Our veterinary team takes every precaution so that your pet receives the highest-quality care.
We perform a physical exam to check your pet’ hydration, heart, lungs, temperature and blood pressure prior to the procedure.
We always strongly recommend pre-anesthetic testing before general anesthesia or surgery. Why do we recommend pre-anesthetic bloodwork? Such testing helps make sure that your pet’s organs are healthy enough for the procedure. A biochemistry blood test evaluates your pet’s body to make sure their liver and kidneys can properly process the medications/drugs your pet needs for the procedure. Whereas, a CBC ( complete blood count) helps us determine if your pet has enough red blood cells to properly carry oxygen to your pet’s organs during anesthesia. In some instances the veterinarian will recommend more detailed blood/urine testing to more thoroughly evaluate your pet’s health prior to a procedure. Such additional testing may be to further evaluate the heart or more detailed liver/kidney testing.
To make any procedure safer and more pleasant for your pet we strongly recommend IV fluids . Why should your pet have IV fluids? Because IV fluids makes any procedure safer by allowing us the ability to adjust fluid rates to deal with blood pressure, to quickly access your pet’s veins to give emergency drugs or supply almost instant pain control. IV fluids also keep your pet feeling better, they stay well hydrated which helps with pain and muscle discomfort. IV fluids also speed up the elimination of the drugs from the body. That means your pet recovers faster and goes home sooner and generally feels better during the whole procedure and during recovery. So to sum it up IV fluids makes the procedure safer and makes your pet feel better!
Before the procedure your pet will receive pain medication and anti-inflammatory medication, and if necessary anti-anxiety medication. For some procedures pre-procedural antibiotics are given. Depending on the procedure your pet may also have local/regional anesthesia or additional pain medication as they require it.
Monitoring! This is very important! During the procedure, a veterinary technician will continually assess your pet’s heart and respiratory rate, blood pressure, temperature and other vital signs to help reduce anesthetic risk. This allows us to address potential issues such as anesthetic depth, pain control, hypothermia, heart rate, breathing rate quickly. The technician will also keep your pet warm and cozy on a heated water pad and by using hot packs and warm blankets.
During recovery, your pet will be monitored by a technician and if necessary by a veterinarian. We will make sure your pet is warm, comfortable, pain and anxiety free. Often all it takes is gentle pats and quiet voices to reassure your pet as they recover.
Once your pet is awake and comfortable one of the veterinary team members will contact you and advise you of your pet’s condition and either confirm their discharge time or adjust the discharge appointment to allow you pet to stay on IV fluids longer or become more steady on their feet before they go home.
If you still have concerns, just ask! We all have pets and we all worry when they are away from us!
Take heart in knowing that while you are worrying your pet is likely sleeping all cocooned in warm blankets and are in a blissful pain medicated sleep. So they are resting comfortably and you are worrying! If you are concerned or worried please call us and ask for an update! We really do care for your pet like we would our own!
