Is Your Pet Having Surgery?
Surgical FAQ's.

It is common to have questions and concerns about your pet's upcoming surgery, here is some information we hope will put you and your family at ease....

Anesthesia

Here at Three Village Veterinary Hospital while our doctors are performing surgery on your pets our technicians are monitoring their vital signs.  They also employ electronically advanced equipment to better ensure the safety of your pet during surgery. We do a thorough physical examinations on your pet before administering anesthetics, and may include pre-anesthetic blood work, to ensure that your pet is safe to go under.  We treat every case individually and adjust the amount and type of anesthetic used depending on the health of your pet.  If you find you have more questions regarding anesthesia, please don't hesitate to speak with one of our Doctors who can answer any of your questions or you can ask for our anesthetic hand-out too.

Pre-anesthetic blood testing is important in reducing the risk of anesthesia.  Every pet needs a pre-surgical examination and may be required to have blood levels checked before surgery to ensure that the liver and kidneys can handle the anesthetic.  Though your pet may seem healthy animals can have serious internal problems that cannot be detected without blood testing.  We at Three Village Veterinary Hospital want to catch any problem, it before it possibly causes anesthetic or surgical complications.  Pre-anesthetic blood testing should be done a few days prior to scheduled surgery.  If serious problems are detected, it allows time to correct and postponed until the problem is corrected.

Our doctors will go over which types of blood testing are available and as per Doctors discretion suggest the test that is right for your pet.  The doctors generally prefer the more comprehensive screen, because it gives them the most information to ensure the safety of your pet.  For senior or ill pets, additional tests may be required on a case by case basis and Doctors discretion.

Do I need to fast my pet prior to surgery?

Yes, we do ask that a pet is fasted before surgery.  Like humans, anesthesia can cause nausea and it is important that surgery be performed on an empty stomach to reduce the risk of vomiting during and after anesthesia.  You will need to withhold food and water for at least 8 to 10 hours before surgery, generally we advise nothing after 12 midnight the evening before surgery. If extreme thirst persists a few laps of water is okay but the water dish should not to be left available for pet. 

Will my pet have sutures ("stitches")?  

We generally use absorbable sutures, a plastic surgery technique where the sutures are underneath the skin.  These will dissolve on their own, and do not need to be removed later.  However some surgeries, especially lump removals, do require the type of sutures which require another visit in 10-14 days after surgery to have them removed.  Either way, you will need to keep an eye on the incision for swelling or discharge.  Most pets do not lick excessively or chew at the incision, but this is an occasional problem you will also need to watch for, if your pet is a licker we may send you home with an Elizabethan Collar or "cone" collar.  You will also need to limit your pet's activities and no baths are allowed for the first 10 days after surgery, to better ensure your pets health.

Will my pet be in pain?

Pet are highly resilient and may not show the same symptoms of pain as people do; they usually don't whine or cry, but them may feel sight to moderate pain.  Sending home pain medications will depend on the surgery performed.  Major procedures require more pain relief than things like minor lacerations.

For dogs on a case by case basis we may recommend an oral analgesic the day after surgery and several days after to lessen the risk of discomfort and swelling as well as some antibiotics to prevent infection. 

Cats do not tolerate standard pain medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or Tylenol, we are limited in what we can give them.  We may administer a pain injection 10 minutes prior to surgery or place a narcotic "pain patch" one day prior to surgery depending on the extent of the procedure to help ease you cat's discomfort level..  After surgery, pain medication is given on a case by case basis only. 

We use narcotic patches for some surgeries in dogs as well.  Injectable pain medications may also be used after surgery on both dogs and cats.  Providing whatever pain relief is appropriate for your pet.

What other decisions do I need to make?

It is ideal to put your pet under anesthesia a minimal amount of times as possible.  So, while your pet is under anesthesia, it is the ideal time to consider other minor procedures, such as dentistry, ear cleaning, or implanting an identification microchip.  Discuss these procedures with your pet's Doctor to see if they are right for them or any other questions you may have.

You will check in with a Doctor when you bring your pet in for surgery. It can take about 15 to 20 minutes to go over the procedure, ask any remaining questions and make decisions on the blood testing and other options available.  lastly we ask you to sign in your pet with the Front Desk and fill out any paperwork they may have for you.  When you pick up your pet after surgery you can also plan to spend about 15 minutes to go over your pet's home care needs.

Please remember that we will call you the business day before your scheduled surgery appointment, to confirm your drop off time and remind you that you must fast your pet as stated above.  In the meantime, please do not hesitate to call us with any questions about your pet's health or surgery.