Surgery

When your pet is scheduled for surgery you should drop him or her off between 7:30 and 8:30 am. At that time the doctor will do a physical exam and discuss surgical options for your pet. For most young and healthy pets the following procedures are recommended but optional for improved safety and comfort during and after surgery.

Preoperative Blood Work:

A physical exam alone does not allow us to know how your pet’s organs are functioning. This simple test prior to anesthesia and surgery gives us a quick look at kidney and liver function, blood glucose levels, protein levels and a red blood cell count. By knowing these values we are better able to identify potential complications and reduce anesthetic risk prior to anesthetizing your pet.

Post Operative Pain Control:

It is well known that our pets experience pain when they have surgery. We also know that our pets will recover more quickly from surgery if their pain is well managed. We are able to provide pain control in the form of injectable medications with surgery. Some pets also benefit from oral pain medication administered at home for extended pain management.

Intravenous Catheters and Intravenous Fluids:

Catheters: Placement of an intravenous catheter prior to anesthesia allows us to respond immediately to any changes or problems that arise during anesthesia. Although we can place a catheter during anesthesia if an emergency arises, valuable time may be lost.

Fluids: When your pet is under anesthesia they are at increased risk of dehydration, low blood pressure and inadequate blood flow to their internal organs. To minimize these and other potential complications we can administer IV fluids via the IV catheter during anesthesia and surgery. IV fluids also help your pet have a smoother, more comfortable and rapid recovery from anesthesia.

Laser Surgery:

Surgical incisions are traditionally made with a scalpel blade. This technique can be replaced with a state of the art laser surgery unit. The laser will cauterize nerve endings and blood vessels as it cuts. This minimizes pain and bleeding during surgery and improves healing and recovery rates after surgery.

Surgery/Anesthesia Drop Off Instructions:

• No food after 8pm the night before surgery for most dogs and cats
• Water should be available for your pet until he or she is dropped off
• Surgery check in, with your pet, between 7:30 and 8:30 am
• Allow 15 minutes for surgery check in (paperwork and visit with veterinarian)