While we have decades of surgical experience we understand that for our clients there are no “routine surgeries”. The idea of a doctor anesthetizing your pet and performing delicate procedures can be scary for pet owners, so we provide this guide to help you better understand the process of preparing your pet for a safe surgery, the precautions we take to help ensure your pet’s stability throughout the procedure, and the steps utilized to provide a comfortable recovery.
Presurgically, every pet will have had a thorough physical examination to ensure that he or she is healthy enough for surgery. This exam will include a review of the diet, care, housing, and history of the pet. Any risk factors will be discussed with you, and presurgical diagnostics such as radiographs, bloodwork, or other testing may be recommended and performed.
The day before your pet’s scheduled surgery, you will be contacted to confirm the procedure, reminded to drop your pet off at 8am the next morning, and given appropriate fasting instructions based on your pet’s species.
Whether you booked your pet’s surgical appointment online, via our app (Android or iOS), or by calling our Client Services Coordinators, you will arrive at 8am with your pet in a secure carrier or harness. You will have followed the appropriate fasting instructions for your pet the night before or morning of surgery, and no food, water, or treats should be in the carrier. Our Client Services Coordinators will greet you and your pet and ask you to make yourself comfortable in our welcome area while they inform the Veterinary Technician of your arrival.
The Client Services Coordinator will review your surgical release with you and add any additional services you may desire, such as laser therapy or grooming, they will process any remaining deposit for the estimated fees of the surgery and care your pet is to receive. You will take your carrier with you when you leave your pet.
Our Veterinary Technician will take your pet back to a prepared incubator where he or she will settle in and relax prior to presurgical treatments (fluid administration, antibiotic injections, pain reliever injections, etc).
When it is time for your pet’s surgery, we will administer premedications and place an IV/IO catheter if necessary for fluid support as well as to provide a port to administer intraoperative drugs. Your pet will be comfortably positioned on a heated circulating water or air pad as appropriate to maintain body temperature during the procedure, and may be intubated to ensure easy breathing. Equipment will be attached to monitor your pet’s temperature, respiration, oxygen level, and heart rate throughout the surgery. Our doctor and technicians will perform the surgery your pet needs utilizing gentle inhalent anesthesia, specialized equipment, and the most up-to-date techniques to ensure the best outcome and quickest recovery for your pet.
Postsurgically, your pet will be constantly monitored by the doctor or Veterinary Technician until he or she is awake and breathing freely, then placed in a comfortable a temperature-controlled incubator to recover. We will contact you to let you know your pet did well and is waking up comfortably, and at that time we should be able to give you a pick-up time for outpatient surgeries. We closely monitor our surgical patients throughout their recovery, providing additional medications and treatments as necessary. Some surgical patients require overnight hospitalization (some amputations, rabbit ear canal surgeries, etc), but most surgical patients are ready to return home the same day.
When you arrive to pick up your pet, our Client Services Coordinator will review the services your pet received and schedule a Medical Progress Exam if needed for recheck or suture removal. As we use internal sutures and external glue for many procedures, many patients (including spay and neuter patients) do not require a post-surgical visit. Any variance from your surgical deposit will be refunded or payment processed. You will be sent a detailed surgical report with comprehensive home care instructions and the doctor or technician will show you how to administer any medications your pet may need and advise you of what to watch for as your pet recovers.
Our care does not end when you walk out the door. Should you suddenly remember a question you forgot to ask, have a concern about your pet’s progress, encounter difficulty with the prescribed treatments, or should any other needs arise, reach out via our app or by phone. Our Client Services Coordinators are knowledgeable and can assist you in many cases, and will have a Veterinary Technician or doctor return your call if the query is beyond their ability to answer.
We hope that this information helps you feel more at ease about your pet’s surgical procedure!
About Us
Our exotic animal hospital is dedicated exclusively to the care of birds, exotic small mammals, reptiles, and even fish! We can offer everything your pet needs for a healthy and happy life, from wellness care and grooming to diagnostics and dentistry, but we can also provide emergency care during our operating hours, along with specialized treatment for referred patients.