PRE & POST OP CARE | Belridge Vet Centre

Surgical procedures are a big deal for our little ones, and with the right preparation and careful planning, pet parents can make the experience a positive one, both before and after surgery.

PRE & POST

OPERATIVE CARE

BOOKING

Recovery from surgery requires a lot of TLC, as well as a few rechecks. Generally, for a simple surgery, you should allow for at least 2 days post surgery to be home, but one week at home is generally best if you work long hours or have more than one pet.

FINANCES

Surgery can be expensive. So ensure you have enough to cover the procedure cost, as well as some put aside for an elizabethan collar if you don't already have one (excludes dentals), optional pre-anaesthetic blood testing and IV fluids. See 'Servicing Pricing for more info.

BATHING

Though not essential, it is a good idea to bath your pet from a week to a couple days before surgery, as this not only helps to prevent contamination, but once your pet has surgery, they cannot be bathed for two weeks.

FASTING

Fasting is essential for any sedation or general anaesthetic. An empty stomach prevents complications associated with aspiration. For a surgical procedure, your pet will need to be fasted from 8pm the night before surgery.

EXERCISE

If possible, it is a good idea to take your dog for a walk before their surgical admission, which is between 8am to 9am. This can help alleviate boredom anxiety, as well as allow them time to go to the toilet.

SURGERY DAY

Surgical admission is between 8am to 9am. Surgery is usually performed after 12pm, and discharge is roughly between 4pm to 6pm (excludes major surgeries). Please make sure your phone is on and loud, so we can call you if we need to regarding additional findings, blood results, etc. during the anaesthetic.

AFTER SURGERY

RECHECKS

We will need to see your pet for rechecks after surgery, every surgery and dental requires a two day post operation recheck, to make sure everything is looking good. For simple surgeries, a second check is required for suture removal, for major surgeries, rechecks may be more frequent. Rechecks are included in the surgical cost.

RESTING

Surgery for animals is similar for humans, and resting to allow healing is important. You will need to keep your pet as quiet as possible, especially in the first couple of days. Try to avoid allowing your pet to jump up on couches, beds etc. as excessive movement can damage the healing tissue.

THE CONE

The Elizabethan Collar is the cone we put around their heads to prevent them from damaging their surgical site. It needs to stay on at all times, even while you are home. Any surgery breakdown is the owners financial responsibility. We know it's hard to resist taking it off, but please don't. The elizabethan collar can come off once we remove the sutures, or they have fully dissolved.

FEEDING

The night of discharge, routine procedures may have a small meal, about half the size of their normal meal. Dental procedures require soft food for the first two days post op, 14 days post op if extractions were performed. Eating & Drinking can be difficult with the cone, and bowls may need to be elevated on a step stool etc. to accommodate this.

EXERCISE

For soft tissue surgeries, on-lead walks are permitted, as long as their is no off lead activity, or jogging/running. This is for the first 12-14 days. Once sutures are removed, you can exercise your dog as per normal. Please avoid any activities that involve your pet getting wet ie. swimming, baths, rain etc. until after the sutures are removed.