FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

"My pet has been scheduled for surgery. What do I need to do in preparation for their surgery, and what can I expect the day of surgery?"

We know that leaving your pet can be a very frightful experience, not only for your pet but for you as well!! Our goal is to make this experience as easy and stress-free for everyone involved, especially your pet.

The night before your pet's scheduled procedure, please do not feed your pet past 9:00 pm. Small amounts of water may be given that night, but pick up the water bowl when your pet goes to bed. We ask that all patients receiving anesthesia, including all surgical and dental patients, arrive at the clinic between 7:30 a.m.- 8:00 a.m. If this does not fit into your schedule, please discuss alternate times with one of the doctors. You may also drop-off your pet prior to closing the night before if that is more convenient. There is no extra charge under this circumstance.

Once your animal has arrived at the hospital, our staff ensures that your pet will be as comfortable as possible. Animals will be placed in their own run or cage with their own bedding to make them feel at home. Those patients who are much more nervous or anxious may receive a pre-anesthesia medication to help "take off the edge". As always, any medications will be given at the discretion of the doctor on an individual basis.

The morning of your pet's procedure, any blood work, x-rays, or other diagnostics will be performed prior to anesthesia. Once all surgical procedures are completed, each animal is placed back in their own run or cage, and is directly supervised by our doctors and surgical ward staff. Each animal is monitored throughout recovery for signs of pain or any other problems. Pain medication is given on an as-needed basis. Once each patient is awake enough, they will receive small amounts of water overnight. Most surgical patients will be required to spend at least one night in the hospital, unless otherwise stated by the doctor. Dental procedures are typically done on an outpatient basis. Most dental patients do go home the same day, however, this is determined on a case by case basis by the doctor following the procedure.

Outpatients may receive small amounts of water and food that night as prescribed by the doctor on discharge. Most outpatients are typically discharged between 4:00pm-6:00 pm. Expect your pet to probably be just a little sleepy that night, although most will act as though nothing ever happened!! For those patients that will stay overnight, we ask that you call between 9:00am-10:00am the following morning to find out how your pet is doing. At that time, we will schedule a time to pick up your pet!!

Should you have any other questions or concerns regarding your pet's procedure, please do not hesitate to call our office!