Always bring your pet’s medications with you in the original prescription bottles. Not all medications can be administered in Hospital due to laws/regulations. Please also bring any recent diagnostics (such as blood work or x-rays) from your primary care veterinarian. They will sometimes be sent over from your veterinary clinic, but it is always good to have a copy just in case.

Usually, surgery will not occur on the day of the appointment. The initial appointment will include a physical examination and any diagnostics needed before surgery. Elective surgeries are performed by the Soft Tissue Surgery service on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Emergency surgeries are performed any day of the week.

The surgeon or veterinary team will inform you of any medications that need to be discontinued prior to surgery; this will be dependent on the procedure and medication. Please contact the Hospital at 517-353-5420 if you are unsure and always consult with your pet’s veterinarian before suddenly stopping any medication.

Recovery time can be variable based on the surgery required, but most Soft Tissue Surgery patients are able to go home within 2–4 days following surgery. Your surgeon and/or veterinary team will discuss the expected stay and estimated cost for this time.

Your veterinary health care team will inform you of any care that needs to be done at home. Also, they will inform you of any care that will have to take place at the Hospital and require a/multiple visits. However, it is important to watch for signs of infection. These include redness, swelling, pain, heat, and fluid coming from the incision. If your pet was provided with an Elizabethan collar (E-collar) it is important they wear it until the incision is healed. This prevents any licking, scratching, or chewing from happening that could impede healing. During the recovery period, it is also best to walk your pet outside, decrease activity, and prevent any running or jumping.

When your pet is discharged after their procedure you will be informed about re-check recommendations and asked to schedule the re-check appointment. Most patients are re-checked at 10–14 days following a procedure to ensure that the surgical site has been healed.

If questions or concerns arise, be sure to call the clinic to see if your pet should come in sooner.

Surgeries have many variables that the cost is dependent upon; estimates will depend on the type of surgery, required hospitalized care, diagnostics, and the severity of the disease.

Estimates will be provided to you by your pet’s veterinary health care team upon evaluation.

Your pet’s surgical team will include a Soft Tissue Surgery faculty surgeon, surgical doctors in training, veterinary students, and our veterinary nurses.

While your pet is anesthetized, the anesthesia team remains with your pet at all times.