Caring for your dog or cat

Pre Anaesthetic Information

Post Operative Care Sheet

Pre Anaesthetic Information

If your pet is booked in for a day procedure with us, the following information should help to make the procedure as stress free as possible.

The day before : Feed you pet normally throughout the day, but withdraw food from 9pm on the day prior to the scheduled anaesthetic. This is to reduce the risk of vomiting whilst under anaesthetic. Water should still be available overnight but withdrawn on the morning of the procedure.

NB. This does not apply to rabbits, guinea pigs and other small furries which should be fed as normal before any procedure.
The morning of the anaesthetic : Please be at the practice between 8.00 and 8.30am on the day of the procedure. We will then go over any pre operative information, before admitting your pet to the surgery for the day.
Pre anaesthetic blood testing : The option of a pre anaesthetic blood test is available to all pets that are admitted for anaesthesia, but is particularly recommended for those over 8 years of age. These tests allow us to see how well your pets organs are functioning, and help to reveal any hidden health conditions that could put your pet at risk.
Once your pet has been admitted to the surgery, pre anaesthetic blood testing can take place. This will require a small amount of blood being taken. Assuming the blood results are all within normal ranges we will proceed to carry out the anaesthetic and the surgical procedure that your pet has been admitted for.
However should your pet’s blood results show any abnormalities, we would fully discuss the treatment options with you before continuing. This may include altering the anaesthetic procedure, or precautions being taken to safeguard your pet’s health, such as intravenous fluids. Alternatively we may postpone the anaesthetic until treatment has been carried out to treat the abnormality.
The day of the anaesthetic : We would ask you to telephone the surgery between 2-3pm for a progress update, at this point we should be able to give you an approximate time for collection of your pet.
When you come to collect you pet we will explain any post-operative care, further treatment or checks that are necessary.

If you have any worries or concerns prior to the surgery please don’t hesitate to call us. Tel : 01375 399033.

Post Operative Care Sheet

If your pet has undergone a general anaesthetic/sedation today and may be drowsy for up to 24 hours after discharge. Keep him/her warm and quiet tonight. It is recommended that he/she is kept indoors this evening, other than for necessary toilet activity. Cats will require a litter tray.

Special Instructions which may apply:

Food : Offer a small amount of the Recovery Diet provided tonight. This is a bland, easily digestible food, especially formulated for convalescing animals. If you prefer, a bland food such as boiled chicken or white fish can be fed alternately. This can continue to be fed over the next 24-48 hours, slowly reintroducing your pet’s normal food.
Water : We have also provided a sachet of Rehydration Support that should be dissolved into 500ml of warm water and offered over the next 24 hours in place of your pets normal drinking water. This acts to rehydrate your pet after the procedure. If your pet will not drink this, fresh drinking water should be instead provided.
Hair clipped : Hair may have been clipped where surgical preparation was necessary or where veins have been used to give injections or take blood samples.
Wound care : Check the wound daily for any excess swelling or ooze. If you have any concerns please contact the surgery.
Buster Collar : You have been provided with a Buster Collar to prevent your pet from chewing/licking at their wound. This should be secured using your pet’s collar or some bandage. It is necessary that this is longer than your pets nose to prevent interference with the wound. Your pet will be able to eat/drink with this in place, although some encouragement may be necessary at first.
Dressings : Your pet has a dressing to cover the wound in the immediate post-operative period. If this should fall off it is not an immediate problem as long as the Buster Collar is in place. If you notice that your pet is scratching the wound with their feet it may be necessary to contact the surgery to get another dressing.
Bandages : Your pet has a bandage in place, a Bandage Care Sheet will be provided. Please keep the bandage dry and clean. Foot dressings should also be covered with a strong plastic bag when outside.
Exercise Restriction : Anything from strict cage rest, to lead exercise may be required; the nurse will provide this information to you when you collect your pet.
Medication : Injections of pain relief and antibiotic, along with any other medication the vet deemed necessary will have been given during the procedure. Any post-operative medication that you will need to give will be discussed with you when you collect your pet from the surgery.
Next Appointment : Your pet will require post-operative checks, the timing of these will be outlined when you collect your pet from the surgery.

If you have any problems or questions regarding your pet’s post operative treatment please do not hesitate to contact the practice.

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