Surgical Information

SURGICAL INFORMATION :
Pre-surgical Instruction
Today’s anesthetics have made veterinary surgery safer than in the past. However, surgery is always a risk. At home, you can help minimize problems. To work as a team, remember these tidbits:

• Maintain good nutrition to reduce surgical risk and assist in prompt recovery.
• Reduce your pet’s exposure to diseases by keeping all vaccinations current.
• Have a stool examination at least twice a year prior to surgery. Parasites, like worms, add considerable stress to your pet’s health.
• Discuss current medications or health conditions of your pet with our veterinarian prior to scheduling a surgery. Please bring pet’s history from referring veterinarian when applicable.
• Remember your pre-surgical examination and bloodwork is the best method of evaluation your pet’s current health.
• By 9 pm the night before surgery, remove all food. Remove the water by midnight the night before. No food or water the morning of surgery.
• Exercise your pet at morning of surgery. It’s best if your pet urinates and makes stool before admittance to the hospital.

Post-surgical Instruction
Your teamwork is necessary post-surgical as well.

• Avoid vomiting, by not offering any food or water the first half hour after arriving home. Then, offer small amounts of water. If no vomiting occurs, offer a small amount of food after another hour. Maintain normal water and food the next day.
• Check the surgical site twice daily for redness, swelling, oozing, or other problems. If licking or chewing occurs, a collar may be necessary. Please call our office with any concerns.
• Keep your pet quiet, comfortable, and inside the first evening. Avoid stairs.