The weeks before:
If your cat is not already trained to get in its carrier on its own, start now.  Take the carrier apart if possible, making a comfy bed (with treats!) out of the bottom portion. Over time, add the top, then add the door.

• AAFP Cat Carrier advice
• Cats and Carriers-Friends not Foes

For nervous dogs, consider a practice appointment, come by, get a friendly hello and a treat!

• For dogs that are fearful riding in the car, first practice getting into and out of the car and getting a treat. Advance to sitting in the car and easting a meal. Then add starting the car and taking short trips as your dog gains confidence.
• For dogs that have been prescribed calming medication, this is the time to “test dose” to discover how much of the medication to give and to note the time of peak effect.
• Get your pet comfortable with an examination by gently handling body parts: mouth, ears, feet…
• For dogs that need to be muzzled for handling, consider training them in advance to wear a box muzzle. Avoid making a scary situation worse for them. Train them to allow their trusted human to put on a muzzle that they have become comfortable with.  For more information about muzzle training go to Muzzle Up Project
•  Gather vaccine and medical history and forward it to us.

The day before:

• Fill out any relevant forms pertaining to your visit. Click for forms
• Make a list of any questions or concerns.
• Check to see if any prescriptions need to be refilled.

The day of:

• Precool or preheat your vehicle.
• Consider applying Feliway calming pheromone to bedding and cat carrier. Use a towel to cover the carrier.
• Try using Adaptil calming spray on your dog’s bandanna.
• Give medication to prevent car sickness if needed.
• Give medication for calming if needed.
• Bring favorite treats and consider feeding half the usual amount of breakfast. Remember, food is an amazing distraction for many pets!
• Bring favorite toys, consider bringing a calm housemate for support.
• Consider exercising dogs, allowing for potty breaks prior to the car ride.
• Collect a fecal sample for testing.
• If a thundershirt is helpful, let them wear it.
• Cats should be in carriers and dogs should be leashed.

We want your pet to be comfortable coming to us!

Using Fear-Free handling techniques, our aim is to make your pet’s visit as positive as possible. We are a certified Cat-Friendly Practice and take special care with our feline patients.

To schedule an appointment, please call us at 540-364-4954
Visit us at http://www.piedmontsmall.vet

Whether it is a spay, neuter, mass removal, bladder surgery, wound repair, or other soft tissue surgery, here’s how to prepare for the best possible outcome for your pet!

• At the time of appointment, discuss any concerns like high anxiety while kenneled, or the need for a certain time to pick up. We want your pet to be as comfortable as possible!
• Confirm if prescribed medications should be given the day of surgery ( medications for calming, diabetes, blood pressure, seizure, etc)

Weeks prior to surgery:

• If needed, purchase, set up, and practice confinement with a large crate, x pen, or baby gates.
• If not already done, make an appointment for preoperative lab work. Preoperative lab work helps us to further assess your pet’s health and to tailor anesthetic protocols for best outcomes.
• Practice leash walking if your dog is not trained on a leash.
• Accustom your cat to its carrier- watch this helpful video Cats and Carriers: Friends not Foes
• Purchase and practice with an Elizabethan collar if advised, ( not all surgeries/pets will need this)

Two days prior to surgery:

• Discontinue nonsteroidal medications such as Carprofen (Rimadyl), Firocoxib, (Previcox), Grapiprant (Galliprant), Meloxicam (Metacam).
• Discontinue Fish oils and Omega 3 fatty acid supplements
• For dogs, bathe if possible.

Day of surgery:

• Present your pet after fasting (no food) overnight. Water is fine.
• If any medications have been given, please let us know the kind and amount.
• Allow time in the morning for discussion with the veterinarian, if needed.
• Allow time to fill out forms.
• At the time of admittance, confirm if there are any other procedures being performed (ie, additional mass removal, recheck lab work, vaccines, etc.). Consider marking areas of concern with a Sharpie marker.
• In the case of mass removal, consider allowing us to send the tissues to the laboratory. This helps us to diagnose, determine further treatments, to learn if clean margins were obtained, and to help prognosis outcomes,
• Request any refill medications, if needed.
• Consider the need for calming medications to help reduce activity and promote healing during recovery.
• The doctors will call you during the day for updates. Plan on discharge and pick up between 4:30 and 5:30, (earlier depending!).

What to expect from us:

Beyond providing surgical and dental expertise, our goal is to recognize your pet’s individual needs, anticipate and alleviate pain, and provide emotional comfort.

We use modern anesthesia techniques which involve a multimodal approach to minimize risk. Patients are monitored with blood pressure, ECG, heart rate, respiratory rate, body temperature, and end-tidal CO2.  They are supported with IV fluids, warming devices, and lots of TLC from our dedicated and experienced veterinary team.

What to expect after surgery or dental treatments:

Your pet has had general anesthesia, they will likely be groggy and not themselves. Allow them to rest in a quiet place. Keep them warm and quiet, away from other pets and small children.  Protect them from hazards such as stairs, ponds, and pools. Leash walk dogs keep cats inside. These guys have had a huge departure from their normal routine! It is expected that they have a small appetite for the first couple of days and may not be fully active. It usually takes up to three days to fully recover from their big day away from home and from general anesthesia.  So long as your pet is getting more normal every day, we are on the road to recovery! We are here to help should you have any questions or concerns!

Please call us at 540-364-4954 to discuss any further concerns or to schedule a dental treatment or surgical procedure.

We want your pet to be comfortable coming to us!

Using Fear-Free handling techniques, our aim is to make your pet’s visit as positive as possible. We are a certified Cat-Friendly Practice and take special care with our feline patients.

One week prior to surgery:

• Purchase a sling or harness. For more information on the Helpemup Harness see here
• Purchase frozen peas for ice packs.
• Purchase, set up, and practice confinement with a large crate, x pen or baby gates.
• Obtain and be familiar with the post-operative and rehabilitation instructions.
• Sign the controlled medication waiver.
• Pick up the controlled medications from the pharmacy.
• Make an appointment for preoperative lab work, if needed.
• Practice leash walking if your dog is not trained to a leash.

Two days prior to surgery:

• Discontinue nonsteroidal medications such as Carprofen (Rimadyl), Firocoxib, (Previcox), Grapiprant (Galliprant), Meloxicam (Metacam).
• Discontinue Omega 3 Fatty Acids (Fish oil)
• Bathe dogs if possible

Day of surgery:

• Present your pet after fasting (no food) overnight. Water is fine.
• Allow time in the morning for discussion with the surgeon if needed.
• At the time of admittance, confirm if there are any other procedures being performed (ie, mass removal, recheck lab work, vaccines, etc.).
• Consider the need for calming medications to help reduce activity during recovery.
• Plan on discharge and pick up between 4:30 and 5:30.

We are excited to offer surgical consultations and in-house outpatient orthopedic and soft tissue surgery provided by Board Certified Surgical Specialist, Matthew Nicholson DVM, DACVS, CCRP,  of Salutaris Veterinary Specialist PLC.   salutarisvet.com