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.