HCVS Low-Cost Surgery

Neuter is the sterilization surgery of a male or female so they cannot reproduce.  Males are castrated, and females are spayed.  All services include a rabies vaccine unless proof of rabies is presented with the pet or pet is not of age.  All services include claw trimming to appropriate lengths and an E-collar.  Cats' E-collars can be upgraded to a post-surgical onesie.  A non-refundable flat fee is listed for each service listed below*: 

CATS:

• Cat Castration: $110
• Cat Spay: $135
• Cat Post-Surgical Onesie: $25
• Cat Breakaway Collar (to help secure E-collar): $5
• Revolution Puppy/Kitten (up to 5 lb): $30 (heartworm, flea, mite etc.)
• Revolution PLUS (5-11 lb): $30 (heartworm, flea, mite, etc.)
• Revolution PLUS (11-22 lb): $30 (heartworm, flea, mite, etc.)
• Cat FIV/FeLV Test: $43

DOGS:

*Please inquire for English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and Pugs, as these breeds have higher anesthetic risk requiring more time and resources for surgery.

• Dog Castration (under 20 lb): $175
• Dog Castration (20-50 lb): $200
• Dog Castration (51-100 lb): $250
• Dog Castration (101+ lb): $300
• Dog Spay (under 20 lb): $225
• Dog Spay (20-50 lb): $275
• Dog Spay (51-70 lb): $325
• Dog Spay (70+ lb): $375
• Revolution Puppy/Kitten (up to 5 lb): $30 (heartworm, flea, mite etc.)
• Dog Flex4 Test (Heartworm and Tick Disease Panel): $47

ADDITIONAL

• Microchip: $40
• Additional Vaccines: please inquire
• Other surgical needs: please inquire -on a case-by-case basis, we offer to perform high-risk surgeries for those in last-resort situations under the HCVS Low-Cost Surgery model.

Pease note: umbilical or inguinal hernias will be repaired incurring a $50 fee.

Please note: cryptochirid testicles will be removed incurring a $50 to $150 fee per testicle.

Please note: retained deciduous teeth will be removed incurring a $15 per tooth fee.

HCVS Low-Cost Surgery is completed by Dr. Barlas in our surgical suite at Friends of Michigan Animals Rescue (FMAR, Belleville, MI).

• Neuter: sterilization surgery of a male or female so they cannot reproduce, to minimize cancer risks, and calm or neutralize sexual behaviors.
• Castration (neutering a male): removal of the testicles. 
• Spay (neutering a female): removal of the ovaries and uterus.
• Cryptorchid Castration: removal of non-descended or stuck testicle/s.
• Microchip: a device approximately the size of a rice grain implanted under the skin between the shoulders that, when scanned, offers an owner's contact information to help others assist lost pets in getting home.
• Dog Distemper Vaccine: vaccination against numerous diseases including Distemper, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza, and Adenovirus, which dogs can catch from other dogs or wildlife.
• Dog Lepto' Vaccine: vaccination against four forms of Leptospirosis, infection of which is transmissible to people and destroys the liver and kidneys.  Lepto' is spread in the urine of rodents.
• Dog Flex4: a screening test to identify evidence of heartworm and tick-borne disease.  Heartworm is spread by mosquitos, takes 6 months to present positive on a test, and takes at least a year and thousands of dollars to attempt treatment -without treatment, heartworm is deadly.
• Hernia: a anatomical failure of the body wall to close properly at level of the umbilical (umbilicus) or inguinal (inner thigh) region.
• Retained Deciduous Teeth: baby teeth that have not fallen out, which can present pain and increase risk of infection. 

HCVS Low-Cost Surgery is designed for efficiency and reduced cost keeping pet health and welfare in mind.  Thus, the following are NOT included:

1. Pre-operative Bloodwork: organ health evaluation to identify co-morbidities.
2. Pre-operative Disease Screening: FIV, FeLV, heartworm, and other infections increase the risk of surgical complications. 
3. Endotracheal Tube (cats only): a tube placed into the trachea (windpipe) to maintain and protect the airway is not used in cat surgeries.
4. Intra-operative Monitoring Recording: Baseline vitals are monitored manually in real-time but not recorded.

1. HCVS Low-Cost Surgery Request Form: complete the HCVS Low-Cost Surgery Request Form below to the best of your ability.  Forms are reviewed by a member of the HCVS Medical Care Team.  Booking requests are not a guarantee of service.  We will contact you within 48 hours M-F to schedule an appointment. 
2. HCVS Low-Cost Surgery Request Waiver: after booking is set, an electronic document will be sent by email for your electronic signature outlining the terms and expectations of HCVS Low-Cost Surgery.
3. Pre-payment Invoice: an invoice will be sent by email for your pre-payment, which finalizes your appointment booking.  Payment is due by the Friday prior to your appointment.  

Please note: we do NOT accept walk-in appointments. 

HCVS Low-Cost Surgery is completed in our surgical suite at Friends of Michigan Animals Rescue (FMAR, Belleville, MI).  The day of your appointment:

1. 10:00 AM: arrive to FMAR with your pet in either a carrier or on a leash.  There should be only one pet per carrier.  You will enter the white door behind the white fence on the right side of the parking lot. 
2. Through Day: be available by phone for any emergency contact needs.  You are expected to be immediately available.  If you are not available to discuss surgical complications when called, Dr. Barlas will proceed in the best interest of the pet up to and including euthanasia if deemed medially necessary.
3. 4:30 PM: present to FMAR to collect the pet.  Any pet not collected will incur a $50 per day boarding charge paid to FMAR.  Any pet remaining at FMAR for 5 days will be considered abandoned and treated as such. 

Please note: all pets should be fasted (no food, water okay) for 8 hours prior to surgery to minimize risk of vomiting and aspiration.  

Surgical services including the procedures and medications used have inherent risks that can be further compounded by known and unknown co-morbidities.  Predictable and unpredictable serious complications can occur.  Events include but are not limited to sensitivities, allergic reaction, inflammation, bruising, pneumonia, nerve damage, or death.  Individual response to anesthesia and drugs used may lead to rare but unpredictable events regardless of patient age or health status.  Emergency drugs are prepared for every patient, but risks up to and including sudden, unexplained death can occur anytime a patient is anesthetized.  

Owners are expected to be immediately accessible while their pet undergoes surgery with HCVS.  In the event of complication, Dr. Barlas's priority will be to stabilize the pet, whether that entails cessation of surgery services, emergency intervention, or alternative medical procedures.  In the event of cardiac or respiratory failure, resuscitation will always be attempted, and there is no charge for this service.  If a pet is medically deemed to be suffering and intervention to relieve suffering does not exist, Dr. Barlas will relieve suffering at all costs up to and including euthanasia.  Any unexpected loss of life will be sent to Michigan State University VDL for necropsy; there is no charge for this service.  Understanding the associated predictable and unpredictable risks, by requesting HCVS to perform surgery, you release and discharge HCVS, FMAR, and their employees, agents, representatives, officers, and directors from any and all actions, claims, damages, loss of services, expenses, and compensation on account of the surgical services for which you elected be performed.