When you entrust us with your pet’s care, we understand that you expect the best possible treatment. Any procedure involving general anaesthesia carries a small inherent risk, even for seemingly healthy pets. To give you peace of mind, we highly recommend pre-anaesthetic testing before we proceed with anaesthesia. Some health conditions may not be detectable during a physical exam, even in young animals. Please read the following instructions to ensure a smooth and safe surgery for your Pet.

 

​​​​​At Home Preparation

To help ensure a clean and safe environment for all our patients, we kindly ask that you bathe your dog prior to any surgical appointment, ultrasound, x-ray, or other procedures. This helps minimise the risk of contamination in our surgical wards and ensures the best care for your pet.

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Additionally, please ensure your dog is up to date on their flea and tick prevention. If fleas or ticks are found during their visit, we will administer flea treatment and charge accordingly. Please note, if your pet is found to be excessively dirty, a bathing fee may also apply.

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Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our clinic safe and your pet comfortable. 

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​​​​Pre-Anaesthetic Blood Testing

We recommend pre-anaesthetic blood testing for all pets, including young and seemingly healthy animals. These tests check vital organ function—particularly the liver and kidneys—which play an essential role in processing anaesthesia. In some cases, blood results may reveal underlying health issues that are not yet visible, allowing us to postpone the procedure and address any concerns before moving forward.

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🩺 “In over 40 years of veterinary practice, I’ve postponed hundreds of surgeries in pets who appeared healthy but had abnormal blood results. These findings have often helped detect diseases that would have otherwise gone unnoticed.”
— Dr Reb

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Even when results are normal, the blood test provides valuable baseline information. If your pet ever becomes unwell in the future, having these healthy reference values helps us interpret new test results more accurately.

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For example, Dr Reb recently performed desexing for his own dog, Annie. Her liver enzyme levels were well within the normal range—but also on the low end for her. If those values ever rose significantly (even within the "normal" range), he would know something had changed and act accordingly.

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💉 Special Offer

We believe so strongly in the value of these tests that we offer them at a special discounted rate.
Normally $200, we’re currently providing pre-anaesthetic blood tests for just $150 when performed prior to your pet’s desexing.

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Whether you choose to proceed with testing or not, our team will support you in making the best decision for your pet's care. If you have any questions, we’re always happy to help.

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Fluid Therapy
Opting for additional fluid therapy can aid in your pet's pre-surgery and post-operative recovery. Fluid therapy helps maintain blood pressure during surgery, ensures proper hydration, and helps flush the anaesthetic drugs from their system more quickly, making for a brighter recovery.

If you choose not to opt for additional fluids, your pet will still receive surgical fluids during the procedure.

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Pre-Surgery Instructions

• Ensure your pet’s last meal is the night before surgery and that water is withheld on the morning of surgery.

• If you’ve noticed any changes in your pet’s health recently (e.g., not eating, vomiting, coughing, etc.), please let us know so we can check these during the hospital stay.

• Ensure your pet has been treated for fleas. Please ensure dogs are bathed before surgery. If fleas are found, we will administer flea prevention and charge accordingly.

• Please bring your dog on a lead and your cat in a carrier.

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What to Expect on Admission
When you arrive, one of our Nurses or Vets will walk you through pre-admission steps, answer any questions, and have you complete a consent form.

This will include:

• Consent for the pre-anaesthetic blood test.

• Recording any belongings your pet brings in.

• A discussion of your pet’s surgery timing and a reliable contact number for updates.

Once your pet is in recovery, we’ll contact you to inform you of their progress. You’ll be given an estimated discharge time later in the day.

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What to Expect on Discharge
When you pick up your pet, our Nurse or Vet will review the procedure, discuss any test results, and provide after-care instructions, including medications and post-anaesthetic care.

You’ll also receive an itemised invoice, and we’ll collect payment before you receive your pet, so you’re free to focus on them.

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A follow-up visit will be scheduled if necessary (e.g., to remove sutures, check progress, or address any healing concerns).

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If you have any questions or concerns about your pet’s upcoming surgery, don’t hesitate to contact us at 07 5529 0700.