AFTER SURGERY

Obviously each animal will have its own requirements during and after surgery, depending on the surgery itself. Immediate post-operative care is in the form of close nursing until your pet is fully around from the anaesthetic. Warmth and comfort is extremely important in aiding a speedy recovery from anaesthetic. Should your pet require fluids we have the facility to give intra-venous fluids via a drip which we would do without hesitation should he or she show signs of dehydration or a prolonged recovery period.

The majority of patients are classed as "day-patients" and will be discharged the afternoon of the day they were admitted. Exceptions to this rule would be animals requiring major non-routine surgery, animals with surgical wounds along the midline (i.e. up the centre of the belly) or animals requiring intravenous fluids or intensive pain relief.

We always request that you should phone the practice prior to collecting your pet to ensure that he or she is ready to go and has recovered fully from the anaesthetic. This way we can arrange a suitable time for collection and minimize your wait ensuring not everyone is arriving at once. A nurse will discharge the patient and go over the less-intensive post-operative care which you should follow at home; this will include advice on feeding and exercise over the days immediately after surgery.

Hopefully, at the end of the day, you'll be as happy to get your pets home as Mr Barnard is: