Give your pet its regular meal and medication the night before their dental procedure, but withhold all food after 9 p.m. On the day of the procedure, bring your pet to the hospital at your scheduled time to meet with a certified veterinary technician or veterinarian. They will address any last-minute questions or concerns and assist you with signing consent forms. Don’t forget to bring any personal items from home to be placed with your pet. A discharge appointment to review home care instructions will also be scheduled at this time.
After admission, your pet will be examined by a veterinarian, and their medical records will be reviewed. An anesthetic protocol will be created to ensure a safe and smooth surgery and recovery, and your pet will be given a sedative to alleviate stress. A breathing tube will be placed into the trachea, and general anesthesia will be administered while your pet is prepped for surgery.
Depending on the type of surgery, your pet may be prepped with a short shave or surgical scrub and connected to anesthetic monitors. Oxygen levels, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature will be monitored throughout the surgery. A blanket warmer will be placed with your pet to keep them comfortable. A technician will monitor your pet throughout the entire procedure, post-surgery, and for the remainder of the day.
Keep your pet in a quiet, comfortable, dry, and stress-free location when they return home. Dogs with an incision should be leash-walked for 5–7 days post-surgery. At the discharge appointment, you will receive specific instructions based on your pet’s surgical procedure.
