What You Need to Know Before Your Dog's Surgery at Green Dog Veterinary Center
Pre-Surgery Questions
Why is the Surgery Needed? Discuss the reasons for the surgery, what it entails, and the expected recovery time with your veterinarian.
Lab Work: Yes, pre-surgery lab tests are necessary to evaluate your dog's metabolic stability and overall health.
Specialist Consultation: We may refer your dog to a specialist, depending on the surgery. This is often the case for orthopedic or certain emergency surgeries.
Pre-Surgery Lab Work Goals: The tests will examine organ functionality and platelet counts to understand how your dog will metabolize anesthesia and whether they have proper blood clotting.
During Surgery
Monitoring: A team of veterinarians and specialized technicians at Green Dog Veterinary Center will monitor your dog while they are under anesthesia.
Post-Surgery Care
Recovery Time: Varies depending on the surgery—generally, ten days for soft tissue surgeries and up to two weeks for more complex surgeries.
Home Recovery: Follow the discharge instructions closely, including guidelines on medications, diet, and activity levels. An E-collar may be necessary to prevent your dog from disturbing the surgical site.
Additional FAQs
Preparation at Home: Make sure your dog has been fasted the morning of the surgery and is ready for the trip to our center.
When Can My Dog Come Home?: Most dogs are discharged in the late afternoon or early evening on the day of their procedure.
Post-Surgery Care: Your dog usually goes home with written discharge instructions, covering pain medications and antibiotics.
Returning to Normal: Most dogs can start eating the night of the surgery. Activity levels will depend on the type of surgery but generally resume within a week to 10 days.
Pain Medication: Most dogs will go home with post-surgery pain medication, especially for procedures like spays, neuters, and wound repairs.
