Surgery
At Gateway Animal Clinic, surgery is part of our day to day routine. We understand, however, that to you and your pet, it’s not routine. Because of this, surgery can be a great source of anxiety. You probably have a lot of questions and concerns about your pet’s wellbeing, safety and whether or your animal will be in pain. We want to place your mind at ease. That’s why we work so hard to make sure that each and every surgery performed in our hospital is as positive and stress-free as possible.
Our doctors are experienced in all the latest surgical techniques, and our highly skilled care team is available to always ensure your pet’s safety and comfort while in our care. Rest assured that your loved one will be in compassionate, capable hands with us!
Before your pet’s surgery…..
Prior to performing any type of surgery, we want to make sure that your pet is healthy and strong enough to undergo the procedure. We always recommend pre-surgical screening. By running these routine tests ahead of time, we can identify potential risks that may be unique to your pet and plan for them accordingly. The more prepared we are ahead of time; the smoother your loved one’s surgery will go.
The day of your pet’s surgery…….
On the morning of your pet’s surgery, you are to arrive at the clinic for a 7:45 a.m. check in time. A member of our team will help you complete any necessary paperwork while another dedicated staff member tends to your pet. We encourage you to use this time to ask any questions or bring up any last minute concerns you may have so that we can help you feel more comfortable about leaving your companion in our care.
When your pet is safely sedated and prepped for surgery, the doctor will then begin the procedure. Our team of technicians and assistants will remain on hand to help the doctor as needed, and to closely monitor your pet’s wellbeing using up to date equipment. We take extra care during every surgery to ensure patient comfort and safety, regardless of whether the procedure is routine or something more complex.
Post surgery and aftercare instructions……….
When your pet’s surgery is complete, he or she will be carefully relocated to the recovery area. There, we will continue to monitor your pet as the anesthesia begins to wear off. You will be asked to pick up your pet by 3:30 p.m. or after. When you arrive, we will give a surgery report and go over our aftercare instructions. This will include an appropriate plan for managing your companion’s pain at home during the recovery process.
