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Compassionate Care

Surgeries

Just like people, pets can require surgery for a number of reasons.

Whether it’s a simple spay or neuter or a complex, life-saving operation, sending your beloved companion in for an operation can be frightening. It is natural to feel apprehensive, but when you choose Best Friends Animal Hospital and Pet Resources for your pet’s surgery in Swansea, you can rest assured knowing that they are in excellent hands.

Our expert team is equipped with the knowledge and tools to perform a wide range of procedures, and your pet’s safety and comfort are always our primary concerns before, during, and after surgery. When your pet needs surgery, let Best Friends take care of your best friend.
Explore Surgeries We Offer

Our Surgical Services

Our state-of-the-art facility is equipped for spay and neuter surgeries, soft-tissue surgeries, some orthopedic surgeries, and dentistry. When you choose us for your companion’s surgical needs, we will do everything we can to ensure their comfort and safety and to address any questions or concerns you may have.

Comfort Care Packages

It is extremely important to us to make all of your pet’s interactions with us as positive as possible. To minimize the anxiety associated with being hospitalized and the pain associated with undergoing surgery, as well as any nausea that some of the anesthetics might cause, we recommend that your pet be given a few doses of medication before their surgery. (Keep in mind that some pets become lethargic after taking the medication.)

The medications used are as follows:

Maropitant (brand name Cerenia): This anti-nausea medication can minimize any GI upset caused by some anesthetics, allowing your pet to eat sooner and feel better overall.  It lasts 24 hours and can be given to dogs and cats, typically the evening before the procedure.

Gabapentin: This medication helps to minimize anxiety associated with the pet’s car ride, as well as their stay in the hospital. It is used in dogs and cats and is usually given the evening before and morning of the procedure.

Trazodone: The medication trazodone helps minimize any anxiety associated with the pet’s visit to the hospital. It is used in dogs in conjunction with the gabapentin, given the evening before and morning of the procedure.

Post-Operative Laser Therapy: When used over the incision area, laser therapy can help minimize inflammation while enhancing the healing process, helping your pet feel better once awake from their surgical procedure.

Food

The night before surgery, your pet is free to eat and drink as usual. Close to bedtime, give your pet their premedication, and pick up their food bowl. Please do not feed anything after 10 pm. A very small amount of water (approximately ¼ cup per 20 pounds) may be left out overnight.

On the morning of surgery, give your pet their fear-free medication. If needed, you may give a very small amount of food, such as 1 teaspoon of peanut butter or ¼ of a slice of bread or cheese, to help your pet take their medication. If your pet is on a special diet for medical reasons and this is all he or she eats, please bring a small amount with you on the day of surgery so we can offer some once your companion is fully awake.

When to Arrive

On the day of surgery, please plan to arrive at your previously discussed check-in time, which should be between 7:00 am and 7:30 am. At this time, a tech will admit your pet and address any last-minute questions or concerns you may have. Please allow 15 minutes for this process.

We begin surgical procedures shortly after 8:00 am. During this time, a nurse may not be immediately available to admit your pet. This is why, unless other arrangements have been made, we need you to bring your pet in by 7:30 am.

Your pet’s doctor will call you after surgery to let you know how the procedure went and to discuss when you can pick them up. Please know that the doctor may not be able to call you until lunchtime. This does not mean that anything went wrong or that you should worry. It simply means that the doctor is still doing surgeries and cannot get to the phone.

Things to Consider Prior to Arrival

Pre-Surgical Exam Visits: All patients need to have a presurgical exam, either with a doctor or one of our technicians (depending on how long it’s been since we’ve last seen your pet).  At this visit, we will review your estimate and collect the necessary bloodwork samples, do an EKG for the doctor to review, ensure presurgical paperwork is filled out, and collect a deposit.

Anesthesia Consent Form: Please read our anesthesia consent form, which can be found on our website. It explains our recommendations for screening patients before they go under anesthesia. If there is anything you don’t understand, please discuss it with our team. We will review the form with you during patient check-in.

Deposit:  There is a $100 deposit for surgeries.  If you need to cancel or reschedule the procedure, please give 48 hours notice, or the deposit will not be refunded.  The remaining balance for the procedure is due when your pet is discharged.  We accept all major credit and debit cards and financing through Scratchpay or Care Credit.

Microchipping: We recommend microchipping for all of our patients. If your pet ever gets lost, these permanent chips can provide shelters, veterinarians, etc. with your name, address, and phone number so that your companion can be returned to you safely and quickly. If you choose to have your pet microchipped, we will register them with Home Again using the address and phone number we have on file. Whether you decide to register the following year is up to you, but your pet will remain in the database indefinitely. Please remember to update your contact information if it changes.

Contact Information and Pick-Up: Please be prepared to provide us with all the contact numbers needed to get in touch with you at any time throughout the day of surgery. Also, please bring emergency contact information in case we are unable to contact you. A doctor or nurse will call you after surgery to let you know how your pet is doing and to confirm a pick-up time. In almost all cases, pick-up is after 2 pm.