At Atlas Vet, we have safely conducted thousands of surgeries. This can range from complicated procedures like heart surgery to more routine sterilisation surgeries.
We have prepared a general guideline below to help you better prepare for your appointment. Kindly take the time to go through the information and contact us if you have any questions. :)
By engaging the vet clinic, you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions listed here: https://www.atlasvet.com.sg/terms/
Before the Surgery
Bath your pet
After surgery, your pet will not be able to get wet for approximately two weeks until their sutures are removed and wound is healed.
- Bathing your pet before surgery is a good idea to ensure they remain clean and smelling nice.
Nail clipping
On the day of the surgery, we will clip your pet’s nails if they are too long.
- This is because some animals will panic when they wake up from general anaesthesia and injure themselves.
- If you do not want to pay the nail clipping fee ($34), please trim the nails short at home.
Fasting
**For cats and dogs ONLY**
It is important that your pet's stomach is empty before an anaesthetic as the drugs can cause vomiting and lead to an aspiration or pneumonia during surgery recovery.
- Please do not feed your pet after 4am on the day of the surgery.
- Water is allowed.
- If your pet accidentally consumes food after 4am, please let us know to avoid any serious complications.
Blood Tests
Prior to anaesthesia, we will perform a physical examination to identify any existing medical conditions that could complicate the procedure and compromise the health of your pet. There is always the possibility a physical exam alone will not identify all of your pets health problems.
- Prior to anaesthesia, a pre-anaesthetic blood test can be performed.
- Blood tests can reduce the risks of complications as well as identify medical conditions that could require medical treatment in the future.
- Blood test ranges from $204 to $350, the vet will make their recommendation during the consultation if they are required.
- Check our health screening packages here: https://www.atlasvet.com.sg/screening/
- Please note a valid blood test (up to 3 months ago) is COMPULSORY for all animals 8 years old and above (4 years old and above for rabbits). This allows us to avoid unnecessary risk that can lead to anaesthesia complications.
Vaccination and Parasite Control
For the safety of your pet and the other patients in our care, it is important that your pets vaccination schedule, worming and flea control is up to date prior to surgery.
- If you have any questions about your pets vaccination history or appropriate parasite control, please contact us.
- If your pet is not on appropriate parasite control, we can provide this at an additional cost on the day of the surgery.
- This is to protect your pet and also other patients on the day that come to our clinic.
E-collar
An e-collar is necessary after surgery to prevent licking or biting of the surgery site.
- Licking or biting of the surgery site may lead to infection or surgical site breakdown.
- The cost of the ecollar is from $10 to $30, depending on the size of your pet.
- If you have one at home, please bring along during admission so we can advise on whether it is a good fit and put in on for your pet before recovery.
- It is more stressful for some pets to have an e-collar put on after recovery as opposed to waking up with an e-collar already on.
- Comments: In some instances, you may try to get a recovery suit to cover the location of the surgery.
Carriers
**Applicable for cats only**
We encourage cat owners to bring their cats in with a sturdy carrier that stand up in, stretch and turn around easily. it is also beneficial if it is a carrier that your cat is familiar with so he/she can feel safer inside, amidst the numerous stimuli outside. In order to decrease stress associated veterinary visits, we strongly discourage bringing your cat in on a harness and leash. The clinic is often filled with different kinds of animals and even if your cat is calm at home or is okay with your dog, it does not mean that he/she will be okay with other dogs or cats and vie versa. We strive for a low stress experience for your pets and the journey starts from home. Here are some links to help you introduce and train your cat to learn that the carrier is a safe place.
- Training Your Cat to Use the Carrier
https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=10282561 - Getting your Cat into a Carrier
https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=9135575 - Tip: Carriers with multiple openings (Front, back and top) is highly recommended to allow easy access to your cat. The easier and smoother the experience, the lesser the stress for your cat.
The Day of Surgery
On the day of surgery, we require your pet to be admitted to the clinic between 10am and 11am.
- An appointment time will be given to you.
- The admission process will take approximately 15 to 20 minutes as you will be asked questions about your animal's health and you will also be required to sign an anaesthesia consent form.
- This form describes that no anaesthetic or surgical procedure is without some risk to the patient.
- Every care is taken to ensure the health and safety of your pet - it is our first priority. However, we would be irresponsible not to inform you of the risks involved.
- If you are uneasy about this procedure or the complications that may arise, please contact us for more information. We are here to help.
Fees
A deposit (75% of estimate) will be collected during admission in the morning. All outstanding fees and costs must be paid for on the day of surgery before your pet is discharged.
Timeline
There are commonly a few procedures booked for the day.
- After all the patients are admitted in the morning, preparations are held in the morning. This will usually take 1-2 hours.
- This may include diagnostic tests like blood tests, xrays etc.
- The procedures are typically performed in the afternoon.
- IV fluids would be administered to make sure they remain hydrated.
- Calming medicine may be administered to reduce stress and anxiousness.
Patient Discharge
We will update you once the surgery is done.
- It is usually finished at around 5pm in the evening.
- We will continue to monitor the patient after the surgery and pick-up time is usually 6pm (we will update you on the day itself).
- Please wait for our update before heading down to the clinic.
- When your pet is discharged, you will receive a printed discharge instructions from one of our veterinary nurses and he/she will go through the sheet with you.
- If you would like an email copy of these notes, do let us know and we will send it to you. Please feel free to ask any questions during the discharge consultation.
Meal time
On the day of the surgery, we recommend feeding a meal after 8pm:
- This is to reduce the risk of vomitting after general anaesthesia.
- If your pet is having a dental procedure done, we recommend feeding a soft diet (e.g. wet or cooked food) for a few days.
Pet Pick Up
When you pick your pet up they may be tired and groggy.
- As such, it is important that they are transported home by vehicle and are not expected to walk there.
- For cats, please ensure that they are brought home in a proper carrier to ensure that they get home safely as external factors may spook them and cause them to be very stressed.
- Once at home, they need to be kept confined in a warm place to recover.
- Please read through the discharge instructions again to familiarise yourself with how to better care for your pet during the next 2 weeks.
Review appointment
After your discharge appointment, please make your way to the reception area to settle the remaining bills and book in a follow-up appointment.
- This appointment typically occurs 10-14 days after surgery.
- So we can check on your pet's wound and remove their stitches if needed.
- This recheck would be done by a veterinary nurse.
- Any concerns detected during the recheck will be communicated to the veterinarians.
The team at Atlas Veterinary Clinic and Surgery take the relationship with our clients and patients very seriously. We want you to feel at ease entrusting us with your furry family member and are happy to answer any questions at any stage in the process. We take pride in the services we provide and look forward to working with you to supplying your pet with the very best of care. Please feel free to call us to discuss any of your pet's needs further.