At Eureka Veterinary Clinic, we understand how worrying it can be to leave your pet for surgery — even for a routine procedure. They're part of your family, and you want to know they're safe, cared for, and treated gently.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through exactly what happens when your pet comes in for surgery. From the moment you drop them off to the moment they’re back in your arms, we aim to provide compassionate, professional care that puts both pets and owners at ease.

Before Surgery: Admission and Pre-Anaesthetic Care

On the day of surgery, we admit your pet into our clinic in the morning. A nurse will go through the consent form with you and answer any last-minute questions.

Your vet will then:

• Perform a thorough physical exam
• Review your pet’s history
• Check recent blood test results or recommend pre-anaesthetic blood screening

Pre-anaesthetic blood testing allows us to assess vital organ function, screen for underlying health concerns, and tailor your pet's anaesthetic plan for maximum safety.

This helps us personalise the anaesthetic approach and ensure your pet is in the best condition to proceed.

All surgical patients receive intravenous (IV) fluid therapy during their procedure to maintain blood pressure, support circulation and help their body process medications safely.

Getting Ready: Sedation and Monitoring

To help your pet stay calm, we give a gentle sedation before the anaesthetic. This also helps reduce the amount of anaesthetic gas needed and makes recovery smoother.

We place an intravenous (IV) catheter and start fluid therapy to maintain hydration and support blood pressure during surgery.

Throughout the procedure, your pet is closely monitored by a trained surgical nurse using advanced equipment to track:

• Heart rate and rhythm
• Respiratory rate
• Blood pressure
• Oxygen levels
• Body temperature

During Surgery: Precision and Care

Once your pet is fully anaesthetised and stable, the vet performs the surgery with the support of a dedicated surgical nurse.

We use:

• Sterile technique and instruments
• Pain relief before, during and after surgery
• Temperature support (e.g. warm air blankets)
• Ongoing monitoring from start to finish

Our team works efficiently and carefully to minimise time under anaesthetic and ensure your pet is as comfortable as possible.

Recovery: Warmth, Comfort, and Observation

After surgery, your pet is moved to a recovery area with soft bedding and a warming pad. A nurse stays close by while they wake up, offering gentle reassurance and monitoring until they’re sitting up and alert.

We contact you as soon as your pet is in recovery and will:

• Let you know how the procedure went
• Update you on how your pet is feeling
• Arrange a pick-up time with clear discharge instructions

Going Home: Support Every Step of the Way

We know it can be a bit overwhelming bringing your pet home after surgery. That’s why we provide:

• Easy-to-follow aftercare instructions
• Pain relief and any medications your pet needs
• Access to follow-up support if you have concerns

We’ll also book in a recheck appointment to ensure your pet is healing well.

A Team That Cares

Behind every surgical procedure is a team of caring, dedicated people.

• Our receptionists help arrange appointments and work behind the scenes to coordinate the day so everything runs smoothly for you and your pet.
• Our nurses are by your pet’s side from admission to recovery, offering gentle handling, monitoring and comfort every step of the way.
• Our vets work collaboratively, sharing knowledge and supporting each other to provide high-quality, personalised care for every patient.

We are proud of our team-based approach, where compassion, communication, and professionalism come together to create a better experience for both pets and their people.

Our Promise to You

At Eureka Veterinary Clinic, we treat your pets as if they were our own. Whether your pet is coming in for a routine desexing or a more complex procedure, they’ll receive professional, respectful, and compassionate care at every stage.

Have questions or want to know more about what’s involved? We’re always happy to talk.

Book your pet’s procedure with confidence. We’re here when you need us.