Pre-Surgery & In-Patient Instructions

General Surgery and Dentistry
It is important that your pet’s stomach be empty on the day of the surgery. Please do not feed your pet after 8pm the night before the surgery, and do not give any water after midnight. We do not know what time your pet’s surgery will begin, because that depends on whether we have cancellations, the results of the doctor’s presurgical examinations, whether there are incoming emergencies, and more. We will call you when your pet’s surgery is over and update you.

When you drop off your pet between 7:30 and 8:30 in the morning, we will schedule a pick-up time with you between 4:30 and 5:30pm for most surgeries unless the doctor has discussed something different with you.


Orthopedic surgery
It is important that your pet’s stomach be empty the day of the surgery. Please do not feed your pet after 8pm the night before the surgery, and do not give any water after midnight. We do not know what time your pet’s surgery will begin, because that depends on whether we have cancellations, the results of the doctor’s presurgical examinations, whether there are incoming emergencies, and more. We will call you when your pet’s surgery is over and update you.

When you drop off your pet between 7:30 and 8:30 in the morning, we will schedule a pick-up time with you between 4:30 and 5:30pm for most surgeries unless the doctor has discussed something different with you. In a few cases, orthopedic patients may spend the night and be released the following day.


Ultrasound
Please do not feed your pet after 8pm the night before the ultrasound, although it is fine for your pet to have water.


Low-Dose Dexamethasone Test
Please do not feed your pet after 8pm the night before the test, although it is fine for your pet to have water. Expect your pet to be with us for 8 & 1/2 hours.


Blood Glucose Curve
Give food and insulin at normal time in the morning. Bring food and insulin along to your appointment.


ACTH Stim Test
This test should be scheduled to begin 3 hours after your pet’s morning pill. Please do not feed your pet after 8pm the night before the test although it is fine for your pet to have water. The test requires two blood draws one hour apart, so expect your pet to be with us for a 1 & 1/2 hour period. Your pet cannot be vaccinated the same day it undergoes this test.


Progesterone Test
This test should be scheduled 5-7 days after the onset of a heat cycle.
We will test every 2-3 days thereafter. Breeding should occur on days
3 and 5 or days 4 and 6 post-ovulation.