Preparing the patient for a procedure
A pre-procedure visit: examination, blood test, anaesthetic risk assessment (STD-01) and clear instructions on how to prepare the animal at home.
What it involves
A pre-procedure visit is an appointment at which we check that the animal can safely undergo anaesthesia and explain what you need to do at home on the day of the operation. We work to our standard STD-01: clinical examination, blood tests, assignment to an ASA risk class and selection of the anaesthetic protocol.
This means there are no surprises on the day of the procedure: we know whether the kidneys and liver will cope well with the drugs, whether the heart needs further investigation, and whether there is anaemia or a clotting disorder. If something turns out to be abnormal, we have time to postpone the procedure or modify the plan.
You receive written instructions: when to stop feeding, which medicines to give in the morning and which to skip, what time to arrive and how collection will work.
When it is used
We plan a pre-procedure visit before every planned procedure: neutering, dental treatment, tumour removal, orthopaedic surgery. It usually takes place 1–7 days before the procedure, and in healthy young animals it can be combined with the day of the operation.
For seniors, animals with a chronic disease and brachycephalic breeds (pugs, bulldogs, Persian cats), the visit in advance is mandatory — we often add echocardiography or a chest X-ray.
Indications: symptoms that should prompt a visit
- A dog or cat has a planned spay, neuter or other elective procedure.
- The animal is a senior and is due to have an anaesthetic for teeth cleaning.
- A brachycephalic dog is due to have a procedure and you are worried about its breathing after anaesthesia.
- The animal takes regular medication (for the heart, thyroid, epilepsy) and you do not know whether to give it on the day of the procedure.
- After a previous anaesthetic the animal was slow to wake up or did not tolerate it well.
- You want to understand exactly what the day of the procedure will look like.
Conditions for which we use it in particular
Diagnostics beforehand
The basis is a clinical examination and a blood count and blood biochemistry from our laboratory (result the same day). For animals over 7 years of age or with cardiac signs we add echocardiography and ECG; for lung disease, a chest X-ray. For kidney conditions, a urine test as well. For cats over 7 years of age we also measure the thyroid hormone level (T4).
On this basis the vet assigns the patient to an ASA class (from I — healthy, to V — critical condition) and selects the drugs and the extent of monitoring at the anaesthetic station.
How it proceeds
The visit takes 20–40 minutes. We take a history (medication, allergies, previous anaesthetics), examine the animal, take blood and, if needed, carry out additional tests. We discuss with you the type of procedure, the anaesthetic plan, pain management (STD-04) and the length of hospital stay.
We set the date of the operation and give you instructions: usually no food for 8–12 hours before the procedure (shorter for puppies and kittens), water until the morning, medication as advised for the individual patient. You sign a consent form for the procedure; if you have any doubts, this is the best moment to ask questions.
Aftercare
After the pre-procedure visit the animal goes home with no restrictions. On the day of the procedure, please arrive at the agreed time with the health booklet; the patient handover is carried out using the procedure checklist, in line with standards STD-03 and STD-06.
Please call if the animal becomes unwell before the procedure (vomiting, diarrhoea, cough, fever) or eats something overnight — postponing the procedure is safer than anaesthetising an unwell or recently fed patient.
Frequently asked questions
Is fasting really necessary?
Yes. A full stomach under anaesthesia risks vomiting and aspiration. Healthy adult animal: 8–12 hours without food, water until the morning. Puppies, kittens and diabetic animals have separate recommendations.
Should I give regular medication in the morning?
It depends on the drug. Heart and anti-epileptic medication usually yes, insulin at a reduced dose, some others we leave out. We will write this in the instructions.
Are blood tests compulsory in a young animal?
In line with standard STD-01 we recommend them for every patient — young ones too, because congenital kidney or liver defects give no signs but change the choice of drugs.
How long will the animal stay with you after the procedure?
For short procedures, usually until the afternoon of the same day. For larger operations — one or more nights in our in-patient hospital; we agree this at the pre-procedure visit.
We manage every case individually. The scope, indications and course described above are indicative; we agree the exact diagnostic and treatment plan during the consultation. This content is for information only and does not replace a veterinary consultation.
Have questions about preparing the patient for surgery?
Call us or book a consultation. We will set out the diagnostic and treatment plan in writing, before you decide.