Surgery

In our continuing efforts to offer the highest quality veterinary medicine, Animal Hospital of University Drive is pleased to provide a wide range of surgical services for our patients. From routine surgical procedures, such as spaying and neutering, to more complex surgeries, we look forward to the opportunity to care for your pet’s surgical needs.

Our staff is highly skilled in performing veterinary surgeries and will make every effort to ensure that your pet receives the very best care. Our focus on patient safety, pain management, and employing the most current surgical practices is designed to exceed your expectations and put your concerns to rest. Our staff of compassionate, caring professionals will monitor your pet before, during, and after surgery and will take exceptional care to ensure a safe and complete recovery for your pet. We will also address any questions or concerns you may have about surgery, including concerns about anesthesia, pain management, or postoperative care.

When your pet is ready to go home, we will review your postoperative care and medication instructions. If any questions arise after your pet returns home or at any other time during the postoperative period, call us. We welcome your questions and will do all we can to help your pet recover fully. Help is only a phone call away.

Surgery can be a source of anxiety and stress for many pet owners. Maybe you worry about whether your pet will be well cared for, or perhaps you have concerns about adequate precautions and monitoring. Let us address your concerns. Whether your pet needs minor surgery or a complex procedure, call us. Let’s discuss how our surgical services can benefit your pet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Many pet owners have questions about surgery of their pet’s surgery/anesthesia, and we hope this information will help.

Do I feed my pet before surgery?

It is important to withhold food for 8-10 hours before surgery. Water can be left down for your pet.

Will my pet need to have stitches removed?

Most surgical procedures utilize dissolvable sutures which do not require removal. If your pet has external skin stitches, they will be removed 10-14 days after surgery.

Will my pet stay over night after surgery?

Almost all surgery patients are released the same day of surgery. Once surgery is completed, a staff member will call you and let you know when you may pick up your pet.

What time should I drop off my pet for surgery?

Patients may be presented between 7 A.M. and 9 A.M. for surgery. Also, allot 5 minutes or so to read and sign an anesthesia consent form.

Pre-anesthetic blood testing is important in reducing the risk of anesthesia and alerts us to underlying internal conditions that are undetectable on a physical examination. This profile screens for diabetes, anemia, as well as assessing the liver and kidney function of your pet. If we have not performed blood work within the past 30 days, this blood profile will be run before the procedure.

At Animal Hospital of University Drive, every anesthetized patient will receive an I.V. catheter for fluid and drug administration. Fluid administration will maintain hydration status as well as blood pressure.

Pets recover faster and have fewer complications when pain and stress are minimized. Injectable pain medications are used in the clinic and 3-5 days of oral medication is dispensed for post operative administration at home.