Surgical Preparation and Anesthesia Information
At Southwest Pet Hospital, we want to make your pet’s surgery as safe and comfortable as possible. Our team will guide you through preparation, recommended testing, medications, the procedure estimate, and consent forms.
Pre-Surgical Appointment
We recommend scheduling a pre-surgical appointment at least one week before your pet’s procedure so we can:
- Perform recommended pre-anesthetic bloodwork and other testing.
- Provide prescribed oral pre-surgical medication and instructions.
- Review the procedure estimate and available optional services.
- Discuss surgery and anesthesia consent information and answer your questions.
Unable to attend a pre-surgical appointment? Please contact us. Many preparations can be completed by phone, text, or email, and bloodwork may be performed in-house on surgery day. Please allow extra time for check-in if preparations have not been completed in advance.
Before Surgery
Follow the instructions provided specifically for your pet. Contact us before surgery if any directions are unclear.
- Food and water: Unless we give you different instructions, withhold food and treats after 9:00 PM the night before surgery. Water may remain available overnight. Puppies, kittens, diabetic pets, and pets with certain medical conditions may require different instructions.
- Regular medications: Confirm with our team which medications, vitamins, supplements, and injections to give or withhold before surgery. Do not stop or change prescribed medication without veterinary instructions.
- Pre-surgical medication: Pick up your pet’s prescribed oral medication packet before surgery and administer it exactly as directed.
- Arrival: Bring your pet between 7:30 and 9:00 AM on the morning of the scheduled procedure, unless other arrangements have been made.
- Health changes: Let us know before admission if your pet develops new symptoms or accidentally eats after the instructed fasting time.
Pre-Anesthetic Examination and Testing
We perform a physical examination before anesthesia and strongly recommend pre-anesthetic bloodwork to help identify health concerns that could affect your pet’s anesthetic plan.
Depending on the tests selected, bloodwork may include:
- Complete blood count (CBC): Evaluates red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
- Chemistry testing: Evaluates values associated with kidney and liver function, blood glucose, proteins, and other health indicators.
- Electrolytes: Helps identify imbalances that may require attention before anesthesia.
- Thyroid testing: May be recommended based on your pet’s age, symptoms, and medical history.
In dogs, clotting time testing and/or tick-borne illness screening may also be recommended. For cats, we may recommend FeLV/FIV testing.
As part of a separate pre-anesthetic assessment, blood pressure measurement may be recommended, particularly for senior pets, at-risk breeds, or pets with underlying health concerns.
Testing helps us plan your pet’s care, but it cannot identify every health condition or eliminate all anesthetic and surgical risks. We will explain recommended tests and available options before the procedure.
Anesthesia and Monitoring
Your pet’s anesthetic plan is tailored to their health and procedure. It may include injectable medications, inhalant anesthesia, and a breathing tube to deliver oxygen and help protect the airway.
During anesthesia, our team closely monitors your pet’s heart rate, pulse, oxygen levels, breathing, ECG, and body temperature. Monitoring continues during recovery, with care adjusted to your pet’s needs.
IV Catheters, Fluids, and Pain Management
IV catheter and fluids: We highly recommend an IV catheter and intravenous fluids during anesthetic procedures when appropriate for the patient. An IV catheter provides access for medications and emergency treatment, while fluids help support hydration, circulation to vital organs, and blood pressure.
Pain management: Surgical patients receive pain management before, during, and after their procedure. Medication may also be prescribed for home use.
Our team will review recommended services and available options with you before surgery.
Risks and Possible Complications
All anesthesia and surgery carry risks, even when appropriate precautions are taken. Risks depend on the procedure and your pet’s health and may include bleeding, infection, swelling, delayed healing, suture reactions, and anesthetic complications. Serious complications, including death, are possible but rare. Our team works very hard to minimize any complications your pet may experience.
Your veterinarian will discuss risks specific to your pet’s planned procedure. Please ask any questions you may have before signing the surgery and anesthesia consent forms.
Surgery Day and Going Home
- Stay reachable: Provide a reliable phone number and remain available throughout the day. If we cannot reach you for necessary decisions or authorization, your pet’s procedure may need to be postponed.
- Updates: You are welcome to call for an update. Discharge timing depends on your pet’s procedure and recovery.
- Discharge instructions: When your pet is ready to go home, a team member will review recovery instructions with you and provide a written copy and/or email.
- Home care: Follow all directions for medications, feeding, activity restrictions, incision care, and follow-up visits. Your discharge instructions will explain which concerns require a call to our hospital or emergency veterinary care.
Additional recovery support may be appropriate for some patients. Ask our team about pain management, laser therapy, or post-surgical boarding.
Owner Acknowledgment
Please read this information carefully and contact our team with any questions before signing.
By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read and understand these surgical preparation instructions and the general information about anesthesia, monitoring, and recovery. I have had the opportunity to ask questions and understand that anesthesia and surgery carry risks.
I understand that this acknowledgment confirms my understanding of the surgical preparation information only. Authorization for my pet’s specific procedure and anesthesia must be documented in the separate surgery and anesthesia consent form.
Please complete the patient and procedure information below before signing.