Surgical appointments

Please take a moment to carefully review the below information prior to your pet’s surgical appointment.

Prior to admission

Please ensure your pet is fasted for 12 hours prior to your appointment. We recommend feeding your pet before 7pm before the night before your appointment and no breakfast that morning. Your pet can continue to have access to water overnight but take water away in the morning.
Please ensure your pet is clean. This reduces risks of infection, and your pet will not be able to have a bath for 2 weeks after their surgery.
Please bring your pets’ current medication and any special dietary requirements into the clinic.
If applicable, please confirm with us if current medications can be given to your pet prior to surgery.
You are welcome to bring a favourite blanket or toy for your pet’s comfort but rest assured, we provide a lovely comfy bed during their stay with us.

Admission appointment

Please arrive on time for your admission appointment (generally 8:30am or 8:50am unless otherwise arranged).
A vet will go through the surgical procedure, a brief history and perform a physical examination.
You will be asked if we can perform a blood test prior to surgery. This is recommended for all patients to check organ function, red and white blood cells and help to identify underlying health risks prior to administering anaesthetic. This is performed in house and takes approximately 30mins to get results. You are not required to stay while the blood test is run however we may contact you to discuss the results if we have concerns.
You will be called when your pet is in recovery after their procedure and an afternoon discharge appointment with the surgical nurse will be scheduled at this time. This is generally between 2pm and 3pm.
Please provide a contactable phone number and alternative contact number, in case of an emergency.
You will be required to pay a 50% deposit of the estimate on admission with the balance to be finalised on discharge.
A consent form is to be signed.

Prior to surgery

Your pet will be set up in a warm comfy bed after having blood taken.
Once the blood results have returned, we will administer medication to lower stress and provide pre-emptive pain relief.

Recovery

After surgery your pet will be moved to their bed and kept nice and warm.
Once your pet is in recovery and looking bright, we will give you a call to let you know how the procedure went, any additional findings, what to expect post-surgery and what time they will be able to go home.

Discharge appointment

At your discharge appointment, the surgical nurse will go through what to expect after an anaesthetic, the medications your pet is to have at home and will answer any questions you may have.
Depending on the procedure, your pet may have sutures and if so, will require a collar to prevent them from scratching and licking. We provide either a plastic Elizabethan collar or an inflatable doughnut collar at different costs.
You will be required to pay the remaining balance of your invoice prior to taking your pet home for continued recovery.

Post-Surgery

When your pet returns home they may still be disorientated and sleepy from the anaesthetic, this is normal for approximately 24-48hrs.
Please keep your pet inside, warm and cozy for the 24hrs after the procedure.
Your pet must wear the post-operative collar or jacket at all times to protect the surgery site and prevent infection.
Offer them small amounts of food initially and if they keep it down, you can offer more. 1-2 vomits in 24hrs can be normal after a procedure. Please contact us if you are concerned or your pet isn’t eating.
Please give all medications as directed by the vet or nurse for the recommended amount of time.
Restrict exercise for 14 days post-surgery to prevent surgery site breakdown.
Check the suture site daily for any redness, swelling or discharge. Contact us and send a photo to the afterhours number if you are concerned. Be sure to book a suture removal appointment 10-14 post-surgery if your pet has external sutures.