⚠ Important: If your pet has been scheduled for surgery and you have specific concerns not covered here, please call us at (386) 423-9551 before their procedure. We will call you the evening before surgery to confirm drop-off time and answer any last-minute questions.
Before the Procedure
How to prepare your pet for a safe and smooth surgery
Today's modern anesthetic protocols and monitoring equipment have made veterinary surgery significantly safer than in the past. Before administering any anesthetic, we perform a thorough physical exam to check for fever, illness, or other conditions that could affect safety. The type and amount of anesthetic is always tailored to your individual pet's health, weight, and age.
Pre-anesthetic blood testing plays a critical role in reducing risk. Every pet needs blood testing before surgery to ensure the liver and kidneys can handle the anesthetic. Even apparently healthy animals can have serious organ problems that cannot be detected without blood testing — and it is far better to find these before surgery than during it.
For pets with minor organ dysfunction, IV fluids during surgery can help them handle anesthesia more safely. If a serious issue is found, surgery can be postponed until it is properly addressed.
Withhold food for 8–10 hours before surgery. Water is fine until morning.
We offer three levels of in-house pre-anesthetic blood screening, which our team will discuss with you at drop-off. Our doctors prefer the more comprehensive panel as it provides the most complete picture of your pet's health going into surgery. The screen evaluates:
✓ Liver and kidney function
✓ Red and white blood cell counts
✓ Clotting ability
✓ Blood sugar and electrolytes
For older or ill patients, we may also recommend an electrocardiogram (EKG) or chest X-rays before proceeding.
Yes — it is very important that your pet has an empty stomach before surgery. Withhold all food for at least 8 to 10 hours before the procedure. An empty stomach reduces the risk of vomiting under anesthesia, which can be dangerous. Fresh water can be left available until the morning of surgery.
Please allow 5 to 10 minutes at drop-off to complete paperwork and finalize decisions about blood testing and any additional options. We will confirm your drop-off time with a call the evening before your scheduled surgery. If the person dropping off your pet is not the primary decision-maker for their care, please ensure they are fully informed of your preferences in advance.
When you pick up after surgery, plan for another 10 minutes so our team can walk you through your pet's home care instructions.
During the Procedure
What happens while your pet is in our care
Yes — while your pet is under anesthesia is an ideal time to perform additional minor procedures that would otherwise require a separate visit. Common add-ons include:
✓ Dental cleaning and oral exam
✓ Ear cleaning
✓ Microchip implantation
✓ Nail trim
If you'd like an estimate for any additional services, please call ahead of time so we can plan accordingly.
After the Procedure
Recovery, sutures, pain management, and home care
It depends on the procedure. For many surgeries we use absorbable sutures placed beneath the skin — these dissolve on their own and require no removal. Other procedures, particularly tumor removals or larger incisions, require external skin sutures that are removed 10 to 14 days after surgery.
Regardless of suture type, you'll need to:
✓ Monitor the incision daily for swelling, redness, or discharge
✓ Prevent licking or chewing — use an e-collar if needed
✓ Keep the incision dry — no baths for the first 10 days
✓ Restrict activity — no running, jumping, or rough play during recovery
Anything that causes pain in people can be expected to cause pain in animals. Pets often don't show pain the same way we do — they may not whine or cry — but that doesn't mean they aren't feeling it. We take post-operative pain management very seriously.
For dogs: We typically recommend an oral anti-inflammatory the day after surgery and for several days following to reduce discomfort and swelling. We use newer medications that are less likely to cause stomach upset. Narcotic patches and injectable pain medications may also be used depending on the complexity of the procedure.
For cats: Because cats cannot tolerate standard pain medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, or Tylenol, we use specialized veterinary pain medications. We administer a pain injection 10 minutes before surgery, and post-operative medication is provided on a case-by-case basis. Any animal showing signs of pain will receive additional relief.
Call us immediately at (386) 423-9551 if you notice any of the following after your pet's surgery:
! Significant swelling, redness, or discharge at the incision site
! The incision opens or sutures appear torn
! Persistent vomiting or refusal to eat beyond 24 hours
! Extreme lethargy or difficulty breathing
! Signs of significant pain — crying, inability to get comfortable, guarding the area
Don't hesitate to call us with any concern — we would always rather hear from you.