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If your dog or cat is coming into the veterinary clinic for X-rays, an ultrasound scan, surgery, blood tests or another investigation, it is completely normal to have questions about what will happen during the day.

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Different procedures require different levels of preparation, sedation or anaesthesia. Your pet may also need a small area of fur clipped for an IV cannula, blood sample or diagnostic imaging.

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Does my dog or cat need sedation for X-rays?

In most cases, dogs and cats need sedation for X-rays.

To produce clear and useful X-ray images, your pet needs to remain completely still and may need to be positioned in several different ways. Veterinary staff must also leave the room while each X-ray exposure is taken.

Sedation allows us to position your pet safely and comfortably while obtaining the images needed.

A small patch of fur is usually clipped on one or more legs so that an IV cannula can be placed for sedation, fluids or medication.

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What happens to the X-rays afterwards?

Once the X-rays have been taken, they may be sent to a veterinary imaging specialist for an expert opinion.

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When we receive the report, we can discuss the findings with you and recommend the most appropriate next step. This might be treatment, monitoring or further investigations.

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Does my pet need sedation for an ultrasound scan?

Many ultrasound scans in dogs and cats can be performed without sedation, although some pets benefit from very light sedation to help them relax.

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Your pet needs to lie calmly while the ultrasound probe is moved over the area being examined. If they are anxious or tense their muscles, it can be more difficult to obtain good-quality images.

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We normally need to clip the fur over the area being scanned, usually the abdomen or chest, so that the ultrasound probe can make good contact with the skin.

A small area of fur may also be clipped on one or more legs if an IV cannula is required.

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What happens when my pet comes in for surgery?

For routine surgical procedures such as neutering, castration or keyhole spaying, your pet will usually be admitted to the clinic in the morning.

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Before surgery, appropriate pre-anaesthetic checks are carried out to make sure they are ready for their procedure.

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Your pet will have their procedure during the day and will be looked after by our nursing team.

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After their anaesthetic, they will wake up in our recovery area where they can be closely monitored. Some pets wake up quickly, while others prefer to have a good sleep afterwards.

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Once your pet is awake, comfortable and has had some food where appropriate, we can start planning for them to go home.

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The exact collection time depends on when their procedure takes place and how quickly they recover from their anaesthetic.

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Will my pet need to stay overnight after surgery?

 

Most routine procedures are completed as day cases.

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After major surgery, including some abdominal procedures, overnight veterinary care may be recommended. If your pet requires this level of monitoring, they can be cared for at our out-of-hours veterinary care provider.

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We will discuss this with you if we think overnight care is appropriate.

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What happens if my pet is coming in for blood tests or a short investigation?

 

Dogs and cats coming in for blood tests, skin investigations or other short veterinary procedures may stay with us for a couple of hours or part of the day.

Drop-off and collection times depend on the investigation being performed.

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Some blood tests require your pet to have no food for around 12 hours beforehand. If fasting is required, we will advise you before the appointment.

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Sedation may also be helpful for certain investigations or minor procedures.

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For a blood sample, we may need to clip a small patch of fur on your pet's neck or leg. Fur may also need to be clipped elsewhere depending on the procedure being carried out.

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What if my pet is unwell on the morning of their procedure?

Please tell us if your dog or cat seems unwell on the day they are due to come into the clinic.

This includes symptoms such as:

• Vomiting or diarrhoea

• Coughing

• Being unusually quiet or lethargic

• Going off their food

• Any other new illness or change that concerns you

Knowing about these changes helps us decide whether it is safe for your pet to have their planned procedure or whether it would be better to postpone it.

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Questions about your pet's procedure?

 

Every patient and every procedure is different. We will explain any specific preparation your pet needs and what you can expect before they come into the clinic.

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If you are unsure about fasting, medication, sedation, anaesthesia, drop-off times or collecting your pet, please contact our veterinary team before the appointment.

We're here to look after your pet every step of the way and to make their visit as safe and comfortable as possible.

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