Before & after surgery

Successful surgical operations often depend on the care taken in the preparation and after the procedure.

The stress of an operation can lower your pet’s resistance to infectious disease, so it is important for vaccinations to be up to date. Lungworm in dogs can cause poor blood clotting during and after surgery. If your dog is not already being treated with Advocate Spot On, Bruton Vets recommends treatment prior to surgery. One treatment is recommended six weeks before the operation and a repeat treatment two weeks before the operation.

As a guide please do not feed your pet after 21:00 hrs the previous evening. This does not apply to rabbits however – they can eat as normal. Cats should be kept indoors during the night before surgery. Water can be freely available to pets until the time you leave home.

Bruton Vets will carry out a full clinical examination before giving an anaesthetic and recommends a blood test to check the general health of your pet. This helps to ensure anaesthetic safety.

It is important not to be late so there is time to prepare your pet for the anaesthetic. A small patch of fur will be shaved from your pet’s leg so that your vet can give intravenous injections or fit instruments to monitor your pet during the anaesthetic. It may be necessary to clip other areas of hair to assist with the procedure.

When you leave, you will be asked to sign a consent form.

After routine operations, most pets should be ready to come home within a few hours of waking up from anaesthesia.

The vet or veterinary nurse will give you all the information you need to care for your pet after surgery. An appointment for a post-operative check up at Bruton Vets will also be arranged.

At home your pet should be kept warm and quiet indoors for 24 hours. Your pet may be sleepy and wobbly on his or her feet.

The vet may prescribe painkillers, antibiotics or other drugs to keep things comfortable and prevent infection. Some patients like to lick their wounds. If your pet does try to remove stitches the vet can give you a collar to fit around the neck to prevent this.

If you have any concerns about your pet, call Bruton Vets for advice.

If your pet is staying with Bruton Vets to recover from surgery, we can arrange times for you to visit but sometimes we prefer patients to remain quiet and rested and may advise not visiting for a period.

We make every effort to make your pet’s stay with us a warm, caring and comfortable experience.