Preparing Your Pet for Surgery

What To Do Before Your Dog or Cat's Procedure

At Fortitude Valley Vet, we understand that having your pet undergo surgery or sedation/anaesthesia can feel a little daunting.

Whether your pet is coming in for desexing, dental treatment, lump removal or another procedure, our team is committed to making their experience as safe and comfortable as possible.

This guide explains how to prepare your pet for surgery, what to expect on the day and answers some of the most common questions pet owners ask before an anaesthetic.

If you have any concerns before your appointment, please contact our team on 07 3216 0045.

How Do I Prepare My Pet For Surgery?

Food Must Be Withheld From 9:00 PM The Night Before

For your pet's safety, they should have an empty stomach before receiving sedation or general anaesthetic.

Please remove all food from 9:00 PM the evening before their procedure.

This includes:

Meals
Treats
Table scraps
Dental chews
Food belonging to other pets in the household

Fasting helps reduce the risk of vomiting or regurgitation while your pet is under sedation or anaesthesia.

Can My Pet Drink Water Before Surgery?

Yes.

Fresh drinking water should remain available overnight and can be offered on the morning of surgery unless our veterinary team advises otherwise.

Water helps keep your pet hydrated and does not need to be withheld before most routine procedures.

What If My Pet Accidentally Eats Something?

Please call us as soon as possible.

Depending on what was eaten and when, we may need to adjust the timing of the procedure to keep your pet safe.

What About Regular Medications?

If your pet takes prescription medication, please speak with our team before the day of surgery.

Some medications should be given as normal, while others may need to be adjusted before an anaesthetic.

Please also let us know if you require:

Prescription refills
Flea or tick prevention
Worming products
Vaccinations
Repeat medications

We can often organise these while your pet is in hospital.

What If My Pet Is Unwell Before Surgery?

Please contact us if your pet develops any signs of illness in the days leading up to their procedure.

This includes:

Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Coughing
Sneezing
Difficulty breathing
Reduced appetite
Lethargy

ven mild illness can affect anaesthetic safety and may change our recommendations.

How Should I Bring My Pet To The Clinic?

Dogs

Dogs should arrive on a secure lead.

Cats

Cats should travel in a secure carrier.

A familiar blanket or towel can help make the journey less stressful.

What Happens On The Day Of Surgery?

Before You Arrive

Please allow your pet an opportunity to go to the toilet before coming to the clinic.

This helps keep them comfortable during their stay and recovery period.

Admission Appointment

Most surgical admissions occur between 8:15 am and 9:00 am.

During your admission consultation, a veterinary nurse or veterinarian will:

Review your pet's health history
Confirm the planned procedure
Discuss any treatment options
Answer your questions
Obtain consent for the procedure

Please allow approximately 15 minutes for the admission process.

What Happens While My Pet Is In Hospital?

Your pet will receive a pre-operative examination before their procedure.

Depending on the surgery and treatment plan, they may also receive:

Pre-anaesthetic blood testing
Intravenous fluid therapy
Pain relief medication
Continuous anaesthetic monitoring

Our team carefully monitors every patient throughout their anaesthetic and recovery period.

When Can My Pet Go Home?

Many routine procedures, including desexing and dental treatments, are performed as day procedures.

More complex surgeries may require an overnight stay.

We recommend calling the clinic after 4:00 pm for an update on your pet's recovery and anticipated discharge time.

What Happens At Discharge?

When your pet is ready to go home, we will discuss:

Medications
Feeding recommendations
Exercise restrictions
Wound care
Follow-up appointments
Signs that require veterinary attention

Please allow approximately 15 minutes for your discharge consultation so we can ensure you feel confident caring for your pet at home.

Should My Pet Have Blood Tests Before Surgery?

Pre-Anaesthetic Blood Testing at Fortitude Valley Vet

One of the most common questions we hear before surgery is:

"My pet seems perfectly healthy. Do they really need blood tests before anaesthesia?"

The short answer is that blood testing helps us identify health problems we cannot see during a physical examination alone.

At Fortitude Valley Vet, we use pre-anaesthetic blood testing to better understand your pet's health before they undergo a general anaesthetic or sedation. The results help us make informed decisions about anaesthetic medications, monitoring and recovery care.

Why Do Vets Recommend Blood Tests Before Sedation or Anaesthesia?

Your pet's liver, kidneys, red blood cells and other vital systems all play an important role during sedation or anaesthesia.

Many pets with early organ disease show no obvious signs at home. They may still be eating normally, acting normally and appear completely healthy.

Pre-anaesthetic blood testing allows us to look beneath the surface and identify issues that could affect the safety of an anaesthetic procedure.

The information gained can help us:

Detect hidden health concerns
Assess liver and kidney function
Identify anaemia
Screen for infection or inflammation
Tailor anaesthetic medications to your pet
Establish a valuable health baseline for future veterinary care

What Can Blood Tests Tell Us?

Kidney Health

The kidneys help remove waste products and process many medications used during sedation or anaesthesia.

If kidney function is reduced, we may need to adjust medications or provide additional support during the procedure.

Liver Health

The liver is responsible for metabolising many anaesthetic drugs.

Blood testing allows us to assess liver function before surgery and identify potential concerns that may require further investigation.

Red Blood Cell Levels

Red blood cells transport oxygen around the body.

If a patient is anaemic, it can affect how oxygen is delivered to tissues during surgery and recovery.

Is Blood Testing Important For Young Pets?

Yes.

Although most puppies and kittens are healthy, congenital conditions can occasionally be present without obvious clinical signs.

Blood testing can identify uncommon abnormalities before surgery and provides useful baseline information that can be compared against future tests throughout your pet's life.

Is Blood Testing More Important For Senior Pets?

Absolutely.

As pets age, they are more likely to develop conditions affecting the kidneys, liver, heart and endocrine system.

For pets over seven years of age, pre-anaesthetic blood testing is strongly recommended if recent blood work has not been performed.

Many age-related diseases are discovered during routine pre-surgical screening, often before a pet begins showing obvious symptoms.

What Happens During The Blood Test?

The process is quick and minimally invasive.

A veterinary nurse or veterinarian collects a small blood sample, usually from a vein in the leg or neck.

A small patch of fur may be clipped to allow safe collection of the sample.

Most results are available quickly, allowing us to review them before your pet's procedure.

If we identify anything unexpected, we will contact you to discuss the findings and any recommendations before proceeding.

Does Blood Testing Remove All Anaesthetic Risk?

No.

Every anaesthetic procedure carries some level of risk.

However, pre-anaesthetic blood testing provides valuable information that allows us to identify, reduce and better manage many of those risks.

It is one of the most effective ways we can improve anaesthetic safety for both young and senior pets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every pet need blood tests before surgery?

Blood testing is not compulsory, but it is strongly recommended for many procedures and particularly important for senior pets.

Will the blood test delay my pet's surgery?

In most cases, no. Testing is performed before the procedure and results are reviewed promptly.

How much blood is required?

Only a very small sample is needed for routine pre-anaesthetic screening.

Can blood tests detect hidden illness?

Yes. Blood testing often identifies problems that are not visible during a physical examination and may not yet be causing symptoms.

Can I discuss the results with my veterinarian?

Absolutely. Our team will happily explain the findings and answer any questions you may have.

Why Does My Pet Need To Fast Before Surgery?

Food in the stomach increases the risk of regurgitation and aspiration during sedation or anaesthesia. Fasting helps make the procedure safer.

Can My Pet Have Water Before Surgery?

Yes. Fresh water can usually be offered right up until admission.

What Happens If My Pet Eats Overnight?

Contact the clinic as soon as possible so we can advise whether any changes are required.

How Long Will My Pet Be At The Clinic?

Most patients spend the day with us and return home later that afternoon or evening.

Will My Pet Be Given Pain Relief?

Yes. Pain management forms an important part of every surgical procedure and recovery plan.

Who Should I Contact If I Have Questions?

Please call Fortitude Valley Vet on 07 3216 0045. Our veterinarians and nurses are always happy to help.

Fortitude Valley Vet is an independently owned Brisbane veterinary clinic providing affordable, high-quality veterinary care to pets from Fortitude Valley, Newstead, Teneriffe, New Farm, Paddington, Kelvin Grove, Hamilton, Bowen Hills, Spring Hill and nearby suburbs. Whether you are searching for a vet near Fortitude Valley, a cat vet in Paddington, or a dog vet near Newstead, our experienced team is here to help.

Written by:

Dr Nic Cher, BVMS - Australia's Truisted Veterinarian

Pet Longevity, Preventative Health & Owner Preparedness Advocate

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