Pet Surgery

Surgery FAQs

When should I stop feeding my pet? Can they have water?
Do not allow your pet to consume any food after 9:00 p.m. the night before surgery. They may continue to drink water as usual. Rabbits are the only exception as they are allowed to eat up to the time of surgery and owners must bring their own food and water dispenser for the duration of their stay.

Can I give my pet their medication before surgery?
In most cases, it is safe to give daily medication as normally directed on the day of surgery. If your pet is diabetic or has Addison’s disease, call our office to discuss dosages prior to surgery! If you are unsure of whether or not to give your pet a specific medication, please do not hesitate to give us a call.

Do I need to bring anything when I drop my pet off?
Cats and pocket pets must be brought in carriers for the safety of your pet and our veterinarian. If your pet is staying overnight and is on a special diet or is currently taking medication, please bring that with you. Medication must be in the original prescription bottle. We cannot accept any medication in plastic bags or in any other container that is not the original. Remember to bring a current vaccine history if vaccines have previously been done elsewhere so we can update your pet’s medical history.

What time should I drop off my pet?
Check-in is between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. the morning of surgery. The day before surgery (or the Friday before for surgeries on Mondays), you will receive a reminder call. At this time we will schedule your pet’s drop-off in a 15-minute increment (7:30 a.m., 7:45 a.m., 8:00 a.m., 8:15 a.m.) in order to accelerate your check-in process.

What should I expect for the check-in process?
Please come inside the building with your pet. A receptionist will go over the paperwork with you to get your pet checked in for surgery.

How long does it take to check in for surgery?
The check-in process takes about 15 minutes. When checking in a pet, the owner or another authorized adult must approve or decline recommended services (such as lab work), sign the estimate for the surgical procedure, and complete a short questionnaire. The questionnaire will help us better understand the patient and provide them with the best possible care.

What time is my pet’s surgery?
The surgery order is determined by the surgeon on the day of surgery after all patients have arrived. There are no set times for each individual surgery because clients may cancel, emergencies may be added to the schedule, or surgery may become more or less extensive than anticipated.

How do I know when the surgery is done?
The surgeon or a technician will call after the surgery to talk to you about the procedure and state when your pet can be picked up to go home.

How long does the surgical release process take?
Please allow for a 15 to 20-minute wait while a technician gathers your pet’s belongings, medications, and release instructions.

How do I care for my pet after surgery?
At the time of pickup, a technician will bring your pet out to you and review the aftercare instructions. They will answer any questions you may have about the procedure, recovery process, or medications, including how to properly administer pills. If you have further questions after pickup, feel free to call our office at (614) 471-2201 or send us an email at clients@gahannaanimalhospital.org. Please only use our email for nonemergent concerns.