Frequently Asked Questions

Today's modern anesthetic medications and monitoring equipment have made veterinary surgery safer than ever before. Before administering anesthesia, our veterinary team performs a thorough physical examination to ensure your pet is healthy enough for the procedure and to identify any conditions that may affect anesthetic safety. We carefully tailor the type and amount of anesthetic used based on your pet's age, health status, and individual needs.

Pre-anesthetic blood testing is an important step in reducing the risks associated with anesthesia. Blood tests help evaluate your pet's liver and kidney function, ensuring these vital organs can safely process anesthetic medications. Even pets that appear healthy can have underlying medical conditions that may not be detected during a physical examination alone.

If testing reveals a health concern, surgery may be postponed until the condition is addressed, helping to prevent potential anesthetic or surgical complications. Pre-anesthetic blood testing is available for an additional fee and is not included in the standard surgical procedure charge.

For your pet's safety, surgery must be performed on an empty stomach to reduce the risk of vomiting during and after anesthesia. Please withhold all food and water after 10:00 p.m. the night before your pet's scheduled procedure, unless otherwise directed by our veterinary team.

If you have any questions about anesthesia, pre-surgical testing, or your pet's procedure, please contact us. We are happy to discuss any concerns and help ensure a safe and comfortable surgical experience for your pet.

Many surgical procedures require stitches to help the incision heal properly. Depending on the type of surgery performed, your pet may have either external stitches that need to be removed or absorbable sutures placed beneath the skin that dissolve on their own over time.

If your pet has external stitches, they are typically removed 10 to 14 days after surgery during a follow-up visit. During the recovery period, it is important to prevent your pet from licking, chewing, or scratching at the incision site, as this can delay healing and increase the risk of infection.

Our veterinary team will provide you with detailed post-operative care instructions and let you know whether your pet's stitches will need to be removed. If you notice excessive redness, swelling, discharge, or if your pet appears uncomfortable, please contact us immediately.

While your pet is under anesthesia, it is often an ideal time to perform other minor procedures, such as dental cleaning, ear cleaning, nail trimming, or implantation of a permanent identification microchip. Combining procedures while your pet is already anesthetized can be convenient and may eliminate the need for additional anesthesia in the future. If you are interested in any additional services, please contact us in advance so we can provide an estimate and discuss the available options.

This is especially important if the person bringing your pet in for surgery is not the primary decision-maker regarding your pet's healthcare.

When you bring your pet to the hospital for surgery, please allow 5 to 10 minutes to complete admission paperwork, discuss pre-anesthetic blood testing, and review any additional services or treatment options available for your pet.

We will contact you the day before your scheduled procedure to confirm your pet's drop-off time and answer any questions you may have.

When you pick up your pet, please plan to spend approximately 10 minutes with our team reviewing post-operative care instructions. We will discuss medications, feeding recommendations, activity restrictions, incision care, and any follow-up appointments needed to ensure a smooth recovery.

If you have any questions or concerns before or after your pet's procedure, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our team is always happy to assist you and help ensure your pet receives the best possible care.