Surgery

Our first-class double surgery suite is well-equipped for all kinds of surgeries — routine or emergency — including spay, neuter, soft tissue surgery (such as mass removal), laceration repair, bloat, cesarean section, and more.

Gray cat wearing a protective cone while sleeping on a bed at home after surgery

What do I need to know before my pet has surgery?

Before your pet has any kind of planned surgery, we will see them for a pre-op appointment to discuss the procedure and check your pet’s health. This will include a physical exam, as well as bloodwork, to ensure your pet is healthy enough to undergo the procedure, including anesthesia and recovery. When you drop your pet off with us the next morning, they should should be fasted (no breakfast!), but they can continue to have access to water. Most patients will be able to go home later the same afternoon.

How do I care for my pet after surgery?

Your pet’s recovery time and any specific post-op care requirements will largely depend on the type of surgery performed. Most pets recover relatively quickly after anesthesia, however they may be tired, woozy, or anxious for the rest of the night.

We will provide you with written discharge instructions and go over them with you before you leave. There may be post-op pain medications or antibiotics provided, and an E-collar (Elizabethan collar, aka cone of shame) for your pet to wear during their recovery. While they may seem pitiful or upset about it, it is absolutely critical that they not be allowed access to lick or chew their surgery site. They will get used to it within a couple of days! Donuts and inflatable collars are NOT recommended! Your pet should generally be kept calm in a quiet room or space where they cannot jump or play. Most pets can return to their regular feeding schedule the night of their procedure.

Before you leave with your pet we will schedule a (free!) post-op exam in approximately 10-14 days so that we can check your pet’s healing progress, and remove any stitches or staples as required.

Pet Surgery Questions

You might be wondering…

Depending on the complexity of the procedure, time for the surgery itself could take anywhere from 10-15 minutes, up to 2 hours or more. For most surgeries, you’ll drop your pet off in the morning and be able to pick them up later that same day, after they’ve recovered from the anesthesia under our supervised care. For more complex surgeries, your pet may require a longer period of hospitalization. We will discuss your pet’s specific needs during your visit.

In some cases, yes. When you pick up your pet from surgery we will schedule a follow-up visit with you in 10-14 days, if required. This will allow the veterinarian to check the surgical site and make sure your pet is healing the way they should, as well as remove any stitches or staples, if required. Routine follow-up appointments are so important that we make them FREE here at Verdigris Pet Hospital! In rare cases, we may find that your pet requires further medical treatment, in which case we’ll draft a fresh estimate for your pet’s ongoing care needs.

Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Pet surgery costs vary depending on a lot of different factors, including the type of procedure itself, your pet’s sex, weight, health status, and more. Costs may also vary depending on any wellness plans or insurances you have for your pet. We’ll always prepare an estimate in advance for you, and review any financing options that might be available. Send us an email at hi@verdigrispets.com to inquire about potential costs for your pet’s surgery. However, in some cases, please note that we will only be able to provide an estimate after physical examination of your pet.

In most cases, yes. Some minor biopsies or mass removals can be done with mild sedation and local anesthetics, but the majority of surgeries are more invasive and will require anesthesia. You want your pet to be unconscious and unable to feel anything during the procedure! We will first give them injectable drugs to make them sleepy, and provide pain relief. Most pets will then be maintained on an inhalant anesthetic until the surgery is complete. Each pet has a personalized anesthesia plan, and will be continually monitored throughout their time in our care.

The veterinarian will always call you after surgery is complete to let you know how the procedure went, but we will still need to keep your pet in our care for several hours while they recover. This lets us monitor them for any potential post-surgical complications or adverse reactions, adjust pain medications if needed, and ensure they are fully awake and able to walk stably after the anesthesia has worn off. Our team will call you again when your pet is ready to go home!

Paw-sitive Vibes Only →

Modern Pet Care

With all new, top-of-the-line equipment and a gorgeous new facility, we’re modernizing the entire pet care experience. Our hybrid primary-and-emergency care model eliminates day-to-ER transfers, reducing stress on both pets and owners, while also allowing for consistency in treatment planning and standard of care.