What to expect on surgery day.  It's only natural to feel a little apprehensive when your pet is undergoing surgery. Hopefully, the following will help to prepare you for the events on surgery day.


Dropping off. You'll bring your pet in early in the day, having made sure that it has been fasted all night. Our staff will review any last minute details and have you sign a surgical/anesthesia release.

Recording body weight.Our staff will get a current weight to insure accurate dosing of any medications.

Examination. Your pet will receive a complete examination. Blood samples will be collected at this time so we can perform routine blood tests to evaluate your pet in more depth as an anesthetic and surgical candidate.

Surgical Prep. After your pets good health has been confirmed, it will receive a sedative followed by a short acting anesthetic. It will then be intubated (placing a breathing tube into the windpipe) and placed on anesthetic gas and oxygen. The hair will be clipped from the surgical site and the skin scrubbed with and antiseptic soap.

Surgical Monitoring. After your pet has been prepped for surgery, it will be moved to the surgery room where it's blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen levels will be monitored during the entire procedure. In the picture, note the blood pressure cuff on the right front leg and the other sensor attached to the tongue.

Surgery Time. Your patient is now draped and ready for the actual surgery.

Microchipping. After surgery, while your pet is still lightly anesthetized is an ideal time to implant a microchip to permanently identify them and to increase the chances of recovery if they ever wander off.

Recovery. After the surgery is completed, your pet will be moved to our treatment area, started on pain medication and made comfortable. Here, while being closely observed by our staff, it will complete it's recovery from the anesthesia.

Home care instructions and take home medication. After surgery, everything will be documented in your pet's medical records. We will prepare a sheet of home care instructions for you and dispense pain medication to keep your pet comfortable at home.

Going home.
When you arrive to pick up your pet, our staff will review the home care instructions, dispense your pet's medication and answer any questions you might have. Since on most routine surgeries, the sutures used to close the incision are buried and absorbable, you shouldn't need to return for stitch removal. With in a matter of a few days your pet will be back to normal and better than ever.