Surgery Day Pre-Instructions Form

SURGERY DAY: WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT?

All of us at Gulfshore Animal Hospital understand your concerns as you approach the day your beloved pet is scheduled for surgery. By understanding our procedures and knowing what you can expect, we hope to relieve some of your anxiety.

The evening before surgery…
Feed your pet his or her usual evening meal with plenty of fresh water as usual. By midnight, please take away any remaining food, leaving the water bowl. Be sure that the garbage is not accessible.

The day of surgery…
Your pet should come to the office without food or water in the morning (no treats!). You should arrive at the hospital between 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. – please allow 15 minutes for the check-in process.

Once you have been checked in by our receptionists, a surgery technician will ask you to read and sign the release forms.

• The first release will discuss pre-anesthetic blood work
• The second release will itemize the projected services and the costs (estimate)

The technician admitting your pet will ask you some questions about your pet.

• If your pet is given medication on a regular basis you will be asked if the medication was given the morning of admission.
• You will be told when you can call to check on your pet.
• You will be told when your pet is expected to be discharged.
• You will have any of your questions answered – NO QUESTION will be considered unnecessary.
• You may be asked to leave a deposit when you sign the paperwork.
• Your pet’s leash/collar or pet carrier may remain in the hospital during his or her stay.

You will be told when you can call the hospital to check on your pet’s status.  You should have one family member assume the responsibility as spokesman for the family. You can feel comfortable checking on your pet several times during the day if this will put you at ease. Our role is to make this as painless as possible for both you and your pet.

Taking your pet home from the hospital…

It is a warming experience to reunite the pets we have cared for with their owners who have entrusted us with their special companions.

LENGTH OF STAY…

• Feline and Canine routine neuter – go home the same day
• Feline and Canine routine spay – go home the next day after 10:00 a.m.
• Feline declaw – go home the next day after 12:00 p.m.
• Feline and Canine dental – go home the same day

When will I pick up my pet?

In most cases, you will be told at the time of admission when your pet will be ready to go home. If not, you may call after 12:00 P.M. when the doctors have finished rounds and all of the hospital cases have been examined, treated, and/or evaluated.

How will I know what to do for my pet when we return home?

When you arrive at the hospital you will be given a set of discharge instructions, which will require your signature and a copy of your bill. We want the formalities taken care of first so that you can give your full attention to the technician’s discharge instructions and explanations before you and your pet are reunited.

• Your instruction sheet will tell you when to feed your pet next.
• Your pet’s activity should be restricted from the next 7-10 days.
• You should prevent your pet from licking or scratching at his or her incision site. In many cases your pet may be sent home with a plastic collar to prevent such activity.
• If your cat was declawed you will be asked to substitute the kitty litter with special litter or shredded newspaper so litter does not get caught in the incision.
• Your instruction sheet will also tell you if there are external sutures closing your pet’s incision and when they should be removed.