Information for Pet Owners
We appreciate the chance to care for your pet and hope that the information here will help orient you to the services that we offer and what to expect during your first visit.
Step 1
Your First Visit
Please complete our online health form before your first visit. We also ask that you bring all eye medications that you have been using on your pet to your first visit.
During your first visit, the Doctor will examine your pet’s eyes, including measuring tear production and intraocular pressure, as well as applying a corneal stain. A slit-lamp biomicroscopy will be performed to evaluate anterior and posterior ocular structures, and a fundic examination will determine retinal health. You will meet several members of our ophthalmology team who will assist the Doctor in completing your pet’s ocular examination.
If it is discovered that your pet needs surgery, a treatment plan will be discussed with you. You will also have the chance to review recommended treatment and ask questions, and a cost estimate will be prepared for your review.
Step 2
Before Surgery
We will call you the day prior to the surgery to go over pre-surgery care for your pet. Please be sure to follow the provided care instructions closely.
Surgery patients can generally be fed a small meal early in the morning of the surgery, but should not be fed after that time. Drinking water is fine.
The Doctor may ask you to change the medications you give your pet, or to skip a dose. If your pet is diabetic, we will provide more detailed care instructions to you regarding pre-surgery care.
Step 3
On the Day of Surgery
Our surgeries are generally scheduled as outpatient procedures with drop-off on the day of surgery between 8:00 and 8:30 am and pick-up between 4:00 and 4:30 pm.
You are welcome to bring your own blankets and food for your pet, or we will provide these. If your pet is taking any medications, please bring them with you as well as detailed instructions on administering them (ie, dose, frequency, etc.) so that we can continue your pet’s care.
Your pet will be given an exam prior to surgery to help determine whether they are healthy enough to undergo the surgical procedure. Current vaccinations are required at the time of surgery. A pre-anesthetic blood screen is also recommended prior to undergoing anesthesia and surgery.
Before the Procedure
As the veterinary team prepares your pet for the procedure, your veterinarian will:
- Make sure equipment is working and medication is close by.
- Prepare your pet for anesthesia.
- Begin to implement your pet’s individual anesthesia plan.
- Make sure your pet is monitored throughout the procedure and during recovery.
- Recognize and quickly respond to any complications if they develop.
- Assess and manage your pet’s potential pain level before, during, and after the procedure.
Anesthesia: What To Expect
Modern anesthesia and anesthetic monitoring procedures have made surgery much safer than in the past. However, as is the case with humans, undergoing anesthesia does carry some risk of complications. For this reason, in all possible cases, the Doctor will examine your pet and may run some tests, such as pre-anesthetic blood testing, to help identify risks and ensure that your pet is healthy enough to undergo anesthesia. For geriatric or ill pets, additional blood tests, electrocardiograms, or x-rays may be required before surgery as well.
The Doctor or veterinary technician will explain the surgical procedure to you and discuss the patient assessment and risks, the proposed anesthetic plan, and any medical or surgical alternatives before obtaining informed consent to anesthetize your pet and perform the procedure. All of our patients receive IV fluids during surgery to allow them to better handle the anesthetic.
To help reduce the risk of complications, it is important that you follow the directions of the veterinarian, especially regarding patient preparation.
After the Procedure
When your pet is awake, aware, warm, and comfortable, he or she will be ready to be discharged. You will receive a call after surgery with an update and to discuss a pick-up time. The veterinarian or veterinary staff will:
- Review the procedure and how it went.
- Explain follow-up care, including when your pet can begin to eat and drink.
- Tell you when to resume current medications.
- Tell you how to give new medications, if needed.
- Explain how to recognize signs of complications in your pet. It is important that you call the veterinarian’s office immediately if your pet has a complication.
- Tell you when to bring your pet back for a re-check.
- In addition to telling you the instructions, your veterinarian or veterinary staff should give you a written copy of the aftercare instructions.
Guidelines and Standards created by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) provide advice and recommendations that help your veterinary team provide the best medical care possible for your pet. AAHA is the only organization in the U.S. and Canada that accredits companion animal hospitals based on standards that go above and beyond state regulations.
Step 4
On the Day of Surgery
Our staff will provide you with detailed post-surgery care instructions for your pet when you pick them up after their procedure. The information below is meant to provide general guidance only.
How can I tell if my pet is in pain following surgery?
Signs of pain include:
- Specific ocular signs keeping the eye(s) closed shut for longer period of time
- excessive tearing and squinting
- ocular redness (i.e. the whitish part around the eye looks “angry” when you pull the upper eyelid up)
- General crying or growling
- pacing and restless
- defensive when you try to get near the surgical site
- unable to or disinterested in chewing
- tragic look on face
- hiding from owner (esp. cats)
Please be aware that all topical eye medications are associated with a slight burning or stinging sensation that should dissipate after a few seconds. Therefore, some temporary tearing and squinting may be seen when applying eye medications.
Also, some eye medications (i.e. atropine, tropicamide) may make the eye more light sensitive (resulting in tearing and squinting) esp. when in bright sunlight. When on these medications, try to minimize exposure to bright light (short leash walks, dimmed room lights).
What Can I Do To Alleviate Pain?
Pain medications are usually prescribed for at-home use to alleviate pain.
In dogs, they may include oral Tylenol with codeine, tramadol, butorphanol; non-steroidals (NSAIDs) such as Rimadyl or meloxicam; or transdermal fentanyl (skin patch).
In cats, pain medications include oral buprenorphine, butorphanol, a short course of oral meloxicam, or transdermal fentanyl. Please remember that oral Tylenol can be lethal for cats!
After an enucleation procedure, a cold pack may be placed on the surgical site 2-3 x daily for the first 3 days to help alleviate discomfort and for the soft tissue swelling to go down faster. You may use a gel-filled cold pack, a ziplock bag filled with crushed ice or a bag of frozen peas. Please make sure to provide a clean thin cushion (clean washcloth, a few layers of Kleenex, etc.) between the surgical site and cold pack.
Instead of a cold pack, some patients rather seem to prefer a warm pack. In this instance, you may moisten a clean wash cloth with warm tapewater. The cloth should feel warm but not hot to the palm of your hand. Please do NOT use a microwave for heating up a warm pack since it can substantially heat the core of the cloth which can cause painful facial burns.
Payment Policy
Pre-payment, deposits, cancellations and the payment methods we accept.
