The following are general guidelines that apply to routine procedures at Hackettstown Animal Hospital. Please remember that these are general guidelines and any instructions that are given to you by the veterinarian regarding your pet should supersede anything written here.
Pre-operative Instructions (for pets requiring anesthesia)
Please withhold food and water after 8:00 pm the night before the procedure is to be done.
Please bring your pet to the hospital the morning of the procedure between 8:00 and 8:30 am. Alternatively, you may make an appointment to admit your pet the evening before the procedure at no additional charge.
Pre-anesthetic Lab work
When you place your pet in our hands, you trust us to provide the best possible medical care. That is why we may recommend certain tests when your pet is having a medical problem or is scheduled for anesthesia.
Regardless of age, physical examination and medical history of your pet, we recommend diagnostic testing to identify health problems and begin treatment as early as possible. These tests are especially helpful when your pet just isn't feeling right and symptoms are hard to define.
If your pet is going to be placed under anesthesia, we strongly recommend pre-anesthetic testing. Anesthesia is extremely safe for healthy pets. But, if your pet is not healthy (and sometimes it is hard to tell without testing), complications can occur both during and after the anesthetic procedure. We can minimize potential risk when we know the health status of your pet before administering anesthesia.
Further information regarding pre-anesthetic lab work will be discussed with you during admission.
Discharge Instructions
Below, are general discharge instructions for many of the routine surgeries performed at Hackettstown Animal Hospital. Please remember that these are general guidelines and any instructions that are given to you by the veterinarian regarding your pet should supersede the following.
General Information
It is important to keep both dogs and cats indoors and as calm and as quiet as is possible for the seven day period following surgery. Discourage running, jumping, climbing, as well as any sort of rough play. For dogs, exercise should be limited to 10-15 minute walks while on a short leash several times throughout the day.
Frequently, animals will want to eat or drink excessively during the 24 hour period following surgery which can result in vomiting. To avoid this, the amount of food and water which your animal would usually consume should be divided into three or four small portions which may be offered six to eight hours apart. Your pet's normal feeding schedule may be resumed after this initial 24 hour period. If your animal either refused food or vomits after 24 hour period immediately following surgery, you should contact your clinic. You should observe your pet's urination and bowel habits. If they are not normal within 24 hours, call your clinic.
It is possible that your animal may be lethargic, inactive, or slightly uncoordinated for the first 24-48 hours after anesthesia. Their reflexes may be inexact during this period so they should not be admitted into areas wherein they might fall or otherwise injure themselves. If normal activity and coordination do not return within 48 hours, contact your clinic. Some animals may cough for one to two days following anesthesia. If this persists for more than two days, call your clinic.
Surgical Incisions
Inspect the surgical incision daily. A small amount of swelling and reddening is normal, but should not persist for more than five days following surgery. Any discharge or drainage from the incision should be reported to your clinic. Licking, chewing, or scratching at the incision can result in the removal of the sutures and infection. If this occurs, your pet should have an e-collar placed at all times. Your animal should not be bathed or go swimming until the sutures are appropriately removed. Sutures are usually removed within seven to ten days after surgery. There is no charge for suture removal, but an appointment is required for the procedure.
Bandages
Bandages must be kept dry. If they are wet they must be changed within 24 hours. A cat with a bandage should be kept indoors until the bandage is properly removed. A plastic bag may be placed over a bandaged limb to protect it from becoming wet when taking your dog outside during rainy weather. If you do this, the plastic bag must be removed within 30 minutes to prevent moisture buildup. Chewing at bandages should be discouraged.
Medication
Give all medications as directed. Tablets or capsules can be imbedded in a small piece of food and offered as a treat. Try offering the animal a piece of food without medication first. This works best if the animal has not just been fed. If this does not work, the tablet or capsule may be placed in the back of the animal's throat. Our staff can show you how to do this in order to force the animal to swallow. If you have trouble with this, please contact your clinic.