How to Prepare Your Pet for Surgery

When your pet needs surgery, knowing how to prepare them for it is important. Some types of surgery, such as spaying and neutering, are common and simple procedures. Others are more complicated. At Westside Animal Hospital, our veterinarians in Cincinnati perform a wide range of surgical procedures. Our animal hospital offers the following tips on making sure your pet is ready for surgery.

What to Expect

Keep Food and Water Out of Reach: You’ll typically need to avoid feeding your pet or letting them drink the day of surgery if they will be under anesthesia. Our vet will let you know if you should also avoid feeding them any earlier, such as the night before.

Ask About Medications: If your pet usually takes medication, ask if you should stop giving it to them before surgery. In some cases, you might need to wait until after the procedure to give your pet medication again.

Pack for an Overnight Stay: If your pet will be at the hospital overnight, pack food for them. You should also pack any medications they take, along with any other items that are needed.

Ask When to Bring Your Pet in for Surgery: Our vet will have you bring your pet to our animal hospital at a certain time for their scheduled surgery. In some cases, we might have you bring your pet in the night before their procedure and have them stay overnight.

Stay Calm Around Your Pet: Pets can pick up on our anxiety, which can make them nervous. Act calm around your pet, even if you’re worried about their surgery. Keep in mind that we spay, neuter, and perform other procedures at our animal hospital on a regular basis, so your pet is in good hands.

Contact Our Animal Hospital in Cincinnati, OH

If your pet needs surgery, please contact Westside Animal Hospital at (513) 574-5000 to make an appointment with our vet. Are you looking for a veterinarian near me? Whether you need our veterinarian to spay or neuter your pet or do another surgical procedure, you can count on us for compassionate, high-quality care.