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Many people have questions about various aspects of their pet's surgery, and we hope this information will help. It also explains the decisions you will need to make before your pet's upcoming surgery.
Is the anesthetic safe?
Modern anesthetic monitoring has made surgery safer than ever before for pets. At Animal Hospital of De Pere, your pet’s safety is our top priority from start to finish.
Before anesthesia is administered, every pet receives a thorough physical exam to help identify any signs of illness, fever, or underlying concerns that could affect the procedure. We also tailor the type and amount of anesthetic used based on your pet’s age, health, and individual needs.
Pre-anesthetic blood testing is strongly recommended because it helps us evaluate how your pet’s liver and kidneys are functioning before surgery. Even pets that appear perfectly healthy can have underlying issues that are not visible during a physical exam alone. Identifying concerns early allows us to reduce anesthetic risk and make the safest decisions possible for your pet’s care.
For pets with mild abnormalities, IV fluids during surgery may help support circulation and recovery. If more serious concerns are found, surgery may be postponed until the issue can be addressed safely.
We offer convenient in-house blood testing prior to surgery. For senior pets or pets with medical conditions, additional testing such as X-rays or an ECG may also be recommended.
To help prevent nausea or vomiting during anesthesia, pets should not eat for at least 10 hours before surgery. Water is okay to leave available until the morning of the procedure.
Will my pet have stitches?
For most surgical procedures, we use skin sutures to close your pet’s incision. Whether sutures are visible externally or placed under the skin, it’s important to monitor the incision daily during recovery.
Please watch for:
• Swelling
• Redness
• Discharge
• Excessive licking or chewing at the incision site
Many pets will try to lick their incision, which can delay healing or lead to infection. An e-collar or recovery suit may be recommended to help protect the area.
If your pet has external sutures or staples, they are typically removed about 10 days after surgery unless otherwise directed by your veterinarian.
Activity restriction is also an important part of recovery. Running, jumping, rough play, and bathing should be avoided for at least 10 days after surgery to allow proper healing.
Will my pet be in pain?
The type and amount of pain medication used depends on the procedure being performed. Major surgeries require more pain control than minor procedures, and every pet’s recovery needs are assessed individually.
For dogs, we may prescribe an oral anti-inflammatory medication starting the day after surgery to help reduce discomfort and swelling during recovery.
For cats, we commonly use Zorbium®, a long-acting topical opioid medication that provides pain relief after surgery. Recent advances in veterinary medicine have made pain control for cats safer and more effective than ever before.
Because cats cannot safely tolerate many over-the-counter human medications such as Tylenol®, ibuprofen, or aspirin, it is extremely important not to give any medications at home unless specifically directed by your veterinarian.
Additional injectable pain medications may also be used after surgery for both dogs and cats when needed. If your pet appears uncomfortable during recovery, please contact us. Keeping your pet comfortable is an important part of healing and overall recovery.
What other decisions do I need to make?
While your pet is under anesthesia, it can be an ideal time to perform additional minor procedures such as a dental cleaning, ear cleaning, or microchip placement. If you are interested in additional services, please let us know ahead of time so we can provide an estimate and plan accordingly.
This is especially important if the person bringing your pet to surgery is not the primary decision maker for your pet’s care.
At your pet’s surgery appointment, please allow approximately 5–10 minutes for check-in paperwork, reviewing recommended services, and discussing any optional testing or treatments.
When your pet is ready to go home, we will also spend time reviewing discharge instructions, medications, activity restrictions, and home care recommendations. Please plan for about 10 minutes at pickup.
Our team will contact you the evening before your pet’s procedure to confirm drop-off instructions and answer any last-minute questions. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns regarding your pet’s surgery or health.
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