Admissions:

Surgery:

Admission times for surgeries and dentals are between 7:30am and 8:45am Monday through Wednesday.

If you are unable to bring your pet for a scheduled surgery or dental,  please let us know.  This allows us to reschedule your pet's appointment and make room for another pet if needed. 

There is a $20.00 cancellation fee for missed surgery and dental appointments. 

Preparing your pet for surgery:                

1. Remember not to give any food or water after midnight the night before surgery.  Your pet's swallowing reflex diminishes during and after anesthesia, so we want to minimize the risk of vomiting.  Vomit that ends up in the lungs can cause complications and fasting your pet greatly reduces the risks.
2. Bring your pet to the hospital for surgery between 7:30 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. We'll confirm your pet's discharge time when you check-in.  We usually discharge outpatient surgeries after 4 p.m. the same day.
3. As a part of our goal to provide you and your pet with the best possible veterinary care, we strongly recommend a pre-anesthesia blood profile before placing your pet under anesthesia.  This profile alerts the doctor to the presence of dehydration, diabetes and/or kidney or liver disease.  Our in-house laboratory is able to provide the doctor quick and accurate results the same day. 
4. We highly recommend any pet not currently on heartworm prevention be tested prior to under going anesthesia.  There is an increased risk for possible life threatening complications during anesthesia if your pet is heartworm positive. 
5. We care about your pet's comfort and strongly believe pain relief is important.  After a surgical procedure pain medication is given to your pet, but if you feel your pet needs additional pain relief after surgery and during their recovery time at home, we will gladly send pain medications home at discharge.
6. In order to protect our staff, all pets being admitted to the hospital for surgery must have a current rabies vaccination or be vaccinated no less than 2 weeks prior to surgery.

Surgical Release Questionnaire: (These are questions you will be asked at the time of drop off)

Has your pet had anything to eat or drink past midnight?  Does your pet have any previous or current health problems?  Is your pet current on vaccinations?  Is your pet in heat or pregnant?  Does your pet have a history of seizures?

Pre-anesthetic Safety Screening: (These are recommended optional items for surgery that you will be asked about at the time of drop off)

 A pre-surgical physical examination will be performed before anesthesia is administered.  Some pets have pre-existing internal problems that may result in surgical complications, yet are not evident on physical examination.  These problems include anemia, lack of clotting, and problems with the liver, kidney heart or other organs.

We recommend the following health and safety screening tests and vaccines prior to surgery to decrease the chance of complications and exposure to disease while hospitalized.  These tests are the same as those performed on people before any surgical procedure.

Pre-anesthetic blood & safety profile  (includes complete blood count and checks liver and kidney function)

Pre-surgical coagulation test  (helps to identify conditions that may result in excessive bleeding, this test is mandatory for Dobermans)

EKG (electrocardiograph screen for heart health)

Heartworm Testing (dogs)  (we highly recommend any pet not currently on heartworm preventative be tested prior to surgery.  There is an increased risk for possible life threatening complications during surgery if your pet is heartworm positive.)

Feline leukemia / feline aids test (cats)  (we highly recommend any cat undergoing anesthesia be tested prior to anesthesia.  There is an increased risk for possible life threatening complications during surgery if your cat is positive)

IV catheter placement  (This will help maintain blood pressure and will ensure immediate IV access in the case of emergency.  It may be necessary to shave a small area on your pet's front leg)

Post operative pain medication is recommended for both cats and dogs.

Bordatella Vaccine (dogs)  (This vaccine helps to protect your pet from an upper respiratory infection commonly known as kennel cough.  It is recommended that this vaccine be given 2 weeks prior to elective surgery)

Rabies Vaccine  - This vaccine is required by state law and must be given 2 weeks prior to elective surgery)

If fleas are seen on your pet, it will be given a Capstar tablet to kill the fleas.

Microchip Identification  (Very few lost pets find their way home without permanent identification.  We can help your pet find their way home by implanting a microchip. The fee includes lifetime registration in 24PetWatch's national databank.

 Drop-Off Appointments:

Admission times for drop-off exams are every weekday between 7:30 a.m. and Noon. 

Refilling Prescriptions:

For your convenience, please allow 24 hours when needing a prescription refilled.  This will help us have the medication(s) ready for you and decrease your wait time. 

We care about your pets and their safety is important to us, so please have them on leashes or in carriers!

32347 State Road 52              San Antonio, Florida              (352) 588-2132