Pre-Operative Information

Ensure your pet is prepared for their procedure

If your pet requires a surgical/medical procedure we may request that we admit them to the practice for the day. This can be arranged at a mutually convenient time and can usually be booked within the following week. We usually ask for pets to be dropped off at the practice between 8:30 and 9am. This allows us to settle them into their kennel, take pre-operative bloods and give them their pre-med. On arrival at the practice the nurse will admit your pet and go through the consent form with you and answer any questions you have about the procedure which is to take place.

We are unlikely to be able to give an accurate time as to when your pet's procedure will take place due to the possibilities of emergencies occurring which may delay surgery.

We aim to complete procedures as soon as possible and discharge appointments often begin at around 3pm. We will contact you when you pet is recovering to arrange a time for collection although please feel free to ring at anytime during the day if you would like a progress report regarding your pet.

In most cases your pet will be able to go home the same night following a procedure. If overnight hospitalisation is necessary a vet or nurse will discuss this with you.

There are a few pre-operative instructions to be followed:

Pre-operative instructions for cat and dogs

  • Please do not give your pet anything to eat (including treats!) after midnight before the procedure is to take place.
  • There is no need to withhold water prior to the procedure.
  • If your pet is on any medication (tablets/drops/injections) please contact the surgery to find out whether these should be given on the morning of the procedure.
  • Please keep cats in the night prior to the procedure to ensure that they do not hunt and eat overnight.
  • Please take dogs for a walk before bringing them into the surgery to allow them to empty their bladder/bowels.
  • Please bring your pet into the practice secured on a lead or in a secure cage/carrier/box, NOT loose in your arms.

Pre-operative care for rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets and rodents

  • There is no need to withhold food or water prior to the procedure.
  • Please bring a small amount of your pet's normal food with you to the practice. This allows us to offer them some familiar food once they awake from their procedure.
  • If your pet is on any medication (tablets/drops/injections) please contact the surgery to find out whether these should be given on the morning of the procedure.
  • Please bring your pet into the practice secured on a lead or in a secure cage/carrier/box, NOT loose in your arms.

If you have any questions regarding the pre-operative care of your pet, please do not hesitate to contact the surgery.