Pre-operation information - ScotVet

We know that leaving your pet for a procedure can feel daunting. This page explains exactly what to expect, so you can feel confident and prepared on the day.

If you have any questions before the day – about the procedure itself, your pet’s medication, or anything else – please call us. We’d rather you ask than worry.

The night before

Fasting – food and water

Dogs and cats

Your pet must not eat after midnight the night before their procedure. This is important for their safety – eating before an anaesthetic significantly increases the risk of complications.

Remove all food after midnight the night before
Water can be left available until 7am on the morning of the procedure, then removed
Do not give any treats, chews or scraps on the morning of the procedure
If your pet manages to eat something accidentally, please call us straight away – we may need to reschedule

Diabetic pets need special management around fasting and anaesthetic. If your pet is diabetic, please call us when you book so we can give you tailored advice on feeding and insulin on the day.

Rabbits and small pets

Unlike dogs and cats, rabbits and small pets should not be starved before surgery. Their digestive systems need to keep moving continuously.

On the day

Before you leave home

Make sure your pet has not eaten (dogs and cats) – see above
Check your pet is clean and dry, particularly if they are having surgery
Encourage dogs to go to the toilet before you leave
Give any regular medication as normal unless you have been told otherwise – if you’re unsure, call us the day before
Dogs should wear a secure collar and lead; cats should be brought in a secure carrier
Please arrange suitable transport for the journey home – it isn’t recommended that dogs walk home following an anaesthetic

When to arrive

Please arrive at your branch for 8:30am on the morning of your pet’s procedure. The registered owner should attend to sign the consent form.

Please make sure we have a contact number where you can be reached throughout the day – we will call you once your pet is in recovery. If we cannot reach you, we will try any alternative numbers we hold.

When you arrive

Please allow a little extra time at drop-off – one of our nurses will admit your pet and go through a few questions with you. This is a good moment to raise anything you’re unsure about.

You will be asked to sign a consent form before we proceed
Please let us know of any changes to your pet’s health since their last appointment
Tell us the time of any medication given that morning
Let us know if your pet has any allergies, sensitivities or unusual dietary requirements

Please note: on occasion we may need to rebook your pet’s procedure at short notice due to unforeseen circumstances. We will always contact you as soon as possible if this happens.

During the procedure

Anaesthetic and monitoring

Your pet’s safety is our priority throughout. All anaesthetics are administered and monitored by trained veterinary nurses using specialist equipment.

We monitor heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels, carbon dioxide and temperature throughout
A dedicated nurse remains with your pet for the entirety of their anaesthetic
Pain relief is given before, during and after the procedure as standard
Your pet will recover in a warm, quiet area under close observation before going home

Pre-anaesthetic blood tests

To ensure your pet can properly process and eliminate anaesthetic agents from their body, we recommend a blood test prior to any anaesthetic or sedation procedure. This is a simple and quick test – we take a small sample of blood from a vein in their neck or leg.

The test checks that your pet’s organs – mainly kidneys and liver – are functioning properly, and can also reveal underlying health conditions you may not be aware of that could put your pet at risk. Pets of any age can have an underlying condition, though older pets are more likely to be affected.

If the results are normal, we proceed with the procedure as planned. If the results are abnormal, we may need to alter the type of anaesthetic used or carry out further tests before deciding on the best course of action.

We cannot guarantee that this test will reveal every kind of illness, but it does allow us to catch many of them early if present.

For your information

The pre-anaesthetic blood test costs £72 and is in addition to your procedure estimate.
The vet or nurse will discuss this with you at the admit appointment.

Staying in touch

A member of our team will call you once your pet is in recovery to let you know how things have gone and confirm a collection time. Please make sure your phone is switched on and accessible throughout the day.

What to bring

Your pet, in a secure carrier or on a lead
Any regular medication your pet takes – in the original packaging if possible
Rabbits and small pets: their usual hay, greens and water bottle
Any bedding or a favourite toy if it helps your pet feel settled – we’re happy to keep this with them
A list of any questions you’d like to ask at admission

When to call us before the day

Please contact us ahead of the procedure if any of the following apply:

Your pet has eaten on the morning of the procedure and should have been fasted
Your pet seems unwell, is vomiting, has diarrhoea or appears lethargic
Your pet has had a significant change in health since their pre-op consultation
You are unsure whether to give regular medication on the morning
Your pet is in season – please let us know as soon as possible, as this may affect timing
You have any concerns at all – there is no such thing as a question too small

If you have any questions ahead of your pet’s procedure, please don’t hesitate to Call Us.

We’re always happy to help.

The ScotVet team

Contact Us

info@scotvet.com

Baillieston Veterinary Clinic
1 Maxwell St
Baillieston
Glasgow
G69 6ED
0141 378 6293

Pre Operation Information