CONSENT FORM: We will ask that you sign a consent form for anesthesia prior to checking in your pet for the dental procedure. A cost estimate will also be provided for you to sign at the time of procedure check-in.
DROP-OFF TIMES: Procedure check-in is typically from 7:15-7:45 a.m., but please let us know if you need to arrange alternate times. Admitting your pet early in the day ensures adequate time for procedure preparation. This includes, but is not limited to: preoperative physical exam, bloodwork, pre-anesthetic injections, drug dose calculations, IV catheter placement, fluid administration, etc. Please allow 10-15 minutes to check in, double check your contact information, and sign the consent form and estimate.
FASTING: It is OK to leave water out for your pet overnight, but please withhold food after midnight on the evening before your pet’s procedure, OR as otherwise directed. This is for your pet’s safety on the day of the procedure, particularly to reduce the risk of regurgitating food intraoperatively. (Please note – diabetic patients, and patients with seizure disorder or other medical conditions may receive different feeding instructions.)
MEDICATIONS: If you are concerned about pain management before and after your pet’s procedure, please be assured that your pet will receive drugs both pre- and postoperatively to help with pain and anxiety. If your pet will be due for any medications during the day, please bring those medications to the morning check-in. Please discuss all medications that your pet is currently taking with Dr. Zacher. There are some medications that are necessary to continue at their usual given time, while some should be withheld prior to the procedure.
COMMUNICATION: We do our best to keep you updated on the day of your pet’s procedure. Typical phone calls include:
- Notification of any abnormal preoperative exam findings, including on bloodwork.
- Notification of start time of procedure, if possible.
- Notification of initial probing exam and dental X-ray findings, and any additional recommendations.
- Notification of your pet’s recovery from anesthesia and discussion of pick-up time.
- Addressing any other questions you may have throughout the day! ☺
PROCEDURE TIME: Although we would love to be able to specify the time when your pet will have his/her procedure, we usually cannot guarantee a precise time because of the varying schedule of our day. The order of patients’ procedures is based first and foremost on medical need.
DISCHARGE: At the time of pick-up, you will receive detailed home care instructions (a.k.a. “discharge instructions” or “discharges”) explaining the type of care that your pet will require at home during recovery. A Best Friends Animal Dentistry staff member will review these instructions with you and answer any questions you may have. Please allow at least 30 minutes for discharge, to check out and review instructions.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER: We ask that you (or someone you have designated to be responsible for your pet) be available by phone on the day of your pet’s dental procedure. Again, the doctor or staff will call you after the initial detailed oral/dental exam and dental radiographs to discuss the findings and to go over any additional recommendations. We will also call you once your pet’s procedure has finished and your pet is recovering from anesthesia to arrange a time for pick-up and to review home care instructions.
Please contact us if you have any questions about your pet's procedures!