Before the operation
An empty stomach is essential for a safer anaesthetic so it is important that you do not allow your pet to eat after 9 pm the previous night. Water can be left down until 8 am on the day of the operation. Please note this does not apply to rabbits so take food away on the morning of the operation and bring some in with you (we like rabbits to eat as soon as possible after an operation)
Please do not let your cat out overnight. Take your dog for a short walk before arriving at the surgery to allow your pet to relieve itself but go nowhere that is muddy.
Your pet will be admitted by a veterinary surgeon or nurse. You will be asked to sign a consent form for the planned procedure and to supply a contact telephone number. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to voice them at this time. We may recommend that a blood sample be taken before the operation, especially for older animals.
Please telephone between 2pm and 3pm to arrange a collection time for your pet. Post-operative care will be discussed then and a free check-up will be made for 2 to 3 days later.
After the operation
On collection, your pet will be conscious and able to walk without excessive discomfort. All surgical sites are washed after the operation but some seepage through a wound may occur in recovery. It is best to leave this for 24 hrs before gently bathing in warm salt water.
All patients are given pain relief before and during operations but you should expect some sensitivity around the operation site. To help minimise discomfort, we can show you how best to handle your pet and we are happy to help lift heavier animals into cars.
At home please keep your pet warm and as quiet as possible. Do not allow it to be disturbed by children or other animals.
Expect some drowsiness for the first 24 hrs, this is normal but if full recovery is prolonged after this you should inform the surgery.
Most pets have a shave mark on one or both fore limbs and at the operation site. Monitor all shaved areas for “clipper rash” and inform the surgery if any soreness is seen.
Please discourage your pet from licking or chewing any shaved areas, even if there are no skin stitches (we often use dissolvable stitches under the skin). Plastic head collars may be purchased from the surgery to prevent excessive interference.
On the evening after collection, offer your pet a small drink of water and a small light meal (e.g. fish/chicken/scrambled egg). Do not worry if this is not accepted as many pets will not wish to eat until the following day.
Cats should be kept in overnight with a litter tray to allow the anaesthetic to wear off completely and dogs should be allowed a small lead walk in the garden to pass urine/faeces the evening after the procedure.
Depending on the nature of the operation performed, exercise restriction for up to a week is necessary to help the healing process. We will advise you at the time how strict this exercise restriction needs to be for your pet.
Surface stitches, where present, are usually removed after 10 days. Please check the wound daily and telephone the surgery if you notice any discharge or swelling.
Most pets recover uneventfully but due to the unpredictable nature of living tissues and the possibility of self trauma, further treatment may be required which may incur additional costs.