Your dog having surgery can be stressful and knowing what to expect on the day of your dog’s surgery can give you peace of mind. Veterinary technician Kate Basedow goes over what a typical surgery day looks like, as well as what to bring with you when you drop off your dog … and when to expect a phone call with an update.

Set yourself and your dog up for success by remembering NOT to feed your dog breakfast before surgery and by arriving on time to the vet’s office. Factor in some time for paperwork, and if your dog has been seeing multiple vets, bring copies of records and recent bloodwork.

Many clinics will call when your dog is out of surgery to schedule a pickup time. Expect your dog to be tired and to have some patches of shaved hair. And don’t forget your Elizabethan collar (cone) or a body suit to protect the incision! Either the surgeon or a veterinary technician will go over your dog’s discharge instructions with you and provide you with written instructions on how to care for your dog after surgery.

Links & Resources Mentioned in Today’s Show: 

Recommended Elizabethan collars (cones)*:

- Clear Custom Collar secured with Velcro, like the Supet Dog Cone

- ConTech ProCone Soft Recovery Collar

- The Original Comfy Cone

Recommended Surgery Suit*:

- Suitical Recovery Suit for Dogs

*As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases.

About Today’s Guest, Kate Basedow, LVT: 

Kate Basedow grew up training and showing dogs, and her passion for canines has affected all parts of her life. She earned a BA in English from Cornell University and an AAS in Veterinary Science from SUNY Delhi, and is a licensed veterinary technician in the state of New York. Her writing on dog-related topics has earned numerous awards from the Dog Writers’ Association of America and the Alliance of Purebred Dog Writers. Kate currently serves and adores two Belgian Tervuren and a Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

Other Links:

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