Surgical Referrals FAQs
To help you prepare for your pet’s upcoming procedure, take a look at some of the Frequently Asked Questions from pet owners below. If you would like more information or wish to talk to our team, please do get in touch.
Should I starve my pet before surgery?
If your dog or cat is booked in for a general anaesthetic, please make sure you bring them in fasted in order to minimise the risk of regurgitation during the procedure. Please ensure that no food is given to them from midnight the night before. Water can remain down until they come to the practice. If you have a rabbit or other small rodent booked in for a general anaesthetic, they should not be starved prior to their procedure. We may recommend a different protocol if your pet is very young or diabetic, please discuss with the team when booking their procedure.
Will my pet have opportunities to toilet at the practice?
Ideally allow your pet to toilet before arriving at the surgery. Walking your dog or providing your cat with a litter tray overnight will ensure that their bowel and bladder are empty prior to admission. All dogs are however provided with regular opportunities to toilet outside in our spacious garden and cats will be provided with litter trays.
Will the vet performing surgery be admitting my pet in the morning?
On arrival either a veterinary nurse or vet will admit your pet, discussing their usual management with you to make sure they feel as comfortable as possible at our clinic. This also gives owners the chance to ask questions about the procedure and gain reassurance. Our team will also offer a pre-anaesthetic blood screening, an extra option to check your pet’s internal organs. This helps to tailor the anaesthetic if the blood results highlight a problem that could pre-dispose your pet to complications. This is completely optional and the nurse or vet will provide you with more information on admission. During this appointment you will be asked to provide informed consent for us to carry out the planned procedures so please ensure the person attending is over 18 and is either the owner or has permission to act on the owner’s behalf.
What happens during the recovery process following their operation?
To ensure your pet has a safe and comfortable recovery, they may need to stay with us overnight. The veterinary surgeon will speak to you once the procedure is completed with another telephone update later in the evening if desired. Our nurses will monitor your pet throughout the evening and overnight, ensuring that pain relief, fluids, food and TLC are given as required. Dogs and cats will be separated in dedicated wards. When the vets are happy, we will book a discharge appointment with you. This will allow our nursing team to go through any discharge notes and answer any questions about post-surgical management.
When will my pet’s operation happen?
Our operations are usually carried out in the morning, although emergencies may alter the order of the surgical list on the day. Our team will give you a call once your pet is recovering from the general anaesthetic to let you know how they are doing. Please keep your phone to hand as you will be contacted throughout the day if there are any complications or questions during or after surgery.
