Find Answers to Your Questions About Pet Surgery in Raymond Terrace & Thornton

Caring for Your Pet During Surgery

At My Vets Irrawang & Thornton, your pet’s safety and comfort always come first. Our clinics are equipped with advanced monitoring technology, helping us make every surgical procedure as safe as possible.

Before any anaesthetic is given, our veterinarians perform a thorough physical examination to ensure your pet is well enough for surgery. This helps us detect any signs of illness or fever that could make anaesthesia unsafe.

We also offer pre-anaesthetic blood testing. These tests check how well the liver and kidneys are working, giving us important information to tailor the anaesthetic plan specifically for your pet. This extra care means we can keep your furry friend as safe and comfortable as possible throughout their procedure.

To help us provide the best care, please make sure your pet has an empty stomach before surgery. Withhold food for 8–10 hours before the procedure, but water can be left out until the morning of surgery.

In many instances, we use absorbable sutures underneath the skin. We won't have to remove the stitches at a later date, as they'll ultimately dissolve on their own. Some surgeries, especially tumour excisions, call for skin stitches as well.

No matter which type of treatment your pet receives, you will need to keep an eye on the incision for swelling or discharge. We also request that you watch your dog or cat to ensure that they don't lick or chew their stitches. If skin sutures are present, they'll generally be removed 10 to 14 days after the surgery has been completed.

Baths are not permitted for the first 10 days after surgery.

Pain Management and Comfort

At My Vets Irrawang & Thornton, your pet’s comfort is one of our highest priorities. Animals often don’t show pain in the same way people do — they may not cry or whine, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t experiencing discomfort. Our team takes every precaution to ensure that your pet is kept as comfortable and pain-free as possible throughout their recovery.

The type of pain relief we prescribe depends on the nature of the surgery.

Dogs typically receive a pain relief injection before and after their procedure. When they go home, we may recommend an oral anti-inflammatory to help reduce swelling and discomfort over the following days.

Cats process medications differently and cannot safely take drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or paracetamol. Instead, we use specialised feline-safe pain medications, including modern options that are both effective and gentle. These are often administered on the morning of surgery.

For certain procedures, we may also recommend narcotic patches or additional injectable pain relief for both dogs and cats.

If you’d like to learn more about our approach to pain management or discuss your pet’s individual needs, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team.

Before Your Pet’s Surgery

At My Vets Irrawang & Thornton, we want both you and your pet to feel fully prepared and at ease before surgery. Our team will guide you through each step, answer your questions, and ensure you know exactly what to expect on the day.

We will confirm with you the evening before your pet’s procedure to confirm drop-off details. Our goal is to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible for both you and your pet.

While your pet is under anaesthetic, we can also perform a range of minor additional procedures if needed, including:

Professional dental cleaning

Ear cleaning

Microchip implantation for identification

If you’d like an estimate for any of these optional services, please speak with one of our friendly staff members before your pet’s procedure.