Surgical Frequently Asked Questions

  • Will my pet be safe under anesthesia?

    • Yes, we take the utmost care here at Pawsh Veterinary Clinic to ensure your pet is safe when going under anesthesia. We do a complete physical as well as pre-surgical bloodwork to lookout for anything that may affect the procedure. While your pet is under anesthesia we continually monitor their vitals and assess their sedation level to ensure your pets health and recovery. During recovery, staff will continually check on the patient, making sure they are recovering as they should.

  • What do I do if my pet gets stitches?

    • In many procedures, your pet will go home with sutures. Its very important that the sutures not get wet for the first 14 days. This means pets should not lick the incision site for whatever reason. In most cases, the suture will dissolve slowly after the incision has healed, but you may be asked to come back to have the sutures removed.

  • Does my pet get any pain medication?

    • Yes, your pet will receive appropriate pain medication as part of their care plan. The specific pain management approach depends on the procedure and your pet's individual needs. Our goal is to ensure your pet's comfort and well-being throughout their treatment.

  • Why can’t I feed my pet before surgery?

    • Performing surgery on an empty stomach is extremely important to reduce the chance of regurgitation and aspiration of stomach contents during and after anesthesia. Food should be withheld for 8-10 hours before your pet’s surgical procedure. A small amount of water can be left down for your pet the night before surgery and picked up first thing in the morning.

  • Why does my pet need preanesthetic blood testing?

    • Preanesthetic blood testing is a crucial step before your pet's surgery. This diagnostic process helps assess internal organ function, even in outwardly healthy pets. Such testing is essential because hidden organ system issues can lead to complications during surgery and anesthesia. Preanesthetic blood work reveals:

      • Liver and Kidney Functionality

      • Anemia and White Blood Cell Count

      • Platelet Count for Clotting

      • Protein Levels for Healing and Clotting

      • Balanced Electrolytes for Stable Heart Function

    • Detecting minor medical issues allows adjustments to anesthesia and IV fluids during surgery. For more serious problems, surgery can be postponed until the issue is treated. Even minor infections can pose risks, making this testing a valuable precaution for your pet's safety.

  • Not seeing your question?

    • We’ve answered some of our most frequently asked surgical questions above. If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us via phone, text, or email. We’d be happy to answer any questions you may have.