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Presurgical Package Handout

Feel confident heading into your pet’s procedure with our Presurgical Package Handout. We outline what to expect and how to prepare so your pet’s visit is as safe and smooth as possible.

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How to Prepare for Your Pet’s Presurgical Visit

What is a “Pre-Surgical Package”?

A pre-surgical package is a combination of medications given the night before and the morning of surgery. These medications help reduce fear, anxiety, stress, and pain associated with undergoing a surgical procedure.

Benefits of administering pre-surgical medications:
  • Helps reduce fear, anxiety, and stress associated with being in an unfamiliar environment
  • Calmer patients often require lower doses of injectable and inhalant anesthetics, which is safer
  • Patients typically experience less pain during recovery after surgery
Your pet may have been prescribed one or more of the following medications:

Gabapentin
Commonly used to manage chronic pain and may also help reduce anxiety caused by short-term triggers such as veterinary visits or thunderstorms.

Trazodone
Increases serotonin levels in the brain to help reduce anxiety. It is commonly used as a short-term anti-anxiety medication.

Cerenia
An anti-nausea medication that helps with nausea caused by stress, sedatives, opioids, and fasting prior to surgery. It also aids in metabolizing inhalant anesthetics, allowing us to use lower rates, which is safer.

All medications are dosed based on your pet’s weight and their Fear, Anxiety, and Stress (FAS) level noted at the last visit.

Please keep your pet calm once you begin administering medications. This helps them work effectively.

Normal side effects may include:

  • Sedation
  • A “drunken” or unsteady gait
  • Relaxed or droopy eyelids and/or redness; some cats may have dilated or constricted pupils

Less commonly, some pets may become more excitable. In older pets, you may notice throat clearing or more pronounced sedation.

These side effects are short-acting and typically wear off within 6–12 hours.

If you have any concerns before or after administering these medications that are not listed above, please call the clinic at (613) 969-0537. Clinic hours are 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Thursday, and 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Friday.

What to do when you arrive at the clinic for your appointment:
  • Keep your pet relaxed in the car until an exam room is ready, and we have reviewed the history questions with you by phone
What else can I do to help my dog or cat?
  • Bring your pet’s favourite toy or blanket that smells like home
  • We can often accommodate (and encourage) you to stay with your pet during the sedation process
  • For cats, cover the carrier with a towel to reduce stress and ask us about Feliway
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