Before Surgery
A successful surgery starts before the actual procedure takes place. There will be a period your pet will need to be confined and given a suitable environment to rest and heal postoperatively. Preparing a place in advance makes bringing your pet home after surgery easier.
Confinement preparation
After surgery, your pet should be kept confined to a small space such as a crate or a gated area within a room. There should only be enough space for your pet to stand up, turn around, and lay back down. It is very important to keep your pet off of stairs and furniture, separated from other pets. This reduces their ability to become overly active for the first few weeks after surgery. For large pets, if you choose to keep them in a small room, be sure they have mats and rugs for good footing to prevent slipping. When pets are let out for elimination (urination/defecation), they must be kept on a short leash, always. Retractable leashes are not to be used during recovery.
Assistance walking with sling
After orthopedic procedures, some patients may benefit from sling assisted walks. There are many sling options online that can be ordered ahead of surgery. Some owners find it easier to create a sling at home using a large towel rolled longways.
Fasting pets the night before surgery
Before your pet undergoes any anesthetic procedure, it is necessary to restrict access to food after midnight and water after 6 a.m. the day of surgery. This reduces the risk of aspiration during surgery. Please discuss special exceptions for patients with certain medical conditions with your veterinarian.