Helpful Info for Your Pets - Surgery

When you bring your pet in for surgery in the morning, we will offer you optional procedures that will improve your pet’s safety under anesthesia and comfort during and after the procedure.

Why aren't these services included in the surgical procedure price?

If we include all options into every surgical procedure, we would have to raise the prices of the surgeries. We try to provide services affordable to a variety of clients, including those on a price sensitive budget, while offering quality care. Therefore, we recommend these additional procedures, but do not require them. (Certain medical conditions and older pets may require specific options. The veterinarian will inform you of there recommendations.)

Does my pet need a pre-anesthetic blood test?

The pre-anesthetic blood test is a small panel run in clinic prior to a surgical procedure. This panel looks at liver and kidney function, possible anemia problems and Glucose level. All pets that are over the age of 6 years are required to have this blood work done yet even young healthy pets may benefit from having this test done as well. Early stages of Liver and Kidney disease may have few or no symptoms so early detection is the key.

Does my pet need an Intravenous Catheter?

Placing an Intravenous Catheter prior to a surgical procedure is a safety precaution in case there are any problems or complications during surgery. Should it be necessary, emergency medication can be given without any time delay, since the catheter is already in place.

If something happens during surgery, won't a catheter be placed anyway?

Certainly, if an emergency situation develops an Intravenous catheter will be placed. However, placement in an emergency situation is often difficult and precious time may be lost before medication can be given. In an emergency situation when every minute counts, having a catheter in place gives your pet the best possible chance.

Does my pet need fluid therapy during surgery?

Giving fluids through an intravenous catheter will help to maintain blood pressure and enhance blood flow to the kidneys (supporting kidney function). Fluids also help to prevent dehydration during the time your pet is unable to drink water. This also helps them recover and wake up more quickly from anesthetic.

Does my pet need pain medication?

The pre-anesthetic and anesthetic drugs we use do have some pain control. However, when the anesthetic drugs wear off, so does your pet’s pain control. Since the immediate post operative time is the most painful to your pet, we require a post operative injection to control your pet’s pain level. After that, oral pain medication may be needed, depending on the pet. If you have any question whether your pet is painful after a surgical procedure, it is best to go ahead and administer the oral pain medication.

Pre-Surgical Instructions

Withhold food after 9:00 p.m. the night before surgery
Your pet may have water
If your pet is currently on medications please bring those with you and we will determine if they should be given the morning of the surgery.
Your pet should arrive at the clinic between 7:30a.m. and 8:00a.m. the morning of surgery. Please allow yourself enough time to go over paper work and speak with the doctor prior to admittance.
We will do our best to call owners after the surgical procedure to provide a status report on their pet(s). Sometimes we do get a little busy. Therefore, we ask if you have not heard from us before 2:00p.m., please give us a call so we may update you on your pet.
Most pets are ready to go home between 4:00p.m. and 6:00p.m. We can give a better time frame when we call and let you know how the procedure went. Cats that are scheduled for Front Declaws do need to stay over night. These cats are ready to go home the day after the surgery any time after 10:00a.m. unless otherwise instructed.
If you have any further questions regarding the procedure your pet is having, please feel free to give us a call.