What to expect with gastrointestinal surgeries at CAH

Our veterinarians adhere to the highest standard of care for all surgical procedures. Our doctors place the uppermost priority on pain management to ensure that your pet is safe and comfortable throughout the entire surgical procedure (pre-peri, and post-operation). Care doesn’t stop at pre-operative care, we ensure that pet parents are instructed with all pre-surgical dietary restrictions, and procedural updates, and have the correct paperwork filed to make the surgery day less stressful. All vaccination requirements and pre-surgery administrative needs are handled seamlessly by hospital staff. 

After surgery, our technicians monitor the patient until fully awake. Once the pet is conscious, we let pet parents know the pet is ready for discharge or if the pet requires additional hospitalized monitoring. In most cases, pets can be discharged the same day as surgery, except for when it comes to major soft-tissue surgeries, which may require additional medical care. All these details are addressed between the pet parent and the veterinarian or technician.

Prioritizing post-operative care for best outcomes

Depending on the procedure performed and each pet’s specific needs, post-surgical care instructions may vary. However, there are some common things you will see as part of our emergency surgery recovery care routine, which include medication, an Elizabethan collar, and possible bandages.

We ensure that pet-safe medications for pain management and inflammation are shared with you as well as detailed instructions and tips from our veterinarians and technicians on how to administer them. We also give Elizabethan collars, along with bandages when necessary. The collar helps prevent your pet from scratching or rubbing around the mouth area and prevents them from risking removing surgical sutures. Aside from this care, the most important ingredient towards your pet’s swift recovery will be rest.