Questions to Ask Before Your Pet’s Surgery

It can be a scary and stressful situation if your veterinarian tells you that your pet needs surgery. To help you be better prepared it’s important to ask a few questions and discuss any concerns you may have before the procedure. Our veterinarians at Oak Grove Veterinary Hospital have gathered a few questions that you should ask before your pet’s surgery.

Is Surgery the Only Option?

Depending on the type of pet surgery your veterinarian is recommending, there may be other treatment options available. It’s important to discuss all of the treatment options for your pet’s condition to determine if surgery can be avoided or delayed. The veterinarian will explain the pros and cons of having the surgery or trying other options.

How Do I Prepare My Pet for Surgery?

Talk with your vet about the things that should and shouldn’t be done on the day before and the day of the surgery. For instance, your vet will likely advise you to not feed your pet for about 12 hours before the surgery to avoid possible complications with the anesthesia. It’s also important to keep your pet relaxed and calm when you bring him to the animal hospital for surgery. The calmer your pet is, the easier it will be for the surgical team to prepare your pet for the procedure.

Are There Risks with the Surgery?

It’s important to understand that there are risks with any surgery. The risks are often minimal and rare; however, in some situations, there may be a high risk of side effects or complications during the procedure. Knowing the risks beforehand will allow you to be prepared for potential issues.

Before leaving the animal hospital your veterinarian will provide you with a list of instructions on how to handle the post-op care for your pet. Make sure you have a full understanding of any medications that may be prescribed, including how often the medications are given and any side effects of the medications. Remember to ask when your pet can resume eating, walking, and other physical activities and when you should bring your pet back for follow-up care.

Contact Our Veterinarians in San Jose, CA

To learn more about pet surgery or post-op care for your pet, contact our team at Oak Grove Veterinary Hospital to speak with one of our veterinarians. Call our team today at (408) 227-1661 or reach us through our website by using our online contact form.

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Our front office does not close down for lunch.

Oak Grove Veterinary Hospital

Monday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm