Pre-operation information
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We Are Available 24/7We 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
Rabbits and small pets
- Continue feeding hay and fresh water as normal right up until you leave for the practice
- Bring a supply of your pet’s usual hay and any fresh greens with you on the day
- A bonded companion can come along too – just let us know in advance
On the day
Before you leave home
- 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
- Please arrange suitable transport for the journey home – it isn’t recommended that dogs walk home following an anaesthetic
What to bring
- Your pet, in a secure carrier or on a lead
- Any regular medication your pet takes – with a list of the medication they take
- Rabbits and small pets: their usual hay, greens and water bottle
- A list of any questions you’d like to ask at admission
- If your pet is on a special diet due to health conditions or allergies, could you bring a small amount of us to feed post operation.
When you arrive
Please arrive at your branch for 8:30am. One of our team will admit your pet and go through a few questions with you – please allow a little extra time at drop-off, as this is a good moment to raise anything you're unsure about. The registered owner should be there to sign the consent form.
- 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 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.
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.
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.com1 Maxwell St
Baillieston
Glasgow
G69 6ED
0141 378 6293
