Instructions

Fasting: Fasting for 6–8 hours is required prior to anesthesia. Puppies and kittens should not go without food for long periods – please consult your veterinarian beforehand to clarify their fasting time. Fresh drinking water must always be freely available to the animal.

Medications: If the animal takes daily medication (e.g., for pain, seizures, cardiovascular issues, thyroid, etc.), please consult your veterinarian before the procedure to confirm whether the morning dose should be administered.

Health information: If the animal has been lethargic, vomiting, coughing, or showing other acute symptoms or chronic illness in recent days, please inform us before the examination.

Time allocation: The animal will remain at the clinic for several hours, as preparation, the procedure, and recovery from anesthesia all take time. A specific discharge time will be agreed upon on the day of the examination.

Previous examinations: If the animal has undergone tests at other clinics (blood tests, X-rays, MRI, CT), please bring them with you if possible or email them to the clinic in advance. This helps avoid the need for repeated examinations.

Recovery: After anesthesia, the animal may be groggy, sleepy, or unsteady on its feet for some time. This is a completely normal and expected reaction. Drowsiness and instability may last for a couple of days. In some cases, digestive issues (loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation) may occur.

Eating and drinking: Upon returning home, you may offer food and water, starting with smaller portions, as digestion may be slightly slower following anesthesia.

Safe environment: Ensure the animal has a warm, quiet, and safe place at home. If possible, avoid using stairs and jumping onto higher surfaces until coordination has fully recovered.

Cleanliness is essential: Please ensure that the animal’s coat is clean and dry when arriving at the clinic. A clean coat helps reduce the risk of wound contamination.

Walking: If possible, take your dog for a short walk immediately before coming to the clinic to ensure the bowel and bladder are emptied.

Information and documents: Bring all necessary medical information, including results from previous examinations and details regarding currently used medications.

Licking or chewing the wound is strictly forbidden! Please ensure the animal wears a special protective collar or post-operative medical suit throughout the recovery period (or until the sutures are removed).

Monitor the wound daily. The wound area must always be clean and dry. Slight redness and swelling during the first few days are normal, but severe redness, discharge, or a foul odor require medical attention.

If you notice that the sutures have come loose for any reason, take a photo of the wound and send it to the clinic’s email address (info@erivet.ee). Then, lightly cover the area with a clean bandage to prevent further contamination.

Crusts forming on the wound may be gently soaked with 0.9% sodium chloride (saline) solution and carefully cleaned, unless the doctor has instructed otherwise.

Contact us as soon as possible if the animal is very lethargic 24 hours after surgery, vomits, refuses water entirely, loses its appetite, if medication cannot be administered, or if its gums have become unusually pale.

In case of severe pain, bleeding, breathing difficulties, or other life-threatening symptoms, call the clinic immediately. Outside EriVet’s opening hours, please contact the nearest 24-hour emergency veterinary clinic.

Confirming the diagnosis: First, a veterinary consultation should be completed to identify the underlying cause of the problem and perform necessary diagnostic tests (e.g., X-rays).

Referrals from other clinics: If your pet’s surgery or examinations were performed at another clinic, please ensure you bring the medical history summary and previous test results to the initial physiotherapy visit.

Comfort: Bring the animal to the appointment clean and, if possible, take a short walk immediately before arriving at the clinic to ensure the bowel and bladder are emptied.

Motivation: Bring the animal’s favorite treats and do not feed them a full meal beforehand. Physiotherapy involves active movement, and treats help keep the patient’s mood positive and calm.

The underwater treadmill is an excellent way to train muscles without straining the joints.

Cleanliness: Ensure the animal is clean when arriving at the clinic.

Walking: If possible, take a short walk immediately before coming to the clinic to ensure the bowel and bladder are emptied.

Cleaning fee: If a dog defecates in the water during the procedure, the entire hydrotherapy tank system must be drained and cleaned, which incurs an additional fee. If you know the animal has digestive issues or incontinence, please inform us in advance and ensure the use of special diapers.