If your pet is scheduled for a procedure requiring an anesthetic, we recommend you read the following.
Like you, our greatest concern is the well-being of your pet. Before placing your pet under anesthesia, our vets will conduct a physical examination to identify existing clinically detectable medical conditions that could complicate the procedure and compromise the health of your pet.
Admission
Your vet will advise you what time to bring your pet in on the day of surgery, generally between 8am and 9am. Please ensure that they have had no food after 8pm the night before surgery although water should be made available.
When you arrive, you will be required to fill in a surgical consent form to confirm the procedure for your pet and for you to provide us with your contact details for the day. Please ensure to always be available on your contact number so that the vets can call you if necessary.
We recommend a blood test be performed before all anesthetics, and especially for older patients or those undergoing longer procedures. We also advise intravenous fluid therapy especially if your pet is greater than 8 years old. (See below) If your animal is unwell then fluids will be required for anesthesia to proceed.
We strongly recommend fitting your pet with an Elizabethan collar to prevent him or her from scratching, biting, licking or chewing at wounds, stitches or bandages. If you already have one bring it to the hospital with your pet. Blankets and toys are discouraged as they get soiled and have to go into the wash which means they may not be available at pickup time. We give your pet a pre-medication injection shortly after admission which allows them to settle.
You will be provided with a cost estimate if requested. Please allow about 10-15 minutes to admit your animal into hospital.
Pre-anesthetic testing
Because there is always a possibility that a physical exam alone will not identify all of your pet’s health problems, we recommend a blood test be performed prior to anesthesia. These are very similar to what your own doctor would run if you were to undergo anesthesia yourself. We can often run these tests on the same day your pet’s anesthetic is scheduled.
Reasons to test include:
1. To assure proper kidney and liver function; as they are primarily responsible for anaesthetic metabolism in the body
2. To assure adequate oxygen carrying capacity and ability to fight infection
3. To ensure adequate platelet levels for blood clotting
4. To identify “early warning” signs of major blood and organ dysfunction
5. To compare and/or establish some baseline values to monitor as your pet ages
It is important to understand that a pre-anesthetic profile does not guarantee the absence of anesthetic complications. It will however reduce the risk of complications as well as identify medical conditions at an earlier stage.
Intra-operative intravenous fluid therapy
In addition to performing pre-anesthetic tests, for pets who are older than 6-8 years of age, or for any pet undergoing a long procedure (e.g. dental extractions, orthopaedic surgery), we also recommend placement of an intravenous catheter for fluid therapy to be administered throughout the procedure.
Reasons for intravenous fluid therapy
1. Supports the liver and the kidneys by preventing a fall in regular blood pressure, this can be more common in an older patient
2. Helps flush toxins out of the body quickly
3. Maintains the body’s hydration when food and water have been restricted prior to anaesthesia
4. Provides readily accessible intravenous access for administration of further medications
Discharge from Hospital
We request that you call the hospital at about 4pm to check on your animal. The nurse will advise you of your pet’s progress and book a time for you to collect them. This is usually after 4pm, although we are open later so it is possible to collect your animal at a time up to 7pm if required (weeknights only). Most pets go home the same day of surgery. Some need to stay overnight and this can be discussed with the vet. You will be given an appointment time to see one of the vets or a nurse and to discuss the care of any wounds, sutures or bandages, as well as when to return to have these changed or removed.
Please don’t hesitate to ask one of our friendly staff if you have any questions or concerns.
