- I have never left my pet overnight before. Will she be by herself all night? No! We have an overnight technician that stays with our patients until the morning shift begins. Your pet will never be left alone and will be cared for with IV fluids and pain medication through the night. We want to make sure she stays as comfortable as possible after surgery!
- My regular vet has just diagnosed my pet with a surgical problem. What is the process? You can email us at magnoliavetsurgery@gmail.com or call us to schedule your pet’s appointment. Our receptionists will walk you though each step so that you are well prepared on the day of your scheduled consultation. If there are additional questions about your pet’s condition, we will contact your regular veterinarian.
- Vet surgery is expensive! How can I pay for my pet’s surgery? Yes, specialized veterinary surgery can be expensive. We understand that your pet is part of the family and do our best to offer the most reasonable surgery costs in the region. We realize most surgeries are not planned events! We take a variety of payments including cash and credit card. We also offer Care Credit, which can be accessed through https://www.carecredit.com/ and Scratch Pay https://scratchpay.com/
- Is it normal for me to be so nervous before my pet has surgery? Yes! Your pet is part of you family and we will do our best to ease your fears and the fears of your pet. We want her surgery to be a successful one and we will do everything to make sure it is a good experience for you and your pet.
- Can I bring my pet’s things with him for surgery? Yes! While we have everything that he will need for an overnight stay, you are more than welcome to bring his own bed, his food, a toy, or even a t-shirt that smells like you so he is more comfortable.
- My pet takes medicine every day. Can she have her daily medicine before her appointment? If your pet is on any daily medications that she might need during her stay, please bring those with you to your consultation and let the doctor know exactly what she has had that morning.
- Will my pet have to wear the funny lamp shade on his head after surgery? For most surgeries, your pet will be fitted for an Elizabethan collar (E-collar) so that he is unable to lick near his surgery site. The purpose of the E-collar is to protect the incision from opening up or worse, introducing an infection into the surgery site.
- What are the most common problems after surgery? The most common is licking of the incision. This can be prevented by wearing the E-collar provided to you at the time of discharge. We do not recommend attempting to bandage the incision, as this could cause rubbing at the site, which could lead to infection. Too much activity, too soon can also delay healing and cause unwanted problems.
- How long will my pet have to recover at home before she is back to normal? You will be given a precise amount of time during your discharge from the hospital; however, most surgery recoveries are between 4-6 weeks.
- Can I start rehabilitation right after surgery? We will go over specific instructions on how to begin at-home physical therapy at your discharge appointment. Controlled rehabilitation can be scheduled at the discretion of the rehab doctor or technician. Most of the time, hydrotherapy in the underwater treadmill can begin at 2 weeks after surgery.
- My pet had surgery a few days ago, but she still hasn’t pooped. Is this OK? This is a common side effect from multiple causes. The anesthesia and pain medication during surgery often slows bowel movements, along with eating less after surgery from being a bit groggy. Once your pet begins eating his normal amounts of food, a bowel movement is likely to follow. If You become concerned, don’t hesitate to call us! If your pet has not urinated within 12-24 hours after getting home, this is an emergency and you should contact us immediately.
- My pet had surgery 4 weeks ago and seems fine. Can I let him start walks or play outside? We do not recommend going back to normal activity until your pet has been rechecked to ensure the surgery site is healed. For most orthopedic surgeries, rechecks begin at 6 weeks when a radiograph (Xray) will show if your pet is healed enough to begin leash walks.