Pre-Operative Information

Thank you for booking your pet’s procedure at Kimbolton Vets. Please read the information below carefully so you know what to expect before, during, and after their visit.

🍽️ Food & Water

  • Feed your pet their usual dinner the night before, but no later than midnight. There is no need to restrict access to water.

  • Cats should be kept indoors overnight with access to a litter tray.

  • Dogs should be taken out to the toilet before coming in.

  • Please make sure your pet is clean and dry when they arrive.

📝 Consent Form

You’ll be asked to sign a Consent Form at the admit appointment after we have discussed the procedure and any risks involved. We’ll talk this through with you so you feel fully informed.

💉 Pre-Anaesthetic Blood Test

We offer a pre-op blood test to check your pet’s liver, kidneys and blood cells. This helps us choose the safest anaesthetic plan and spot any underlying issues.

We recommend it for all patients, and strongly advise it for:

  • Dogs over 7 years

  • Cats over 10 years

We’ll ask you about this at admission.

🩺 Medical Conditions & Medication

Please let us know if your pet:

  • Has any medical conditions (e.g. heart disease, diabetes, epilepsy)

  • Has had any reactions to medication in the past (e.g. diarrhoea)

  • Is taking any medication—please bring the name, dose, strength, and the time it was last given

💊 What Happens After Admission

Once admitted, your pet will:

  • Have bloods taken (if requested)

  • Be given a sedative to help them relax

  • Receive pain relief to keep them comfortable

They’ll then be given a tailored general anaesthetic.
A trained nurse will monitor them throughout surgery using advanced equipment.
After their procedure, your pet will recover in a warm, quiet space under close supervision.

📞 Collection & Discharge

Most procedures are finished by 2:00 pm, though emergencies may delay the schedule.
We’ll call or message you once your pet is in recovery and arrange a suitable collection time, usually between 3:00 and 5:00 pm.

At discharge, our nurses will explain everything you need to know about aftercare and book a post-op check appointment.

🐾 Insurance Claims

We’re happy to help you make an insurance claim. Some insurers use paper forms; others can be completed online.

We only do direct claims in limited circumstances. If you’re hoping to make a direct claim (where your insurer pays us directly), this must be pre-authorised in advance, please contact us beforehand.

💷 Treatment Estimates

You should have received a cost estimate before your pet’s appointment. This is based on our expectations, but it may change depending on the procedure. If we anticipate going significantly over the estimate we will contact you, unless it’s an emergency, in which case we’ll act in your pet’s best interest.

Please speak to us at admission if you have any questions about the estimate.

💬 Need an Update?

We understand that leaving your pet for a procedure can be worrying. If you’d like an update during the day, feel free to send us a message on PetsApp or WhatsApp and we’ll let you know how they’re doing.

You can rest assured they’ll be receiving kind, attentive care from our team.