Veterinary Surgery

At Unionville South Pet Hospital patient safety is a top priority. In our separate surgery room, we follow the strictest protocols to prevent contamination from pathogens and minimize the risk of infection.

Will my pet have stitches?

For many surgeries, we are able to use absorbable sutures below the skin which dissolve on their own, but for others, such as tumor removals, skin stitches are required. Skin sutures will usually be removed 10 to 14 days after surgery. With both types, the incision will need to be monitored closely for swelling or discharge. Depending on the type of procedure, your pet's activity level should be limited for a week or two. It's extremely important to prevent your pet from licking excessively or chewing at the incision and avoid bathing them for the first 10 days after surgery.

Will my pet be in pain?

Animals experience pain just like humans do, although they may not show the same symptoms. Whether or not your pet will need pain medication depends on the surgery performed as major procedures will likely require more pain relief.

For dogs, we may recommend an oral anti-inflammatory for several days after surgery to reduce discomfort and swelling. Newer medications are formulated to be less likely to cause stomach upset and can be given even the morning of surgery. Narcotic patches are also an option for some canine surgeries and the cost will depend on the size of the dog.

Pain relief for cats is tricky as they cannot have standard pain medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or Tylenol. Your cat will be given an injection 10 minutes prior to surgery to help relieve pain. After surgery, we will assess your cat's condition and give pain medication as needed.

Injectable pain medications may also be used after surgery on both dogs and cats and any animal that appears painful will receive additional pain medication.

Can you perform more than one procedure at a time?

While your pet is under anesthesia we can perform other minor procedures, such as dentistry, ear cleaning, or implanting an identification microchip. Please inquire prior to the day of surgery if you would like an estimate for any extra services, especially if the person dropping the pet off is not the primary decision maker for the pet's care.

Should I arrive early on the day of the surgery?

On the day of the surgery, please arrive 5-10 minutes early to complete paperwork and make decisions about blood testing and other options. Plan to spend about 10 minutes going over your pet's home care needs when you pick your pet up.

We will call you the night before your surgery appointment to confirm the drop-off time and answer any questions you have.  In the meantime, please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions about your pet's health or upcoming surgery.

Additional Resources

https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=5467568