Q: What is a board-certified veterinary surgeon?
A: Please see the "links" page for a thorough explanation.

Q: Can you diagnose my pet or provide a second opinion by email?
A: No. I cannot provide a diagnosis or a second opinion by email (or by phone). Accurate diagnosis and treatment require a thorough history, a complete physical examination and possibly special tests. Please contact your veterinarian or your surgeon as soon as possible if you have a question or a problem. After hours, over a weekend or during a holiday, contact your local emergency clinic.  When you call your regular vet after hours, there should be information about a local ER on a recording. Whether your pet is my patient or not, please understand that I cannot and will not answer specific questions by email.

Q: Who will take care of my pet when you leave the hospital?
A: When the surgery staff leaves Valley Central Veterinary Referral Center, the staff of the Valley Central Veterinary Emergency Hospital takes over. They treat emergency cases and take care of our patients at night and on weekends, year round. Your pet is therefore taken care of (and sometimes spoiled) 24/7, 365 days per year.

Q: How can I confine my pet after surgery?
A: Most clients worry a lot about the confinement, but if you follow these tips, things go smoothly in most cases.  Cats and small dogs can be kept in a baby play pen, -turned upside down so your pet doesn't escape or try to jump.  Larger pets can be confined in a small room: bathroom, laundry room, spare bedroom, office etc.  If you do use a room, please make sure that there are no harmful products your pet could eat, and avoid furniture your pet could jump onto...


Q: When should my pet have his or her first bowel movement after surgery?
A: Many pets will not have a bowel movement for the first 4-5 days after anesthesia and surgery.  There are several reasons for that: Your pet has been fasted prior to surgery; Your pet may not have eaten well during the hospital stay or the first few days at home; Pain medications may slow down the intestines.
If your pet does not have a bowel movement within 4-5 days after returning home, your vet or surgeon will often suggest a stool softener like Metamucil® or canned pumpkin.

Q: My dog had surgery and now is not eating. What can I do?
A: . Offer boiled, lean meat (chicken or hamburger) mixed with carrots and rice. Gradually wean your dog back onto the regular diet over a week or so.

. Flavor water with low fat, low salt chicken or beef broth to encourage drinking.

. Offer canned dog food or baby food.  Hand feeding may help a lot, too.

. Warming up the food (a little!) will enhance the flavor.

. Please keep in mind that a dog that is confined will need less calories.  Unless your dog needs to lose weight, a rough rule of thumb is to feed 75% of the regular daily amount.

Q: My cat had surgery and now is not eating. What can I do?

A: . Offer smelly foods- like tuna, chicken, or canned food.

. Try baby food, but avoid ONION.

. Petting your cat is relaxing and may stimulate the appetite.  Hand feeding may help a lot, too.

. In some cases, we can prescribe an appetite stimulant.


Q: My pet is vomiting since returning home. Why? What can I do?

A: There can be numerous reasons for vomiting.
. Your pet may be drinking large amounts of water at one time and then vomiting. If so, please offer small, frequent amounts of water.
. Medications (antibiotics, pain medications) may cause nausea and vomiting. In order to see which medication may be causing this problem, separate them by about 2 hours. Normally your pet will appear nauseated within one hour of receiving the medications. After you have narrowed down which medication it may be, please call your vet, who may change or discontinue the medication.
. Try offering the medications in a small amount of food.
. Nausea may be a result of anesthesia and should pass in a few days.
. As a general rule, and with your vet’s approval, withhold any food or water for 12 hours.
. If your pet has had abdominal surgery, becomes increasingly depressed, or the vomiting persists more than 24 hours PLEASE CALL YOUR VET OR SURGEON IMMEDIATELY!

Q: How do I know if my pet is in pain following surgery?

A: Signs of pain can be difficult to assess. Signs may often be very subtle.

Signs of pain include: Biting at the surgical site; Growling or a deep moan/cry; Anxiousness; Restlessness and not wanting to sleep or lie down, or continual pacing; Quiet or reclusive behavior, however your pet may just be upset about leaving and coming back home; The worst discomfort is typically for the first 2-4 days.

Q: Are there any medications I can give at home if my cat seems to be in pain?

A: IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU DO NOT GIVE ANY OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATIONS TO YOUR CAT FOR PAIN.  MANY OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUGS MAY HAVE SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, ESPECIALLY WHEN GIVEN WITH THE DRUGS YOUR CAT HAS BEEN PRESCRIBED. Please call your vet or surgeon if the medications provided for your cat are not helping, -stronger medications may be needed.

Applying a warm or cold compress to the incision area may reduce pain and swelling.

Q: Is it OK if I allow my pet to lick the incision?

A: No. When a pet licks the incision, it delays healing by traumatizing the area. Bacteria from the mouth may cause an infection.

Licking often removes the sutures or staples and opens up the incision, increasing the risk for infection. This may mean another anesthesia to clean up and resuture the wound!

Pets frequently groom themselves and will lick their incisions as well. If the skin is red or irritated, this normally means your pet has been licking.

Q: How do I stop my pet from licking?
A: Collars, such as the Elizabethan collar ("E-collar"), work best by providing a barrier between your pet’s mouth and the incision.  It must be long enough, i. e. extend beyond the nose.  E-collars are clear, so your pet can see through it, and can eat, drink, sleep and even go outside wearing it 24/7.  In fact, the more you leave it on, the quicker they will get used to it!  Taking it off when you are home and putting it back on when you leave frequently leads to problems.

Another type of collar is the "Bite Not" collar, which looks like a neck brace.

If the incision is over the chest or belly, a T-shirt may be worn.

Bitter Apple or similar product may be placed around the incision- not directly on the incision. However this does not deter some pets at all.  Some love the taste!