My pet is having surgery
What to expect when your pet is having surgery….and beyond.
Pre-Operative Instructions
Any time prior to surgery:
If you feel that your pet might have a lot of anxiety for their surgery, please make an appointment to see your veterinarian. They may be able to prescribe medication that can be taken at home prior to the surgery to help lessen anxiety. Stress can impede healing. We would like to make your pet as comfortable as possible.
The day before surgery:
It is important to fast your pet prior to surgery. The reasoning behind this is to reduce anesthetic complications. We do not want your pet to vomit during surgery and potentially aspirate. So we ask that you don’t feed your pet after 9pm the night before your pet’s procedure. You may offer water until the morning of the procedure but please remove access to water the morning of your pet’s procedure.
Please try to keep your pet clean prior to their surgery. Your pet is unable to have a bath for 14 days after surgery, so keeping the incision clean is a priority post-surgery. A bath the day before surgery may be appropriate for your pet.
If your pet is on any medication, please follow the instructions given to you by the doctor on whether you need to medicate your pet the day before surgery.
The day of the surgery:
Remember, no food the morning of the surgery. This includes treats! And in multi pet households do not let them have access to other pet’s food. Please make sure you have removed access to water.
If you pet needs medication the day of surgery and the doctor has authorized you to give it, you may give the medication in a tiny amount of food (just enough to cover the medication).
We ask that you drop off your pet between 8:30am and 9am the day of the surgery. This is to give the staff ample time to check in your pet and run any necessary bloodwork prior to the doctor arriving. Please have all your surgical paperwork (click here for surgical paperwork) filled out and please provide a phone number where you can always be reached the day of surgery.
Your pet will be weighed when they enter the building. A technician will review your surgical paperwork and go over any questions you may have. Your pet will be placed in a cage or run depending on their size with comfortable bedding (if your pet chews up bedding, please let the technician know when you drop off) to await their surgical procedure.
Upon arrival, the doctor will assess the surgeries for the day, and create a surgical schedule.
Your pet will be given a premedication. This is to give some pain relief and sedation prior to your pet’s procedure. Your pet’s leg will be shaved, and an IV catheter will be placed. Your pet will be escorted into surgery.
Your pet will be intubated, this is so we are able to preserve their airway and provide oxygen and gas anesthetic. During their procedure they will be under anesthesia and will be given IV fluids. We will shave the hair on the surgical site and surgically prep the area. You pet will be monitored throughout their procedure. Injectable antibiotics and/or pain medication will be given depending on the procedure.
For specific surgical information and go home instructions please choose your procedure below:
