Anasazi Animal Clinic
Procedure Day: What Can You Expect?


At Anasazi Animal Clinic, Inc. we understand your concerns as you approach the day your beloved pet is scheduled for laser surgery, dental scale and polish or other procedure that will require hospitalization. By understanding our procedures and knowing what you can expect, we hope to relieve some of your anxiety.

The evening before

Feed your pet his or her usual evening meal with plenty of fresh water as usual. By 12:00 PM midnight please remove any remaining food. Water to drink is OK.

The day of the procedure

Your pet should come to the clinic without food in the morning and NO TREATS. The exception would be if your pet is on any medication or antibiotics - continue to give them medication as usual. Please arrive at your scheduled early morning admission appointment time. The available time slots are 7:30, 7:40, 7:50 and 8:00. Anyone arriving after 8:00 a.m. may experience additional wait time due to regular morning appointments starting shortly thereafter. Many clients prefer the convenience of leaving their special friend in our care the evening prior to the procedure. A Brief Hospitalization stay will be charged.

You will be greeted in our reception area by one of our friendly client services team members or a veterinary nurse who will discuss and ask you to sign the necessary consent forms, if they were not completed during the Presurgical Examination visit. Your wait will be reduced considerably if the consent forms are filled out completely prior to arrival.

The admitting technician will then discuss the following:
  • Any medications that your pet is taking on a regular basis and if any medication was given the morning of admission.
  • A pager is given to each client so the doctor and staff can contact you as needed
  • When you can call to check on your pet. (A doctor will normally call the Anasazi pager that you were given at check-in once your pet is out of surgery, but feel free to call back if you like)
  • A discharge appointment will be scheduled
  • It is very important that you arrive at your reserved discharge appointment time so that:
    • The doctor can discuss you pets status and any necessary home care instructions
    • Medications can be dispensed
    • Team members have prepared your pet for discharge
    • A Medical Progress Exam can be scheduled
    • You may have to wait 20 minutes or more if you arrive very early or late due to other scheduled appointments
  • Please take your pet's leash home with you
  • Any elective procedures that you may wish to be performed at the same time, such as:
    • Dental scale and polish
    • Feline Leukemia Test
    • Heartworm Test
    • Laser Removal of Wart or Skin Growth
    • Microchip Pet Identification
    • Pedicure
    • Ear flush
  • Those procedures that require anesthesia or pre-surgical bloodwork will be more cost effective if performed at this time
  • Any additional questions that you may have...NO QUESTION is considered unimportant

    • A 50% deposit of the procedure fee is required at check-in
You should have one family member assume the responsibility as spokesman for the family. You can feel comfortable checking on your pet several times during the day if this will put you at ease. Our goal is to make this as painless as possible for both you and your hospitalized pet . . . away from your care and love.

Length of stay

The typical length of stay for the following laser surgeries would be - stay overnight and released after 10:00 AM the following morning.
  • Feline neuter
  • Feline spay
  • Feline declaw
  • Canine neuter
  • Canine spay
All other laser surgical procedures or other procedure types - please ask one of our helpful team members.

When can I pick up my pet?

After your special friend comes out of recovery and the doctor has spoken to you, then your pet can be released at the discharge time that was previously set up at check-in.

How will I know what to do for my pet when we return home?

When you arrive at the discharge appointment you will be given discharge instructions, which will require your signature.
  • Your discharge/home care instructions will tell you when to feed your pet next.
  • Your pet's activity should be restricted for the next seven to ten days.
  • You should prevent your pet from licking or scratching at his/her incision site. In many cases your pet may be sent home with a plastic e-collar to prevent such activity.
  • If your cat has been declawed you will be asked to use shredded newspaper in place of litter.
  • Your discharge/home care instructions will also tell you if there are external sutures closing your pet's incision and when they should be removed.
In conclusion:
  • The doctor will discussed you pet status, discharge/home care instructions and answer all of your questions to your satisfaction
  • You will be reunited with your special friend, who will be very happy to see you
  • Medication will be dispensed, if needed
  • A Medical Progress Exam will be scheduled
  • Payment for services provided will then be collected