Pre-Operative Care and Instructions
This is a resource with general information to help you prepare your pet for surgery. This is general information so if you have additional questions, please call our office and we will be happy to answer your questions.
• Please withhold food after 8 pm the night prior to your pet’s scheduled surgery. It is important that your pet has an empty stomach when undergoing general anesthesia. It is okay to give your pet a small to moderate amount of water up until you leave for our hospital.
• Your pet may need to have a potty break prior to his/her appointment. There is a “bathroom break” area on the west side of our building which you may want to visit prior to your pet’s appointment.
• Please drop off your pet at the time previously arranged – this should be noted on your appointment slip. We are happy to assist you in getting your pet out of your car if necessary.
• Prior to surgery, it is necessary to shave the skin in several areas to prepare your pet for surgery. We shave only the areas necessary to provide an aseptic surgery site and a small area for placement of an IV catheter and possibly a pain patch placed for pain management post-surgery.
• Surgery patients are closely monitored during anesthesia and postoperative recovery by our technicians and surgeons. There is some risk with anesthesia, depending upon the overall health of your pet. We would be happy to discuss any particular concerns you may have regarding anesthesia concerning your pet prior to surgery.
• The surgeon that performed your pet’s surgery will call you after the surgery is complete to discuss your pet’s surgical status.