to visit or not to visit?

My little rescue pup is going for orthopedic surgery next week. She is absolutely terrified of being touched by anyone but me and visits to the vet include snapping, hysterical struggling and messing herself. I will be there until they put her out, but they will keep her overnight and then I pick her up at the end fo the next day. Should I visit her during the day and a half she's recovering at the vet? I don't know if my presence would be reassuring or upsetting, since she'll want to come with me and I will have to leave her behind

i would go visit that way she knows you are there for her

me tooo I would visit. Also when you drop her off leave something like one of your worn sweatshirts with her. That way she can smell you and it should make her more comfortable.

i would visit. i found that just seeing them when they are in for awhile makes me feel better, and it comforts them. It's also nice because you can see how well the vets and vet techs are taking care of your baby.

We don't recommend visiting. The pet just gets excited to see you, and when you leave, gets more depressed. It's hard on them to think they're going home and then not. They need their rest after surgery, and exciting and depressing them like that isn't good for their recovery.

Yeah, I would pay her a visit-especially with her being a rescue- just so she knows you are still around, and you have'nt abandoned her. I hope all goes well in surgery, please keep us updated.

Originally Posted by menagerie mama

We don't recommend visiting. The pet just gets excited to see you, and when you leave, gets more depressed. It's hard on them to think they're going home and then not. They need their rest after surgery, and exciting and depressing them like that isn't good for their recovery.

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Thats a good point as well-- sorry for contradicting myself

Originally Posted by menagerie mama

We don't recommend visiting. The pet just gets excited to see you, and when you leave, gets more depressed. It's hard on them to think they're going home and then not. They need their rest after surgery, and exciting and depressing them like that isn't good for their recovery.

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That's what I wondered about. She'll be there for 24 hours after surgery, and I'd love to see her but I figured she'd think she was coming with me and then I'd have to leave her behind. She'll likely be pretty groggy most of that time, too, won't she?

As difficult as it will be, I would think it better not to visit and give her false hope that she is coming home. When you do go to pick her up she'll be so happy.

I would have to say that it is best not to visit. I've worked in veterinary critical care and I've seen what happens too many times. The animal is very, very happy to see his/her person but then becomes terribly agitated when they leave, sometimes to the point of needing to be chemically sedated because their agitation is so severe that it poses a danger. For such a short hospitalization, he will have a much smoother recovery if you do not visit during that time.

Originally Posted by lee

That's what I wondered about. She'll be there for 24 hours after surgery, and I'd love to see her but I figured she'd think she was coming with me and then I'd have to leave her behind. She'll likely be pretty groggy most of that time, too, won't she?

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Yep, they are really out of it for most of the night. Some places give a reversal agent to wake them up faster and they can go home the same day, but we don't. We let them sleep it off so their body can rest and heal, and they are sleepy throughout the night. The next morning, they're good as new!

I would definately visit.

I wouldn't visit.

It will just upset the dog more that you are leaving them again to be on their own. Just wait until they can be picked up and then spend lots of time with them to reassure that you aren't going anywhere.