1. Please ensure that your dog has been starved from MIDNIGHT the evening before the operation. If your dog hasn’t been starved and has a full stomach, they may be sick under the anaesthetic, and this can be very dangerous.

2. If your dog lives in a multi-animal household PLEASE ensure that ALL food is out of reach. If you suspect that your dog may have accidentally eaten, please mention it when you attend the practice.

3. It is important that your dog CONTINUES TO HAVE ACCESS TO WATER until they are brought into the surgery.

4. Please take your dog out for a short walk to go to the toilet before attending the practice.

5. An appointment will be made for you to bring your dog to the surgery for their operation. This will be with a vet or veterinary nurse.

6. Occasionally some dogs are very reluctant to leave their owners. The best way to overcome this is to hand their lead to the vet or nurse and then turn and walk away. They are often much happier to come with us when their owners are not in sight.

7. It may help your dog to settle if you bring their favourite blanket or toy with them, or an item of clothing with your smell on it.

8. On the morning of the operation, your dog will have an examination by the vet during which they will record your dog’s heart rate, breathing rate, and temperature. This is so we can ensure your dog is in a healthy condition before the anaesthetic. Sometimes a preoperative blood sample will be advised.

9. After the operation, whilst still at the vets, your dog will be offered a prescription diet food that is specially formulated for recovery. PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOUR DOG HAS ANY SPECIFIC DIETARY REQUIREMENTS. During the evening following the operation, we recommend that you continue feeding a bland diet. We can provide more of the prescription food for you to take home for your dog’s recovery, please let us know if you require this.

10. Please inform a member of staff if your dog is insured and you wish to claim for their procedure.

11. Once the operation is completed you will be contacted by one of our nurses to arrange a discharge appointment. Please wait to call until after 2:00pm if you haven’t heard from us.

12. We strongly recommend that you ask your vet for an approximate cost of the treatment before it takes place. Please note, this is an ESTIMATE ONLY and the cost may change once the procedure has been completed.

Finally, we understand that preparing your pet for an operation can be a worrying process. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or would just like to have a talk with our staff regarding your pet’s procedure.

1. Please ensure that your cat has been starved from MIDNIGHT the evening before the operation. If your cat hasn’t been starved and has a full stomach, they may be sick under the anaesthetic, and this can be very dangerous.

2. Your cat must also stay indoors overnight so they do not hunt or find food from a friendly neighbour!

3. If your cat lives in a multi-animal household PLEASE ensure that ALL food is out of reach. If you suspect that your cat may have accidentally eaten, please mention it when you attend reception.

4. It is important your cat continues to have ACCESS TO WATER until they are brought into the surgery.

5. On the morning of the operation your cat will have a clinical examination by the vet. The clinical team will also take your cat’s heart rate, breathing rate, and temperature. This is so we can ensure that your cat is in a healthy condition before the anaesthetic. Sometimes a preoperative blood sample will be advised.

6. It may help your cat to settle if you bring a favourite blanket with them, or an item of clothing with your smell on it.

7. After the operation, whilst still at the vets, your cat will be offered a prescription diet food that is specially formulated for recovery. During the evening after the operation, we recommend that you continue feeding a bland diet. We can provide more of the prescription food for you to take home for your cat’s recovery if you wish, please let us know if you require this.

8. Please inform a member of staff if your cat is insured and you wish to claim for the procedure.

9. You will be contacted by one of our nurses after your pet’s procedure is complete to book a discharge appointment. Please wait to call after 2:00pm if you haven’t heard from us.

10. We strongly recommend that you ask your vet for an approximate cost of the treatment before it takes place. Please note, this is an ESTIMATE ONLY and the cost may change once the procedure has been completed.

Finally, we understand that preparing your cat for an operation can be a worrying process. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or would just like to have a talk with our staff regarding your cat’s operation.

• Rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters etc. should be FED AS NORMAL prior to their procedures. Please bring a small amount of their normal diet with them for after their operation.
• Ferrets need to have food WITHELD from midnight prior to the day of an anaesthetic or sedation. Water can be available up until the time you bring your pet to the practice.

• On arrival at the surgery, you will be greeted by a vet who will discuss your pet’s condition and make sure you understand the procedure about to take place. You will be required to sign a consent form.
• To clearly and accurately monitor your pet, we will ask you for your pet’s normal time of feeding, toileting, and sleeping habits. Each in-patient has a detailed hospitalisation sheet attached to the door of their kennel so vets and nurses have easy access to their details.
• At this time, we will also make sure your pet is fit for surgery and doesn’t have any conditions such as diarrhoea. Your pet will then be admitted and taken to one of our comfortable patient wards.

• As soon as your pet has come around from their operation a nurse or vet will call you to advise you of your pet’s condition. Arrangements for your pet’s collection will also be confirmed.
• Your pet will be made comfortable and monitored closely throughout their stay at Larkmead Vets. Before going home, if able, they will be fed, watered, toileted, and exercised.
• You will be given advice on how to care for your pet over the next few days to help them in their recovery.

If you have any queries at any stage of your pet’s recovery, please get in touch.