Veterinary Surgery & Orthopedics

What to Expect at Your Pet's Appointment

At VRCC, our surgical center is equipped with cutting-edge surgical instrumentation and equipment. Everything we do and every decision we make is designed to ensure post-operative success for your pet.

• Pre-Operative Lab Work

  Before any surgery, it is important to rule out potential health risks; for your pet's safety, we request that blood work be done within 2-6 weeks of the scheduled surgery day (unless otherwise discussed with your pet’s surgeon). 

• Preparation & Medications

  Take all food and snacks away from your pet after 10 p.m. A small amount of water is okay to leave available.

  If you normally give nighttime medications, continue as normal, unless directed otherwise by our staff.

• Registration Forms & Meet Technician

  When you drop off your pet, be prepared to:

  • Sign the Surgery & Orthopedics Form and Check-In Questionnaire, and Procedure Consent Form
  • Fill out the Patient Intake Form if you haven't already (please allow 15 minutes before your appointment to complete if you need assistance).
  • Fill out the Anesthesia Questionnaire
  • Verify phone numbers where a family member can be contacted
  • Leave a deposit (the low end of the surgical estimate); unless other previous arrangements have been made
  • Briefly meet with admitting technician to answer any questions
• Medical Records & Nutritional Information

  Bring current information about your pet's condition, including medical records, special food diets, supplements, current bloodwork, and radiographs. 

  Let us know if your pet is on steroids or aspirin since these can increase the risk of bleeding disorders and/or infection and limit our choices for post-operative pain relief.

• Consultation & Physical Exam

  During the consultation, a veterinary surgeon will perform a physical exam for your pet, then discuss your pet's condition and any further diagnostic and therapeutic options.

  Our staff is properly trained to carefully restrain pets, so it's in your pet's best interest to let us do this for you, since they may sense fear or nervousness in you and react negatively, or nip, bite, scratch, jump in response to discomfort.

• Reminders

  Please arrive with your dog on a leash (must be less than 6 feet long) and/or your cat in a carrier for your pet's safety and for the safety of other animals and people in the office.

  Make sure your pet has attempted to both urinate and defecate before admitting.

  If your pet already has an E-collar (aka lampshade, or cone) please bring it with you at admit drop-off.

  Please have an idea of any medication refills you may need for post-op.

  It is a good idea to have your pet groomed prior to surgery, they may not have another opportunity for 2-10 weeks.

Department FAQs

Most clients will have a wide range of questions and concerns when bringing their pet in for surgery. Here are some commonly asked questions about appointments at our veterinary hospital: 

• When are surgery appointments available?

  New patient appointments are available Monday through Friday.

  For some procedures, same day consultation and surgery may be available. Please note that surgery is not guaranteed the same day as your consultation, if it is determined that additional diagnostics and/or surgical planning is required.

  Emergency surgeries are available throughout the week and weekends, including Holidays.

• How are referral appointments requested?

  If you are a referring veterinarian please fax medical records/history to (303) 874-3202 or send via e-mail to surgery@vrcc.com.

  Please email radiographs to surgery@vrcc.com. We may be reached directly by phone at (303) 874-2073.

• What if my pet requires overnight care?

  Most pets will stay the night after their surgery for observation and to ensure postoperative comfort. Your pet’s care will be provided by a 24-hour staff of doctors and technicians.

  We provide fresh, comfortable bedding, along with food and water as medically appropriate. We recommend against leaving any personal belongings with your pet during their stay, as it is possible these items may get misplaced.

  If you wish to provide a specific diet for your pet during their stay, please bring it in a sealed, leak-proof container, and make sure its contents are clearly labeled with: type of food, your pet’s name, and the date.

• What are your patient visiting hours and guidelines?

  We understand that pets are a part of the family. Being separated from your pet can be extremely difficult and stressful for everyone. Although we do not have set visiting hours at our hospital, you are able to visit your pet during their stay in the hospital.

  Please observe the following guidelines for visiting with your pet:

  • To set up a time to visit with your pet, call to speak with your pet's care team.
  • We request that you limit your visit to 15 minutes – consideration will be given on a case-by-case basis to allow for extended visitation time.
  • If you visit your pet after-hours, keep in mind that your pet's primary care team will not be available for questions. Any questions you have will be addressed the following day when the primary care team is back in the hospital.
  • All necessary safety protocols must be followed in cases when your pet is being hospitalized in our isolation unit.
  • In some situations, our Patient Care staff may request that you return to the lobby. We will reunite you with your pet as soon as possible.
  • Although you will not be allowed to stay overnight with your pet, we welcome you to call and check in with our patient care staff at any time to learn the status of your pet.
  • For privacy purposes, patient status for pets other than your own cannot be shared.
• How do I refill my pet's prescription?

  Prescriptions may be refilled by speaking with one of our staff members or by simply leaving a message on our department voice mail at (303) 874-2073.

  Please call for refills Monday through Thursday from 7:00 am - 5:00 pm. Once refills are filled, they can be picked up at our Pharmacy. 

  Prescriptions are only refilled during regular business hours, not on weekends, so be sure to request refills early enough that you will not run out.

  By law, prescriptions can only be made for one year. After a year another appointment must be made to refill your pet's medications.

  For long-term prescription needs, your doctor may recommend transferring medication refill needs back to your primary veterinarian, for improved continuity of care and monitoring.

• When should I book my pet's checkup/recheck appointment?

  Rechecks will be discussed at the time of your pet's appointment and/or discharge.

Diagnostics & Tools

We offer a wide range of diagnostics at our animal hospital, including:

Digital Radiology

Digital images are ready for evaluation within seconds and allow us to email or make copies of your pet’s images so that your family veterinarian has a complete medical update.

Computed Tomography (CT scan) and Fluoroscopy

CT is used to evaluate both soft tissue and bone, providing better evaluation of structures inside the body than can be achieved with standard radiography, and is used for radiation planning.

Fluoroscopy is essentially a “real-time” or “motion x-ray” that can be used during surgery for improved visualization of certain structures.

Laparoscopy, Thoracoscopy, & Arthroscopy

These minimally invasive techniques using state-of-the-art equipment involve the creation of several small “ports” for placement of a camera and instruments. These procedures can be used for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Ultrasonography

Ultrasound of the abdomen and musculoskeletal system is performed by specialists in our hospital to help diagnose conditions and safely obtain samples that aid in diagnosis.