Pre-Op:

Once your pet’s surgery has been scheduled it is important to make sure he/she is healthy for the upcoming procedure. We ask that a blood test be done to evaluate basic organ function prior to anesthesia. This test can be done at your regular veterinarian’s office or with us at the clinic. The test results need to be evaluated by Dr. Sams within two weeks of the surgery date.

We also ask that you discontinue any aspirin/ascription that your pet may be taking two weeks prior to the surgery day. This will help to minimize unnecessary bleeding during the procedure. If you are concerned that your pet may experience pain by discontinuing the aspirin, please call our office so we might suggest alternative pain medication. Supplements such as, or similar to, Cosequin, Dasaquin and Derm Caps may be continued without concern.

You may bathe and de-flea your pet prior to surgery. Your pet will not be allowed to get wet for two weeks following surgery.

All surgery patients must be fasted prior to anesthesia. Please withhold food and water from midnight the night before surgery. In most cases owners feed a regular dinner and pick up the water bowl before going to bed.

If your pet takes daily medication for other conditions, you may administer it the morning of surgery. If the medication can not be given without food please contact our office and let us know.

Admission:

Patients are admitted to the clinic at 7:00am on the day of surgery. A surgery nurse will assist you through the process and verify which surgery your pet will be having. They will also ask for contact information so we may update you when your pet’s procedure is completed.

Special diets, medications, and blankets may be brought the day of surgery. Personal pet items should be clearly labeled with your pet’s name. Blankets and personal items may get soiled so please bring only the necessities.

Surgery/Recovery:

Once your pet has been admitted to the clinic, he/she will be evaluated by a surgical nurse and given a pre-anesthetic injection to relax him/her until general anesthesia is administered. Under general anesthesia your pet will be prepped for the surgical suite which includes the placement of an intravenous catheter, shaving the surgical site, and cleaning the area with antimicrobial agents.

Once your pet’s procedure has been completed your pet will be moved to a recovery area and monitored by a surgical nurse. The surgical nurse will contact you and update you on your pet’s progress. After your pet has recovered from anesthesia, he/she will be given medications to provide comfort through the night and given an evening meal. If your pet is able to walk, they will be taken out to relieve themselves. Through the overnight hours our patients are closely monitored by our night nurse who has contact with Dr.Sams as necessary.

Following the completion of your pet's procedure, Dr. Sams or a surgery nurse will call to update you and confirm your discharge appointment. Please be sure to leave contact information where you wish to be reached.

Discharge:

Most surgical patients will be discharged the next day. This appointment is set up at the time of admission for surgery or when the surgical nurse calls with an update. The patients are evaluated by Dr. Sams and the surgical staff to make sure they are ready to go home. They will be given a meal and oral medications, and taken on a short leash walk.

When you arrive for your discharge appointment, a surgical nurse will walk you through your printed discharge forms and review medication instructions. The nurse will also fit your pet with a sling or harness if needed. Dr. Sams will then meet with you and show you any post operative radiographs and explain the details of the procedure.

Post-Op:

We usually see your pet back at the clinic at one week post-op for a bandage removal if necessary, two weeks for staple removal and complementary first visit with the rehabilitation nurse, and either six or eight weeks to evaluate progress and activity levels. These appointments can be scheduled by the front desk staff or nurses at your convenience. If at any time you have questions or concerns about the post-op condition of your pet, please contact us as soon as possible.