Is Anesthesia Safe?
Thanks to modern anesthetic technology, surgery is safer for pets than ever before. At Woodbury Animal Hospital, we conduct a thorough physical exam on your pet to ensure they’re healthy enough for anesthesia. We also tailor the anesthetic dosage based on your pet’s age, size, and overall health.
To further minimize risks, we recommend pre-anesthetic blood testing. This checks the liver and kidneys to ensure they can handle the anesthesia. Even pets that appear healthy can have underlying issues, which is why blood tests are crucial. If any concerns arise, we can delay the surgery until the issue is addressed. For older or ill pets, additional tests like x-rays or an electrocardiogram may be necessary.
What About Food and Water?
To reduce the risk of vomiting during or after anesthesia, we advise no food or water after midnight the night before surgery in most cases.
Will My Pet Have Stitches?
We use absorbable sutures underneath your pet’s skin, which dissolve over time and don’t require removal. However, most surgeries also require skin sutures or staples, which typically need to be removed 10 to 14 days after surgery. During recovery, you’ll need to monitor the incision for signs of swelling or discharge. While most pets don’t lick or chew at their incisions, it’s something to watch for. It’s also essential to limit your pet’s activity and avoid bathing them for 10 days after surgery.
Will My Pet Experience Pain?
Just like people, pets can feel pain after surgery, though they may not always show it. We provide pain relief tailored to your pet’s procedure. For dogs, we might prescribe anti-inflammatory medications to reduce pain and swelling. Cats require different pain management since they can’t tolerate certain common pain relievers. We administer a pain injection before surgery, and additional medication will be provided as needed. We prioritize your pet’s comfort and well-being, adjusting treatment as necessary.
What Other Decisions Will I Need to Make?
While your pet is under anesthesia, it may be a good time to perform additional procedures, such as dental care, ear cleaning, or microchipping. If you’re interested in these services, please let us know in advance. It’s also important to talk to the veterinarian if someone other than the primary pet owner will be bringing your pet in for surgery, as we may need to discuss additional anesthesia time.
On the day of surgery, plan for about 5 to 10 minutes to fill out paperwork, and when you pick up your pet, we’ll spend another 10 minutes reviewing aftercare instructions. You’ll have the opportunity to discuss any concerns with the veterinarian and get all your questions answered.
We will call you the day before surgery to confirm drop-off times and address any last-minute questions. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to contact us if anything is on your mind.
How Much Will Surgery Cost?
Before the procedure, you’ll receive a detailed estimate outlining the costs for surgery and any additional services. This estimate will provide a cost range based on the complexity of your pet’s surgery.
Pre-Surgery Instructions:
- No food or water after midnight the night before surgery.
- If your pet is on medications, follow our instructions on whether to give them the morning of surgery.
- Bring your pet in between 8:30 am and 8:45 am on the day of surgery.
- Expect to fill out brief paperwork upon arrival.
- We’ll usually ask you to call at 3:00 pm to check on your pet and set up a discharge appointment.
- Most pets go home the same day, usually between 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm, but on some days, discharge appointments may be scheduled later.
- In some cases, pets may need to stay overnight or for a few days after surgery, but we will discuss this with you beforehand.
- If you need to cancel or reschedule, please contact us in advance so we can accommodate other patients.