Dog Surgery

What You Need to Know Before Your Dog's Surgery at Green Dog Veterinary Center

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.

Monitoring: A team of veterinarians and specialized technicians at Green Dog Veterinary Center will monitor your dog while they are under anesthesia.

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.

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.