Surgery can be a stressful experience for pet owners, but proper preparation can help make the process smoother and less worrisome. This guide is for pet owners who want to ensure their pets are safe and comfortable before, during, and after surgery. I cover everything from pre-surgical consultations to preparing your home and family for your pet’s recovery.
If you are preparing your pet for surgery, these ten tips will help you and your family feel confident and ready. Preparing your pet for surgery helps reduce anxiety, lowers medical risks, and supports a smoother recovery. Below are ten tips for preparing your pet for surgery. These include discussing the procedure with your veterinarian, performing preoperative tests such as blood tests to assess your pet’s overall health and identify any issues before anesthesia, updating pet vaccinations if needed, grooming them if they are regularly groomed, not feeding them before surgery, and more.
The most important thing you can do is plan ahead—early preparation is key to ensuring a safe and smooth surgical experience for your pet. Taking these steps will ensure that both you and your pet are ready for the surgery and minimize any risks or complications during the procedure.
1. Discuss with your veterinarian the reasons for choosing a particular surgical procedure and any expected outcome
Why Consultation Matters
While some surgical procedures can be emergent, requiring a pet to be rushed straight into the operating room and leaving little time for prolonged preparation, most procedures performed in veterinary medicine are elective. A consultation with your pet’s surgeon is the first step in preparing your pet for surgery. Friends, family, and Dr. Google can help, but a discussion with your pet’s surgeon is invaluable.
Your pet’s surgeon may be your primary care veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary surgery specialist. Your pet’s surgeon will discuss your pet’s medical condition and treatment options.
What to Discuss
The reasons why they chose to recommend a particular surgical procedure for treating your pet
A comparison with alternative surgical and non-surgical treatments, if applicable
Expected outcomes, recovery times, and complications of the chosen procedure
Once you have discussed the procedure with your veterinarian, the next step is to ensure your pet is healthy enough for surgery through preoperative tests.
2. Prepare family members (especially children) by talking about your pet's surgery in general terms and answering any questions they may have
Family Preparation
Prepare family members, especially children, for your dog’s surgery by discussing the procedure in general terms and answering any questions they may have. Express your confidence that pet surgery will help pets feel better soon.
Post-Operative Care
Post-operative care should also be discussed to ensure your pet gets plenty of rest and a healthy diet following pet surgery. Discuss pet safety in pet surgery, including anesthesia and pain control. Reassure children that pet surgeons and pet hospital staff will take excellent care of their pets during pet surgery and recovery.
After preparing your family, it’s time to focus on your pet’s health and readiness for surgery.
3. Perform preoperative tests to identify, confirm, and define your pet's problems
What Are Preoperative Tests?
Preoperative tests, such as blood work, are recommended by your veterinarian to assess your pet’s health before anesthesia. These tests help assess your pet’s health and suitability for anesthesia, ensuring their safety during the procedure.
Common Preoperative Tests
Most pet surgeons will request a pre-surgical consultation, during which your veterinarian will perform a physical exam and often recommend pre-anesthetic blood work. Depending on your pet’s medical condition and age, additional tests may include:
Complete blood count (CBC)
Serum biochemical profile
Urinalysis
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Radiographs (X-rays)
Some pet surgeons may also order specific tests designed to identify pet medical conditions and guide the pet surgeon in choosing the optimal surgical procedure for your pet.
Once your pet’s health has been evaluated, the next step is to ensure their vaccinations are up to date.
4. Update your pet's vaccination if necessary
Why Vaccinations Matter
One tip for preparing your pet for surgery is to ensure your pet’s vaccination status is up to date before the scheduled surgery. Rabies vaccination status is essential, as some facilities will not admit a pet for hospitalization unless its rabies vaccination is up to date.
Types of Vaccines
Core and non-core vaccines for your pet should be updated as necessary if they are overdue. These vaccines protect your pet from infections that may occur during surgery and can also help protect other pets in the hospital from disease.
With vaccinations up to date, consider your pet’s grooming needs before surgery.
5. Groom your pet if regularly done
Timing and Benefits
If pet grooming is part of your pet’s routine, it should be done a few days before surgery. Grooming helps keep the pet’s skin clean and free of matted fur, which can harbor bacteria or interfere with your pet’s anesthesia.
It is also likely that you will not be able to groom your pet for several days or weeks after the surgical procedure, and this may extend to a couple of months for procedures that involve wearing a cast or other long-term dressings.
After grooming, it’s important to follow your veterinarian’s fasting instructions before surgery.
6. Do not feed your pet before surgery
Fasting Guidelines
To ensure your pet has an empty stomach before surgery, it is essential to follow your veterinarian’s fasting guidelines. Here are the typical steps:
Adult pets generally require 8-12 hours of fasting before surgery, which usually means no food after midnight the night before.
Most pets must fast for several hours before anesthesia.
Water may also be restricted—typically, pets can drink water until two hours before surgery, unless otherwise instructed.
Avoid feeding your pet on the morning of surgery unless your veterinarian directs you to do so.
Always verify specific instructions for young pets under 4 months of age.
Why Fasting is Important
Fasting is essential because it helps manage anesthesia and ensures optimum safety for your pet throughout the procedure. Failing to follow fasting guidelines can be potentially life-threatening, as food in the stomach increases the risk of regurgitation and aspiration under anesthesia.
Special Cases
Some patients, such as diabetic, hypoglycemic, or pediatric patients, need special feeding instructions; your pet’s surgeon will determine this. For example, if surgery is scheduled for late in the day, a puppy may be fed in the morning, but your veterinarian may prefer to do it in the hospital.
It is critical that you follow all fasting and medication instructions carefully; if not, it may be necessary to postpone the surgery to protect your pet’s safety.
Once fasting is complete, you’ll need to prepare for the day of surgery and your pet’s arrival at the clinic.
7. Drop off your pet early in the morning for last-minute diagnostic tests
Why Early Drop-Off Matters
Drop off your pet early in the morning, or at least two hours before pet surgery to allow enough time for the pet hospital personnel to perform preoperative diagnostic tests. This way, pet surgeons have an accurate picture of the pet’s health before surgery and can adjust the pet’s anesthesia plan accordingly.
After drop-off, make sure the hospital staff has all the information they need about your pet.
8. Provide written instructions on medications and dietary needs to hospital staff
What to Include
It is important to follow your veterinarian’s specific instructions about medications before surgery, as these are tailored to your pet’s individual health and safety. Provide the pet hospital staff with written, specific instructions regarding your pet’s:
Current medications
Diet
Exercise needs
This will help pet hospital staff provide the best care for your pet during surgery and recovery. Pet hospitals usually have an admission form to collect your current contact information and details about your pet’s medications and any special dietary needs. Make sure this is written if no such documents exist.
Before leaving your pet, review all necessary paperwork and consent forms.
9. Sign fee estimates and legal consent forms
Review and Ask Questions
Before pet surgery, pet owners should review their pet hospital’s fee estimates and legal consent forms. Pet owners should also ask their pet’s surgeons to explain any fees that are not clear.
Once all forms are signed, discuss emergency scenarios with your veterinary team.
10. Discuss options with your pet surgeon or their staff regarding cardiopulmonary arrest scenarios
Emergency Planning
Discuss the pet hospital’s plan for pet cardiopulmonary arrest with your pet surgeon and their staff. Pet owners should be aware of the pet hospital’s policies and procedures for pet cardiopulmonary arrest and ensure they agree with them.
After all medical and administrative preparations, it’s time to get your home ready for your pet’s recovery.
11. Prepare a quiet, comfortable recovery area at home before surgery
Setting Up the Recovery Space
Before your pet returns home, set up a quiet, comfortable recovery area away from high-traffic areas and other pets. This space should include:
Soft bedding for comfort
Limited space to restrict movement and prevent jumping or running
An Elizabethan collar or recovery suit to prevent licking or chewing at the incision site
Your pet’s favorite blanket or toy for reassurance
Creating a Calm Environment
Avoid loud noises and sudden changes to create a stress-free environment for your pet. Spending extra time cuddling or taking your pet on a relaxed walk before surgery can help reduce their stress. Your calm presence and gentle reassurance can significantly lower your pet’s anxiety.
With your home prepared, make sure you’re ready for the logistics of surgery day.
12. Provide a reliable phone number to the veterinary clinic for updates on the day of surgery
Make sure the veterinary clinic has a reliable phone number where you can be reached throughout the day of the surgery. This ensures you receive timely updates and can be contacted quickly if any decisions need to be made.
13. Transport your pet safely to the clinic
For your pet’s safety, transport cats and small dogs in a secure carrier. Larger dogs should be brought on a leash and harness. This helps prevent accidents and keeps your pet calm and secure during the trip to the clinic.
Preparing your pet for surgery requires proper planning, attention to detail, and a commitment to your pet’s well-being. Pet surgery can be a challenging experience for pet owners and families, but following these tips can help pet owners prepare their pets (and families) for surgery and reduce the stress associated with it.
Remember, your pet’s safety and comfort are the most important things. These tips should help ensure that your pet’s surgical experience is safe, effective, and successful. With the right preparation and compassionate care, both you and your furry friend can navigate the surgery experience with confidence and look forward to a healthy recovery. Consulting with a veterinary professional for more pet surgery preparation tips is always a good idea. Good luck!
