WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOUR
PET'S UPCOMING SURGERY...

It is common for people to have questions about various aspects of their pet's surgery, and we hope this information will help. It also explains the decisions you will need to make before your pet's upcoming surgery.

Routine Surgery Pre-requisites?

• A physical examination with in the past year. Prior to surgery, each patient receives a thorough physical examination to identify any existing medical conditions that might endanger your pet's health.
• Current Rabies Vaccination at least 7 days prior to surgery

Pre-Surgical Instructions?
It is important that surgery be done on an empty stomach to reduce the risk of vomiting during and after anesthesia. You will need to withhold food no later than 10pm the night before surgery. Water can be left down for the pet until the morning of surgery. On the morning of surgery, you or another adult able to make decisions regarding your pet will arrive between 7:45-8am. Please allow 5-10 minutes of time for check-in, filling out paperwork and making decisions on the blood testing and other options available.

You will receive a courtesy phone call the day before your pet’s scheduled surgery appointment to confirm the time you will be dropping your pet off and to answer any questions you might have. In the meantime, please don't hesitate to call us with any questions about your pet's health or surgery. We perform surgical procedures Monday thru Friday each week.

Is the anesthesia safe?
Today's modern anesthesia monitors have made surgery much safer than in the past. We also adjust the amount and type of anesthetic used depending on the health of your pet. However, with any type of anesthesia as with humans there is a certain amount of risk involved.

Pre-anesthetic blood testing is important in reducing the risk of anesthesia. Even apparently healthy animals can have serious organ system problems that cannot be detected without blood testing. If there is a problem, it is much better to find it before it causes anesthetic or surgical complications. If serious problems are detected, surgery can be postponed until the problem is corrected.

Best reasons to test your pet prior to anesthesia…

1. Our pets can’t tell us when they don’t feel well. You deserve peace of mind!
2. Testing can greatly reduce possible risk and consequences. Though your pet may appear healthy and happy, he/she may have underlying symptoms of a disease or ailment. The blood testing helps us evaluate liver & kidney function as well as detect early signs of diabetes.
3. Testing can help in your pet’s future health. Testing provides baseline levels for your pet and can be used for medical references should he/she ever become ill in the future.

Will my pet have stitches?
For most surgeries, we use absorbable sutures underneath the skin. These will dissolve on their own and do not need to be removed later.

Some surgeries do require skin sutures or staples. With all types of suture, you will need to keep an eye on the incision for any redness, swelling or discharge. Most pets do not lick excessively or chew at the incision, but this is an occasional problem you will also need to monitor. Special collar cones are available to protect the area. If there are skin sutures or staples, we will schedule a time for removal 10 to 14 days following the procedure. In the next 7-10 days after surgery, you will also need to limit your pet's activity level and no baths are allowed. We recommend leash walks only.

Will my pet be in pain?
Anything that causes pain in people can be expected to cause pain in animals. Pets may not show the same symptoms of pain as people do; they usually don't whine or cry, but you can be sure they feel it. Pain Management is a very important part of our medical protocol. Our hospitalized pets are kept comfortable with necessary pain medications, blankets, recovery mats, lots of love from our staff and soothing music. The doctor will evaluate your pet individually and make the best pain control recommendations for his or her situation. Your pet will likely receive pain medications before and after surgery, and additional pain medication is often sent home for you to administer orally after surgery.

What other decisions do I need to make?
While your pet is undergoing anesthesia, it may be an ideal time to perform other procedures, such as blood work, dentistry, or implanting an identification microchip. If you would like an estimate for these extra services, please call ahead of time. This is especially important if the person dropping the pet off for surgery is not the primary decision maker for the pet's care.

Will my pet stay overnight?
Most procedures such as spays and neuters require that your pet stay overnight. Declaws require that your pet stay two nights. Other procedures such as dental cleanings and some mass removals will permit your pet to go home late the same day.

Post-Surgical Instructions?
When you pick up your pet after surgery you can plan to spend about 5-10 minutes to go over your pet's discharge instructions and at home care needs.

Remember, when you pick your pet up after surgery, you must have a leash or carrier to ensure his or her safety for the ride home. Pets recovering from anesthesia may still be groggy, or easily startled, and we would rather not release them from the hospital without a leash or carrier. Inexpensive, reusable leashes for dogs and cardboard cat carriers are available for clients who need one. Just ask!