A whole lot of U.S. families have pets! According to a survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association, there were roughly 85 million pet owners in 2020 alone. As you may know, there might be times when a beloved family companion needs surgery. What should you do if your pet needs to have something done? Here are some important steps to take before and after bringing them to the animal hospital.

Tell the Vet What Kind of Medications Your Pet Takes

Just like you wouldn't want to have any medical interactions if you were having surgery, you want the same for your pet. Tell the vet what medications, if any, that your animal companion is on. That'll help them best prepare for the surgery and avoid any possible complications. The vet can administer the medication there if need be.

Avoid Trying to Prep Your Pet

You might be tempted to make things easier for the animal hospital and shave the surgery area yourself, but we recommend against that. It's better to let the professionals handle it, as they'll have a specific area they need to treat and you don't want to cause any confusion by shaving an area too large. They'll also likely do it while your pet is sedated. This keeps them from being stressed out when the shaving is being performed.

Follow Any and All Directions

Just like people, pets usually should not eat or drink anything for a certain number of hours before the surgery. If they do, they could aspirate. Avoiding food or water can greatly limit the chances of that happening during the surgery. Your pet may not be happy about this, but it's for their own good.

Most of all, you need to look out for yourself as well. When it turns out your furry friend needs surgery, that can put stress on you as well. Remain positive as that attitude can rub off on your pet and put them in good spirits. Keep yourself occupied during the procedure to help the time pass by quickly. Once the surgery is finished, you'll need to follow all post-op directions to help with recovery.

Are you looking for an animal hospital in your area? We can help! Contact our team at West Toledo Animal Hospital today so that we can assist your pet in getting the proper care.