Surgeries you
can count on

FAQs

• Do I need an appointment prior to the surgery?
  

  Yes, you’ll need to book a pre-op appointment at our clinic. After you submit an inquiry, our surgery concierge will reach out to you to answer your questions and schedule your pet’s pre-op appointment. During the appointment, our veterinarian will discuss preparing for the surgery, the procedure plan, cost, risks, and recovery. 

• What are the benefits of spaying/neutering my pet?

  There are many reasons. Here are a few.

  • Neutering or spaying your puppy or kitten limits the likelihood your pet develops cancer, such as mammary cancer, prostate cancer, or testicular cancer.

  • Spaying and neutering limits pet overpopulation.

  • For some dog breeds, like french bulldogs and chihuahuas, pregnancy is dangerous.

  • Spaying prevents life-threatening uterine infections called pyometras.

  • Neutering drastically decreases humping and urine marking behavior.

• Do you accept insurance for surgeries?

  Yes! We accept all pet insurances for surgical procedures.

• Do you perform emergency surgeries?
  

  Yes, our team performs emergency surgical procedures at all of our clinics.

• What age should I spay or neuter my dog?
  

  We recommend spaying or neutering your dog between 6-8 months of age. Though some pet parents with large breed dogs may choose to keep them intact until they are 2 years old.

• What age should I spay or neuter my cat?
  

  We recommend spaying or neutering your cat around 4 months old.

• How much does the surgery cost?
  

  Each pet requires unique care, and each surgery differs in price. Our team will provide an estimate after they’ve examined your pet.

• How can I prepare for my pet’s surgery?
  

  It is important to not feed your pet the morning of their surgery. Your dog or cat must have an empty stomach to be sedated.

• Will my pet be sedated?

  Yes, your pet will go under anesthesia for their surgery, however, some minor biopsies and mass removals may be performed with sedation and local anesthetics.

• How does sedation work?
  

  We inject your pet’s muscle or vein with sedatives to help them relax during a procedure. Sedation may be required for short, minimally painful treatments or for fearful or aggressive patients

• What does post-surgery look like?
  

  Immediately after your pet wakes up, we’ll give you a call. When you pick up your pet, our veterinarian will provide you with personalized home care instructions. This will include guidance on food, medications, activities, and recheck instructions. If you have questions, you should always feel comfortable giving us a call or sending us an email or text. Most animals are very groggy after their surgery (which is normal), and will recover from the anesthesia 24-48 hours after their visit. Some pets may experience soft stool, or changes in their appetite for a few days which, similar to humans undergoing surgery, is very normal!  

• Can my pet go back to normal activities post-surgery?
  

  It depends on the type of surgery your pet received, but we’ll give you specific recommendations post-op. Generally speaking, you’ll likely need to restrict your pet’s activity for the 10-14 days following a procedure. For dogs, this means short, controlled leash walks lasting about 5-10 minutes so they can do their business. For cats, we recommend they do not jump or play. If you’re having a hard time keeping your pet controlled, we can prescribe some sedatives to help them sleep off the first few days. 

• Will my pet need to come back to be re-checked?
  

  Depending on the type of surgical procedure and healing process, your pet may or may not need to come back for a re-check. If you’re worried about the incision or surgical site, bring your pet in for a complimentary recheck or send us a picture to make sure things are healing appropriately.

• How does sedation work?

  Injectable drugs are given to help pets feel sleepy. They aren’t completely under anesthesia; they can still lift their heads and move their legs, but they aren’t able to sense pain. This may be required for short procedures and can also be recommended to help fearful pets feel more comfortable during things like x-rays.

• How does anesthesia work?

  Our patients are given injectable medications, and are maintained on an inhalant anesthetic that delivers the medication as gas to their lungs. This is similar to laughing gas at a human dentist’s office but is much more potent. We use this for invasive procedures, such as procedure involving the abdomen.