Question 1

What should I bring to my pet's appointment?

Accepted Answer

🦴Bring medications your pet is currently taking
🦴 Have Pet insurance? Please bring a copy of your policy number - policies can vary greatly - please consult your insurance provider for all inclusions/exclusions.

Question 2

What do I need to do before my pet's orthopaedic surgery?

Accepted Answer

🦴 Recovery area set-up:
1) 2m x 2m area of confinement - small room, pen or crate
2) Non-slip flooring - yoga mats, carpet or foam jigsaw puzzle floor squares work well
3) Bedding - dog bed low to the floor
4) Food and water bowls
5) Toys

Question 3

How can I keep my dog entertained through their recovery after orthopaedic surgery?

Accepted Answer

Enrichments strategies including:
🦴Lick mats
🦴Puzzle feeders
🦴Play the radio or TV
🦴On-leash sniff walks (please check your pet's recovery plan for activity level instructions first)
🦴Chew toys

Question 4

How do I make an appointment?

Accepted Answer

For all enquiries, please send us an email at info@coastorthovet.com.au with the following details:
🦴Pet's name
🦴Your full name
🦴Best contact phone number
🦴Regular vet / vet hospital details

We will be in touch ASAP to discuss your enquiry and assist with next steps e.g. scheduling appointments, advice in the follow-up period of your pet's surgery.

Question 5

What can I expect during my pet's orthopaedic consultation at Coast Orthovet?

Accepted Answer

🦴 Consultations run approximately 45 minutes
🦴 Discussion of your pet's medical history
🦴 Physical exam and gait analysis of your pet
🦴 Review of available imaging and diagnostic tests
🦴 Surgical opinion
🦴 Estimate of costs for individual treatment plan

Question 6

What should I expect after my pet has orthopaedic surgery?

Accepted Answer

🦴 A recovery plan will be provided to you, detailing the specific requirements in recovery for your pet following surgery, including medications, follow-up appointments and activity or confinement requirements and time-frames.

🦴It is not unusual for your pet to feel a bit "out-of-sorts" for the first few days, due to the unusual event of visiting the vet, anaesthetic, surgery and medications.

🦴 Following major orthopaedic surgery, it is not unusual for your pet to have reduced appetite, thirst, urination and defecation for several days.

🦴 Bruising and swelling of the operative limb is common.

If your pet has had surgery with us and you are concerned about their recovery, please contact us at info@coastorthovet.com.au / 0432 146 705.

In the event of an emergency out of hours: please contact your regular vet or nearest after-hours emergency centre.

Question 7

How will I know what to do after my pet has orthopaedic surgery with Coast OrthoVet?

Accepted Answer

🦴 Prior to surgery, a pre-op consultation is held where the procedure, prognosis, risks and recovery plan is discussed in detail.

🦴 Following surgery, a discharge appointment with a member of our team where we will take you through the recovery plan including medications, follow-up appointments, timeframes and what to look out for/when to ask for advice.

🦴A recovery plan will be provided to you, detailing the specific requirements in recovery for your pet following surgery, including medications, follow-up appointments, confinement requirements, allowed activities, time-frames and when to ask for advice.

Frequently asked questions