Hearing that your dog or cat needs surgery can feel overwhelming. Even when you know surgery is the right next step, you probably have questions: How do I prepare my pet? What happens after I drop them off? Who monitors them during anesthesia? When will I hear from the veterinary team? And when can my pet come home?

At Jackpot Veterinary Center, we want you to know what to expect before your pet ever arrives for surgery. From pre-operative bloodwork to anesthesia, recovery, and follow-up care, our team has a process designed to keep you informed while providing attentive care for your pet.

Here’s what happens when your pet is scheduled for surgery with us.

Step 1: We Review Your Pet’s Surgical Estimate With You

Once our veterinarian recommends surgery, you'll receive an estimate outlining the anticipated services and costs associated with your pet's procedure.

Our team goes over the estimate with you item by item, so you understand what is included and have an opportunity to ask questions before scheduling.

We'll also review scheduling, the required deposit, and our cancellation and rescheduling policies so you know exactly what to expect.

Step 2: We Complete Pre-Operative Bloodwork

Before anesthesia, we perform bloodwork to evaluate your pet's health and help our veterinarian plan for their procedure.

Pre-operative bloodwork is completed within 30 days of surgery or on the day of the procedure if it has not already been performed.

These results give our medical team valuable information before administering anesthesia. If we identify a concern beforehand, we can address it and determine the safest next steps for your pet.

Step 3: We Help You Prepare for Surgery Day

When your pet's procedure is scheduled, our team gives you instructions for the night before and morning of surgery.

You'll receive specific directions regarding food, water, and medications. For our surgical patients, no food is given after 10:00 p.m. the night before surgery, while water is okay until it is time to leave for the hospital.

If your pet experiences fear, stress, or anxiety during veterinary visits, we can also address that before surgery day. Our veterinarian may prescribe gabapentin to help your pet arrive calmer and more comfortable. When prescribed, we'll tell you exactly when to begin the medication and when to give the surgery-morning dose.

Only give medications that our veterinary team has instructed you to administer before surgery.

Step 4: Your Pet Arrives at Jackpot Veterinary Center

Surgical patients are typically dropped off between 7:00 and 7:30 a.m.

After your pet arrives, we perform a complete pre-operative examination and place an IV catheter. If pre-operative bloodwork hasn't already been completed, we perform it at this time.

A brown dog on a surgery table being prepped for surgery by a technician.

Our team then begins preparing your pet for their procedure.

This includes administering appropriate medications, monitoring your pet for their response, and preparing the surgical site. Our veterinarian establishes the medication, anesthesia, and surgical protocol for your individual pet and procedure.

Step 5: Your Pet Has a Dedicated Surgical Team

Surgery isn't just your pet and the veterinarian in an operating room. There is a team caring for your pet throughout the procedure.

At Jackpot Veterinary Center, the veterinarian performs your pet's surgery with veterinary technicians supporting the procedure and anesthesia.

A team member is dedicated to anesthesia monitoring, carefully watching your pet throughout the procedure. Our team monitors your pet from preparation and anesthesia through surgery and into recovery.

Step 6: We Stay With Your Pet Through Recovery

Our care doesn't stop when the surgery is finished.

After the procedure, your pet enters a closely monitored recovery period. A team member is dedicated to your pet as they wake from anesthesia and continues monitoring their comfort and recovery.

Some pets wake up quickly, while others need more time. Recovery commonly takes anywhere from approximately 20 minutes to an hour, depending on factors such as your pet's age, size, health, procedure, and individual response to anesthesia.

We give your pet the time they need to recover safely rather than rushing the process.

Step 7: We Call You With an Update and Pickup Time

You don't have to spend the entire day wondering when you'll hear from us.

Once your pet is recovering and our team has a better idea of their progress, we call you with an update and an anticipated pickup time.

Before you arrive, our technicians prepare your pet to go home, including removing the IV catheter when appropriate, preparing medications, and completing your discharge instructions.

Step 8: We Go Over Everything Before You Go Home

At pickup, our veterinarian generally reviews your pet's procedure and recovery with you. A veterinary technician also goes through your discharge instructions and medications so you know exactly what your pet needs once you're home.

We'll discuss things like activity restrictions, incision care, feeding, medications, pain management, and what to watch for during recovery.

You'll also take care of the remaining balance for your pet's care at discharge.

And don't worry about trying to memorize everything while you're reunited with a groggy pet—we provide discharge instructions you can refer back to at home.

Step 9: We Follow Up After Surgery

Our relationship with you doesn't end when your pet walks out the door.

Our reception team follows up approximately 10–14 days after surgery, with a technician involved as appropriate, to check on your pet's recovery.

If your pet isn't healing as expected or you have concerns at any point during recovery, contact Jackpot Veterinary Center. Our team will determine the appropriate next step, including additional follow-up care when needed.

Have Questions About Your Pet’s Upcoming Surgery?

We know handing your pet over for surgery can be one of the more stressful parts of being a pet owner. Knowing exactly what will happen—and knowing who is caring for your pet—can make the day a little easier.

At Jackpot Veterinary Center, we guide you through the process from the initial surgical estimate and pre-operative testing to surgery, recovery, discharge, and follow-up care.

Have a question about your pet's upcoming procedure? Call Jackpot Veterinary Center at 520-999-3888.

Looking Ahead: Advanced Imaging With RadVet Imaging

As veterinary medicine continues to advance, so will the way we plan for surgery. RadVet Imaging Center, opening in Tucson in Fall 2026, will give our patients access to advanced CT and ultrasound imaging close to home. CT imaging allows veterinarians to see detailed, cross-sectional images of internal anatomy that aren't possible with traditional X-rays alone. For surgical patients, this can provide a clearer understanding of the location, size, and relationship of abnormalities to surrounding structures before entering the operating room—helping us make more informed decisions about surgical approach and treatment planning. For our patients, that means better information before surgery and an increasingly personalized approach to planning their care.

Preparing for Your Pet’s Surgery: What to Expect