Guidelines for owners of pets scheduled for surgery:

Veterinary surgery is safer today than in the past. Every precaution will be taken before, during and after surgery. On your part, however, there are a few simple procedures you can do at home to minimize problems and prevent unnecessary risks. Instruction to follow carefully are listed below.

General Considerations.

1. Good nutrition is very important to reduce surgical stress and assist in prompt recovery. If you have not already done so, discuss your pet's diet with the doctor.

2. Surgical stress decrease your pet's resistance to infectious diseases; therefore all vaccinations must be current at time of surgery. Discuss the vaccination status of your pet with the doctor before surgery.

3. Parasites ( worms) contribute considerable stress to your pet's health. Their presence at the time of surgery may cause serious problems. If your pet has not been checked for intestinal parasites lately, discuss this with your doctor before surgery.

4. If your pet is taking any medication or has any existing health problem, inform the doctor before surgery.

5. Certain routine laboratory procedures may be done before surgery to detect pre-existing health problems that might complicate anaethesia or make the surgery more risky.