The phone call comes and your stomach drops. Your pet needs surgery. Maybe it’s something you’ve been planning, like a spay procedure, or maybe it’s unexpected. Either way, you’re probably feeling anxious about what comes next. I’ve seen hundreds of pet owners go through this, and the ones who do best are those who know what’s coming.
The Initial Veterinary Surgery Consultation
Your journey starts with a thorough consultation. This isn’t just a quick chat. Your veterinarian will examine your pet, review their medical history, and explain exactly why surgery is recommended. This is your chance to ask every question bouncing around in your head.
Good questions to ask: What happens if we don’t do the surgery? Are there alternative treatments? What’s your experience with this specific procedure? What are the realistic success rates? How many of these surgeries have you performed?
Don’t leave that room until you understand the procedure, the risks, and what recovery looks like. If your vet rushes you or makes you feel silly for asking questions, that’s a red flag. Facilities like Campbell Heights Animal Hospital typically schedule dedicated consultation time because they know informed pet owners make better decisions.
Pre-Operative Testing and Bloodwork
Before any surgical procedure, your pet needs pre-anesthetic bloodwork. This isn’t optional or just a money grab. These tests check kidney function, liver enzymes, red blood cell counts, and blood sugar levels. Anesthesia is processed through the liver and kidneys, so knowing these organs work properly is critical.
Older pets or those with health conditions might need additional testing. Chest X-rays check for heart disease or lung problems. An ECG monitors heart rhythm. These tests catch problems that could turn dangerous under anesthesia.
I’ve seen cases where pre-operative bloodwork revealed issues that required postponing surgery. One dog scheduled for a routine dental cleaning showed severely elevated kidney values. Proceeding with anesthesia could have been fatal. That $150 blood panel saved his life.
Pre-Surgery Instructions You Can’t Ignore
Your vet will give you specific instructions for the night before and morning of surgery. Follow them exactly.
Fasting Requirements Most pets need to fast for 8-12 hours before anesthesia. Food in the stomach during surgery can cause vomiting and aspiration pneumonia, which is life-threatening. If your pet vomits under anesthesia, that material can enter the lungs.
Water is usually allowed until a few hours before the procedure. Your veterinary team will give you exact times. Write them down because in your stress, you’ll forget.
Multi-pet households need special attention. If one pet is having surgery, separate them the night before so the surgical patient can’t steal food. I’ve had clients show up for surgery only to admit their dog raided the cat’s bowl at 6 a.m. That means rescheduling.
Medication Management Tell your vet about every medication and supplement your pet takes. Some need to be stopped before surgery, while others should continue. Blood thinners, certain heart medications, and some supplements can increase surgical bleeding.
Your vet might prescribe pre-operative medications to give at home. These reduce anxiety and provide pain relief before your pet even arrives at the animal hospital.
Drop-Off Day: What Actually Happens
Surgery day is stressful. You’ll drop off your pet, usually in the morning. Most veterinary hospitals in Surrey schedule surgeries between 8 a.m. and noon, though emergency procedures happen anytime.
Your pet will be checked in by a veterinary technician who confirms all your contact information and reviews the surgical consent form. Read this carefully. It outlines the procedure, potential risks, and gives permission for life-saving interventions if complications arise.
After you leave, your pet gets settled into a pre-surgery area. They’ll receive pre-anesthetic medications that calm them and reduce pain. An intravenous catheter is placed, usually in a front leg. This provides access for anesthesia drugs, fluids, and emergency medications if needed.
The Surgical Procedure Itself
You can’t be in the operating room, but understanding what happens helps ease your mind.
Anesthesia Induction Your pet receives injectable anesthesia through their IV catheter. They fall asleep within seconds. Once unconscious, a breathing tube is placed in their trachea. This connects to the anesthesia machine, which delivers oxygen mixed with anesthetic gas. The tube also protects their airway from fluids or vomit.
Monitoring Throughout Surgery A veterinary technician monitors your pet constantly. Equipment tracks heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and body temperature. These parameters get recorded every five minutes.
Pets lose body heat under anesthesia, so warming blankets or heated air systems maintain normal temperature. Low body temperature slows recovery and increases infection risk.
Sterile Surgical Technique The surgical site gets clipped and scrubbed with antiseptic solution. Surgeons scrub their hands like you see in medical shows, then wear sterile gowns and gloves. All instruments are sterilized. These protocols prevent surgical site infections.
Different procedures take different amounts of time. A cat spay might take 30-45 minutes. Complex orthopedic surgery for dogs can take 2-3 hours. Emergency surgeries are often longer because damaged tissue takes more time to repair.
Immediate Post-Operative Recovery
When surgery finishes, the anesthetic gas gets turned off but oxygen continues. Your pet starts waking up within minutes. They’re moved to a recovery area where staff watches them closely.
This is often the roughest period. Pets can be disoriented, whiny, or try to stand before they’re steady. Some shake or seem cold. This is all normal. Recovery can take 30 minutes to several hours depending on the procedure length and your pet’s age.
Your pet won’t be released until they’re fully awake, able to stand, and their vital signs are stable. Most surgical patients go home the same day, though major procedures might require overnight monitoring at an emergency facility.
The First 24 Hours at Home
Those first hours home are critical. Your pet will still be groggy and might act strangely. Some pets are clingy, others want to hide. Both reactions are normal responses to anesthesia and pain.
Pain Management After Surgery Your vet will send pain medication home. Give it exactly as prescribed, even if your pet seems comfortable. Pain medications work best when maintained at steady levels. Waiting until your pet is obviously hurting means they’ll suffer unnecessarily.
Signs of pain in dogs: panting, restlessness, reluctance to move, whining, or aggression when touched near the surgical site.
Signs of pain in cats: hiding, not eating, hunched posture, or avoiding interaction. Cats hide pain exceptionally well, so assume they’re uncomfortable even if they seem okay.
Creating a Recovery Space Set up a quiet area away from other pets and kids. Use a crate or small room if possible. Your pet needs rest without stimulation. The urge to play or jump can damage surgical repairs.
Food and Water Offer small amounts of water a few hours after arriving home. Too much too fast can cause vomiting. If water stays down, offer a small meal later that evening. Many pets aren’t interested in food for 12-24 hours, which is normal.
If your pet hasn’t eaten anything in 24 hours, call your veterinary clinic. Complete appetite loss can indicate problems.
The Dreaded E-Collar
That cone (Elizabethan collar or e-collar) is necessary. I know your pet hates it. I know they give you sad eyes. Put it back on anyway.
Licking surgical incisions introduces bacteria from the mouth directly into the wound. This causes infections that require antibiotics, sometimes additional surgery. Chewing at the incision can pull stitches out, opening the wound completely.
Your pet will adjust to the e-collar within 24-48 hours. They can eat, drink, and sleep with it on. If they truly can’t function, alternatives exist like inflatable collars or surgical recovery suits, but these don’t work for every pet or every surgery location.
Incision Care and Monitoring
Check the incision twice daily. You’re looking for signs that healing is progressing normally versus signs of infection or complications.
Normal Healing Slight redness around the incision for the first 2-3 days is expected. Minor swelling is also normal, especially for surgeries involving significant tissue work. The incision should be dry with edges that meet cleanly.
Some procedures use dissolving sutures hidden under the skin. Others have visible stitches or staples that need removal in 10-14 days. Your discharge instructions will specify.
Warning Signs Call your vet immediately if you see excessive swelling (the area is hot and puffy), discharge (especially if yellow, green, or bloody), separation of incision edges, exposed tissue, or a foul smell.
Your pet shouldn’t be able to reach the incision. If they are, the e-collar isn’t fitted properly or they’ve figured out how to bypass it.
Activity Restriction: The Hardest Part
This is where most people struggle. Your pet starts feeling better within a few days, but the internal healing is far from complete. Pushing too hard too fast causes serious complications.
Typical Restrictions Most pet surgeries require 10-14 days of strict rest. No running, jumping, playing, or stairs. Leash walks only for bathroom breaks, and those should be short and slow.
Major orthopedic procedures require 6-12 weeks of restricted activity. That’s a long time to keep an energetic dog quiet.
Why It Matters I’ve seen dogs rupture their incisions by jumping off the couch on day five. I’ve seen cats reinjure surgical repairs by climbing. The veterinary team spent hours fixing the original problem. Protecting that repair is your job.
Use crate rest if your pet can’t relax otherwise. It seems mean, but a few boring weeks beats a failed surgery and starting over.
Follow-Up Appointments Matter
Your pet needs at least one recheck appointment, typically 10-14 days post-surgery. The vet examines the incision, checks healing progress, and removes any non-dissolving sutures.
Don’t skip this even if everything looks perfect. Some complications aren’t visible to untrained eyes. Internal sutures can fail. Infections can be brewing before external signs appear.
Major surgeries might require multiple follow-ups. Orthopedic repairs often need X-rays at 6-8 weeks to confirm bone healing.
When Recovery Doesn’t Go as Planned
Sometimes complications happen despite doing everything right. Recognizing problems early makes a huge difference.
Infection Surgical site infections occur in roughly 3-5% of procedures despite sterile technique. Antibiotics usually resolve them, but severe infections can require drainage or additional surgery.
Seroma Formation Fluid can accumulate under the incision, creating a soft swelling. Small seromas often resolve on their own. Large ones might need draining.
Suture Reactions Some pets react to suture material. The area becomes inflamed and itchy. Changing suture types usually solves this.
Dehiscence This is the medical term for when an incision opens up. It’s a serious complication requiring immediate veterinary care. Contributing factors include infection, excessive activity, or poor healing ability.
Different Surgeries, Different Recoveries
Dog surgeries in Surrey range from routine to complex, and each has specific recovery considerations.
Spay and neuter procedures have relatively straightforward recoveries. Most pets feel pretty normal within a week, though activity restrictions last the full 10-14 days.
Orthopedic surgeries require longer, more intensive recovery. ACL repairs need months of controlled exercise and rehabilitation. Fracture repairs need complete rest until X-rays confirm bone healing.
Dental surgeries often involve multiple extractions. Your pet might need soft food for a few days, but they typically bounce back quickly.
Tumour removal recovery depends on the location and size. Skin mass removals are usually simple. Internal mass removals can be more involved.
Cat surgeries in Surrey follow similar patterns, though cats hide discomfort better. Extra vigilance is needed to catch problems in feline patients.
The Role of Your Veterinary Team
Your surgical team doesn’t disappear after discharge. Campbell Heights Animal Hospital and other Surrey veterinary hospitals offer post-operative support because they know questions and concerns arise during recovery.
Call if you’re worried about something. Better to ask and hear “that’s normal” than to wait while a problem gets worse. Most clinics have phone hours specifically for post-surgical questions.
Emergency situations require immediate attention regardless of time. Severe bleeding, difficulty breathing, collapse, or pale gums mean get to an emergency vet now.
Cost Considerations for Pet Surgery
Veterinary surgery costs include the procedure itself, anesthesia, monitoring, pain medications, and follow-up care. Understanding what you’re paying for helps.
The estimate should itemize costs. Ask about what’s included and what might be additional. Some complications require unexpected treatments, though most surgeries go as planned.
Pet insurance can significantly offset costs if you have coverage before problems arise. Many policies cover surgical procedures after the waiting period.
Recovery Success Stories
I’ve watched countless pets go through surgical procedures and come out the other side. The Labrador who tore his ACL and now runs on the beach again. The cat with bladder stones who no longer strains to urinate. The senior dog whose dental surgery eliminated chronic pain from infected teeth.
The common factor in successful recoveries? Owners who followed instructions, even when it was difficult. They kept the e-collar on despite the guilt. They enforced rest despite the whining. They gave medications on schedule.
Your pet depends on you for their recovery. You’re their advocate, their nurse, and their protector during this vulnerable time.
Preparing for Future Procedures
If your pet has had surgery once, you’re now experienced. You know what to expect. You know what questions to ask. You know how to set up recovery space and manage medications.
That knowledge is valuable, but don’t assume all surgeries are identical. Each procedure has unique considerations. Stay open to new information and instructions specific to that surgery.
Final Thoughts
Going through pet surgeries in Surrey doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Preparation makes a massive difference in your stress level and your pet’s outcome. Understanding what happens before surgery lets you prepare properly. Knowing what to expect after surgery helps you provide the best post-operative care.
Your veterinary team is your partner in this process. They have the medical expertise. You have the intimate knowledge of your pet’s normal behaviour and personality. Together, you give your pet the best chance for a smooth, successful recovery.
Most pets handle surgery better than their owners expect. They’re resilient creatures who focus on feeling better, not on being upset about what happened. Your job is to create the conditions that let healing happen.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will my pet need to fast before surgery?
Most pets need 8-12 hours of fasting before anesthesia, with water allowed until 2-3 hours before. Your veterinary team will give you exact times based on your pet’s surgery schedule. Fasting prevents vomiting and aspiration during the procedure.
What are the signs my pet is in pain after surgery?
Dogs may pant excessively, seem restless, whine, or show aggression when touched near the surgical site. Cats often hide, refuse food, adopt a hunched posture, or avoid interaction. If your pet seems uncomfortable despite pain medication, contact your vet for dosage adjustment.
Can I take the cone off if my pet seems miserable?
The e-collar should stay on 24/7 unless you’re directly supervising and can physically prevent licking. Most surgical complications happen when owners remove the collar “just for a minute.” Your pet will adjust to wearing it within 48 hours.
When should I be concerned about the surgical incision?
Call your vet immediately if you notice excessive swelling, discharge (especially yellow, green, or bloody), separation of the incision edges, exposed tissue, foul odour, or if your pet seems systemically ill. Minor redness and slight swelling in the first few days is normal.
How long before my pet can return to normal activity?
Most routine surgeries require 10-14 days of restricted activity. Major orthopedic procedures need 6-12 weeks. Follow your veterinary team’s specific instructions, as resuming activity too soon can cause surgical repairs to fail and require repeat procedures.
What if my pet won’t eat after surgery?
Many pets have reduced appetite for 12-24 hours post-surgery due to anesthesia effects. Offer small amounts of their regular food. If your pet hasn’t eaten anything in 24 hours or seems lethargic, contact your veterinary clinic as this can indicate complications.