Learning your pet needs surgery is stressful — and completely normal to feel anxious about. The good news: there are clear, concrete steps you can take to help ensure the safest, smoothest experience possible.

 

1. Schedule Pre-Surgical Bloodwork

Blood work confirms your pet is a good candidate for anesthesia by assessing organ function, red/white blood cell counts, and overall health. For pets over 7 years old, this is especially critical. We schedule blood work a few days before surgery — results may change our anesthetic protocol.

 

2. Keep Your Pet Calm the Night Before

Help your pet wind down with a relaxed walk and gentle cuddling. Avoid exciting play or anxiety-inducing situations. And critically: no food after midnight — an empty stomach prevents dangerous regurgitation and aspiration during anesthesia.

 

3. Follow All Fasting Instructions Exactly

No food after midnight is a firm rule. If your pet accidentally eats during the fasting window, call us immediately — we may need to reschedule for your pet’s safety.

 

4. Arrive on Time (or a Few Minutes Early)

This allows our team to settle your pet, conduct a pre-anesthesia physical exam, collect vital signs, and start IV fluids if needed. Knowing your pet’s baseline behavior helps us detect pain or distress more accurately during recovery.

 

5. Manage Medications as Instructed

In most cases, continue regular medications on the morning of surgery — but there are important exceptions. Our team will tell you exactly which to give and which to hold.

 

Dogwood is the only Atlanta-area hospital with both board-certified surgeons AND a board-certified veterinary anesthesiologist under one roof. Your pet will never be unsupervised during their procedure.

 

Questions about your pet’s procedure? Call (404) 609-1234 or email surgery@www.dogwood.vet.