Surgical FAQ's

What You Need to Know Before Surgery

Many pet owners have questions about their pet’s upcoming surgery. This guide explains what to expect, how we keep your pet safe, and the decisions you may need to make before the procedure.

Is the anesthetic safe?

Thanks to modern anesthesia and monitoring equipment, surgery is safer than ever. At Prairie State, every pet receives a thorough pre-surgical exam to ensure they are healthy and ready for anesthesia. We tailor the type and amount of anesthetic based on your pet’s individual health.

Pre-anesthetic blood testing is essential to check liver and kidney function, blood counts, and clotting ability. Even seemingly healthy pets can have hidden organ issues, and identifying these before surgery helps prevent complications.

We offer in-house blood testing, and for older or at-risk pets, additional tests like x-rays or ECGs may be recommended. Minor issues can often be managed with IV fluids, while serious concerns may delay surgery until they are corrected.

Important: Pets should fast for 8–10 hours before surgery (water is allowed until the morning). We will always communicate instructions for pre/post surgery.

Will my pet have stitches?

Many surgeries use absorbable sutures under the skin, which dissolve on their own. Some procedures, like tumor removals, require external sutures that are typically removed 10–14 days after surgery.

After surgery, you will need to:

• Monitor the incision for swelling, discharge, or excessive licking
• Limit activity for a period

Will my pet be in pain?

Pets do feel pain, even if they don’t show it the same way humans do. Pain management depends on the procedure:

Dogs: Oral anti-inflammatories or injectable medications are often given post-surgery. Narcotic patches may also be used for larger procedures.

Cats: We use safe, modern pain medications and pre-surgical injections to ensure comfort.

Providing proper pain relief is a critical part of our care.

Surgery Estimates and Pre-Surgery Review

We know that transparency is important. Before your pet’s surgery, we will provide a detailed estimate of all anticipated procedures, medications, and optional services.

When you drop off your pet, we will review the estimate with you, answer any questions, and confirm which services will be performed. This ensures you know exactly what to expect and feel confident that your pet will receive the highest standard of care while staying within your budget.

What other decisions do I need to make?

While your pet is under anesthesia, it’s a convenient time to perform additional minor procedures, such as:

• Dental cleaning or extractions
• Ear cleaning
• Nail trims
• Anal gland expression
• Microchip implantation

Drop-Off and Pick-Up Process

When dropping off your pet, we’ll need 5–10 minutes to review paperwork, estimates, and your pick up schedule.At pick-up, plan to spend about 10 minutes going over home care instructions. We will call the night before surgery to confirm drop-off times and answer any questions. In the meantime, feel free to contact us with any concerns about your pet’s health or upcoming surgery.