Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit
What to Expect During Pet Surgery
Bringing your pet in for surgery can feel stressful, especially if it’s their first time. At Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit, we want you to know exactly what’s going to happen so you can feel confident and your pet gets the best care possible.
Here’s a step-by-step look at the entire process, from preparation to recovery.
Before Surgery: How to Prepare Your Pet
Preparation starts the night before. Here’s what you need to do:
- Fast your pet for 8-12 hours before surgery (no food; water is usually okay until the morning. Pets under 5lbs should not fast before surgery.)
- Make sure your pet has had a chance to go to the bathroom before arriving
- Bring any paperwork, vaccination records, or vet notes if this is your first visit
- Arrive at the clinic at your scheduled drop-off time
Our team will review your pet’s procedure, answer questions, and make sure you understand the next steps before surgery begins.
If your pet takes any medications, let our team know when you book. We will tell you whether to give them on the morning of surgery.
What if My Pet Is Nervous Before Surgery?
It’s completely normal for pets to feel nervous in a new environment. Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit uses pre-anesthetic medication to help pets relax before surgery, and our team works carefully to keep the experience as calm and low-stress as possible.
Most pets settle quickly once they arrive at the clinic and begin the check-in process.
During Surgery: What Happens at the Clinic
Here’s what happens once you drop your pet off at Dr. Kelly’s:
- Check-in and pre-surgery assessment. Our team reviews your pet’s health and confirms the procedure.
- Pre-anesthetic medication. Your pet receives a mild sedative to help them relax before anesthesia.
- Full anesthesia and monitoring. Your pet is placed under full anesthesia and digitally monitored throughout the entire procedure. Pet owners can also learn more about pet anesthesia safety before surgery day.
- The procedure is performed by a qualified veterinarian.
- Post-surgery recovery. Your pet wakes up under supervision. Our team monitors them until they’re alert, stable, and ready to go home.
Most procedures (including spay, neuter, dental, and minor surgeries) are same-day. You’ll typically pick your pet up in the afternoon.
After Surgery: Taking Your Pet Home
When you pick up your pet, our team will walk you through everything you need to know, including:
- How to care for the incision site
- When and what to feed your pet
- Activity restrictions and timelines
- Any medications to administer at home
- Warning signs to watch for
You’ll also receive a written discharge sheet so you have everything in one place. And if anything comes up during recovery, our team is just a phone call or text away.
Pet owners can also review our guide to pet surgery recovery for additional healing timelines, incision care tips, and recovery expectations.
How Long Does Pet Surgery Take?
It depends on the procedure:
| Procedure | Typical Procedure Time |
|---|---|
| Neuter | 15–20 minutes |
| Spay | 20–45 minutes |
| Dental cleaning | 30–60 minutes |
| Mass removal | 20–60 minutes depending on size/location |
| Hernia repair | 30–60 minutes |
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Full anesthesia means your pet is unconscious and does not feel pain during surgery. Dr. Kelly’s also provides pain-management support and take-home medication to help keep pets comfortable during recovery.
For safety and sterility reasons, pet owners are not in the procedure room during surgery. But our team will keep you updated, and you’ll receive a full briefing when you pick up your pet.
Every surgery at Dr. Kelly’s is performed under full anesthesia with digital monitoring. If any complication or unexpected change occurs, our veterinary team is trained to respond immediately. With more than 250,000 procedures completed, our team has extensive surgical experience.
Set up a quiet, comfortable space for your pet to rest. Keep other pets and children away for the first day. Have their e-collar or recovery suit ready, and make sure food, water, and bedding are within easy reach.
Most pets go home the same day as their procedure. Dr. Kelly’s will provide pickup timing and discharge instructions once your pet is fully awake, stable, and ready to go home safely.
Sometimes. Pets may be groggy or disoriented for several hours after anesthesia, and mild accidents can happen during recovery. Keep your pet in a calm, easy-to-clean area until they are fully steady and alert.
Many pets need to wear an e-collar (cone) or recovery suit after surgery to prevent licking or chewing at the incision site. Dr. Kelly’s will let you know what recovery protection is recommended for your pet’s procedure.
Most pets can have a small amount of food and water a few hours after arriving home. Many pets return to normal eating within 24 hours, although mild grogginess after anesthesia is common.
Ready to Book?
Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit makes pet surgery straightforward, affordable, and less stressful for both pets and pet owners. From preparation through recovery, our team will guide you through every step of the process.
Request an appointment through the online appointment portal .
