarian and/or at our Wellness Clinic to see if your dog is positive before preventative medication is started. Medication can be purchased at our Wellness Clinic for a discounted price.
How do I take care of my dog while they recover from spay/neuter surgery?
Your pet has undergone a routine surgery under general anesthesia. Recovery is generally uneventful and the aftercare is minimal. Your pet will be healthier and happier, and you will have made a serious contribution to the welfare of all animals by helping to control the pet overpopulation.
Same Day Home Care:
*Keep your pet quiet or in a private room to recover from the anesthesia.
*Allow your pet a small amount of water only if needed. Resume 24/7 water access the next day.
*Give a small amount of food with your pet’s pain medication on the SAME DAY as surgery (around normal dinner time is fine). Resume normal feeding the next day.
General Aftercare:
*Restrict your pet’s activity and do not engage in rough activity for 10 days. This means no running, no jumping, and no playing. If your pet normally has full run of the yard use a leash to go outside.
*Keep your pet’s stitches dry for at least 10 days, NO BATHS! If your pet gets damp from being outside take a clean, dry towel and gently pat them dry.
* Check the incision at least once a day. If you notice any yellow or green discharge get a hold of us so we can take a peek at what is going on.
*For female dogs:
*The sutures do not require removal; they should dissolve on their own in 30 days.
*If they move too much too soon after surgery it can cause a lump to form along the incision. This should go away on its own as long as it is not red or oozing. If you notice
redness or discharge please get a hold of us.
*For male dogs:
*We use the least amount of suture as possible so if you notice that the incision is slightly open it is normal. A little clear discharge or some spotting is also normal. If you see large amounts of blood or yellow or green discharge, please get a hold of us.
*You may use an ice pack on the scrotum area if you notice swelling. Wrap the ice pack in a towel before placing it on the skin.
*If your male dog was a cryptorchid (meaning they only had one descended testicle) there might be an incision on the abdomen that we made in order to locate the missing
testicle. These sutures will dissolve on their own.
*Prevent your pet from licking the suture area. We recommend an e-collar (cone shaped plastic collar sold at QCAWC, Petco, or PetSmart).
*The e-collar is worn for 7-10 days. You may take it off and see how they do without it, but if they go right for the area put it back on.
*When you are gone or are sleeping the e-collar needs to remain on.
*We tattoo animals that we alter, so you may notice a small green line tattoo. This is to show that they are spayed or neutered.
*The surgical scrub that we use to prep your pet for surgery, might leave some discoloration. It is fine and will go away on its own. If it does not, you may bathe your pet 10 days after surgery.
If you have any questions, please call us at 309-787-6830 Option #2.
After hours, contact the Animal Emergency Center at 563-344-9599.
How do I take care of my cat while they recover from spay/neuter surgery?
Your pet has undergone a routine surgery under general anesthesia. Recovery is generally uneventful and the aftercare is minimal. Your pet will be healthier, happier
and you will have made a serious contribution to the welfare of all animals by helping to control the pet overpopulation.
Same Day Home Care:
*Keep your pet quiet or in a private room to recover from the anesthesia
*Allow your pet a small amount of water only if needed.
*Feed a small amount of food the SAME DAY as surgery. Can resume normal feeding the next day.
General Aftercare:
*Restrict your pet’s activity and do not engage in rough activity for 10 days. This means no running, no jumping, and no playing.
*Keep your pet’s stitches dry for at least 10 days, NO BATHS!
*Check the incision at least once a day. If you notice any yellow or green discharge, get a hold of us so we can take a peek at what is going on.
*For female cats: The sutures do not require removal; they should dissolve on their own in 30 days.
*If they move too much too soon after surgery it can cause a lump to form along the incision. This should go away on its own as long as it is not red or oozing. If you notice redness or discharge please get a hold of us.
*For male cats: There are no sutures, just two small incisions left to heal on their own.
*If your male cat was a cryptorchid (meaning they only had one descended testicle) there might be an incision on the abdomen we made in order to locate the missing testicle. These sutures will dissolve on their own.
* Prevent your pet from licking the suture area, we recommend an e-collar (cone shaped plastic collar; sold at QCAWC, Petco or PetSmart).
*We tattoo animals that we alter, so you may notice a small green line tattoo. This is to show that they are spayed or neutered.
*The surgical scrub that we use to prep your pet for surgery, might leave some discoloration. It is fine and will go away on its own. If it does not, you may bathe your
pet 10 days after surgery.
If you have any questions, please call us at 309-787-6830 Option #2.
If you have questions about your pets incision please e-mail a picture to clinic@qcawc.org.
After hours, contact the Animal Emergency Center at 563-344-9599.
Got Fleas, now what? The Ultimate Flea Control Guide!
The first step to treating fleas is acknowledging you have a problem! If you have seen a flea (yes, one flea) or flea dirt, you have fleas. It’s that simple. Period. All animals at one point will be exposed to fleas, whether or not they become a problem is up to you!
IF you have seen a flea:
*Use a QUALITY topical or oral KILL product for a minimum of THREE MONTHS on ALL pets in the house. Products QCAWC carries: Vectra 3D (dogs only), Catego (cats only), & Revolution (cats only).
o QCAWC also carries Capstar- this is a pill that does a quick kill on the fleas. It is a jump start. It only lasts about 24 hours. You will still want to use a kill product with this.
o An excellent long-lasting flea/tick collar is Seresto. Most other flea collars are junk.
o Other good, recommended products: Nexgard, Bravecto, Advantage line, Trifexis, Comfortis. We do NOT recommend Pet Armor, Hartz, etc.
• Treat the environment: this is HUGE!! Vacuum ALL FLOORS (hardwood, carpet, tile, vinyl, rugs) EVERY DAY for 7 days, then twice a week for 2-3 months. Make sure to throw out the bag or dump the canister outside afterwards. This literally removes most of the flea population (eggs, larvae and pupae, aka babies, toddlers and teens) from your living space.
o Wash all bedding/sheets/blankets your pets sleep on in hot water once a week for 1 month, then at least monthly.
o Do not waste money on treating the yard. Do not waste money on flea bombs.
o A premises spray that is safe for humans and animals is Knock-out (QCAWC carries this). You can spray mattresses, curtains, anything you can’t vacuum or throw in the wash. Completely safe when dry to the touch.
How to prevent a flea infestation:
• Use a flea preventative every month year-round.
• If your cat goes outside, even for short periods of time, keep your cat on a topical flea kill product for all of the months you allow the cat outdoors. (QCAWC carries: Revolution & Catego)
• Make sure ALL pets in the home are on a flea preventative. If one cat goes outside, he may bring in fleas to others. Dogs often bring fleas inside that can then infest the “totally indoors” house cat.
• If you live in multiple housing units that allow pets, your neighbors may have fleas that then infest the hallways and the adults can infest your animal! SO, if you live in an apartment/condo that allows pets, keep all your pets on flea preventative.
For more details, talk to your veterinarian or a veterinary staff member.
Important tips:
• ALL animals in the house must be treated when you have fleas and treated at the same time!!!!
• You must treat for at least 3 months due to the flea life cycle (4-6 weeks depending on weather).
• Do NOT apply flea product earlier than 30 days. If you see fleas, that’s normal. They are still hatching. They will jump on the pet and then die. Typically, they just die a little slower at the end of 30 days. If you are still seeing large amounts of fleas after 3 months of treatment, consult with a veterinarian.
