Procedures Service Overview

Our doctors perform soft tissue surgeries and dental work. To ensure your pet's safety, a staging exam and bloodwork are required no more than 30 days before the procedure. For non-emergent surgeries, pets must also be current on their core vaccines. Additionally, some procedures may require further diagnostic testing to assess your pet’s overall health and suitability for surgery.

• Cats and Dogs: Require a 12-hour fast - this means no food or treats. Check with the doctor to see if any chronic medications should still be given.
• Exotics: Should not be fasted. Owners should bring their pet's food and bowls so we can offer food up until the procedure and once they are awake from anesthesia.

Day of the Surgery

• Consent Form Review: A surgery technician will review the consent form with you and answer any questions.
• Pre-Surgery Preparation: Your pet will stay with us for the day. They will receive a medical progress exam before prepping for surgery, which may include shaving, placing a catheter, and administering pre-medications.

Please note, while we reserve the surgery suites for specific times, the schedule may change on the day of the procedure. This is why it’s crucial for pets to arrive on time for drop-off and for pet parents to remain available for updates via calls or texts.

• Communication: You will be notified via text when the procedure begins and again when your pet is in recovery. We allow pets time to acclimate after waking up, and discharge times are set based on how quickly they recover.

Monitoring During Surgery

Throughout the procedure, pets are continuously monitored:

• Vital Signs: Vitals are collected regularly.
• Fluid Therapy: Pets receive fluid therapy.
• Oxygen Saturation: Oxygen levels are closely watched.
• Sedation Monitoring: We ensure they remain fully sedated throughout the surgery.

Post-Surgery Care

After most procedures, pets can eat once they are ready, but they may feel nauseated that evening. They might also be euphoric or confused. To ensure their comfort and safety:

• Limit Activity: Keep walks short and bring their necessities (food, water, litter box) to them in a quiet room to minimize movement.
• Prevent Injuries: Prevent them from using stairs alone and jumping on or off furniture.

Referral for Specialized Surgeries

For certain procedures, such as orthopedic surgery, we refer to our trusted partners who have veterinary surgeon specialists.

Estimates and Elective Surgeries

• Estimates: We cannot provide estimates before the staging exam.
• Elective Surgeries: We do not perform elective surgeries such as declawing, ear cropping, and tail docking.