Surgery
What You Need to Know Before Your Pet's Upcoming Surgery
Many people have questions about various aspects of their pet's surgery, and we hope this information will help.
Is the anesthetic safe?
All of our patients undergoing general anesthesia for surgery are monitored cautiously from start of the procedure through recovery. Since we are AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) accredited, we are required to uphold a very high standard of care. All of the pets prior to anesthesia are evaluated by a veterinarian, have bloodwork and possibly urinalysis performed, and have a intravenous catheter placed prior to anesthesia. Intravenous fluids are provided for all of our anesthetized patients. For all of our anesthetized patients we monitor and record blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, pulse oximetry, and continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) to ensure the well being of your pet. We emphasize pain management, patient safety, and understand our surgical limitations which ensures you pet receives the best care possible. We understand that anesthesia can be scary and we are available to answer whatever questions you have prior to the procedure.
Will my pet have stitches?
For many surgeries, we use absorb able sutures underneath the skin. These will dissolve on their own, and do not need to be removed later. Some surgeries, especially tumor removals, do require skin stitches. With either type of suture, you will need to keep an eye on the incision for swelling or discharge. Most dogs and cats do not lick excessively or chew at the incision, but this is an occasional problem you will also need to watch for. If there are skin sutures, these will usually be removed 10 to 14 days after surgery. You will also need to limit your pet's activity level for a time and no baths are allowed for the first 10 days after surgery.
Will my pet be in pain?
Anything that causes pain in people can be expected to cause pain in animals. Pets may not show the same symptoms of pain as people do; they usually don't whine or cry, but you can be sure they feel it. Pain medications needed will depend on the surgery performed. Major procedures require more pain relief than things like minor lacerations.
For dogs, we may recommend an oral anti-inflammatory the day after surgery and several days after to lessen the risk of discomfort and swelling. We use newer medications, which are less likely to cause stomach upset and damage to the liver and kidneys. These can be given even the morning of surgery. Never give your dog anything for pain that has not been prescribed by or discussed with a veterinarian. Common human pain medications are very toxic to dogs.
Because cats do not tolerate standard pain medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or Tylenol, we are limited in what we can give them. Recent advances in pain medications have allowed for better pain control in cats than ever before. After surgery, pain medication is given on a case by case basis. Any animal that appears painful will receive additional pain medication.
Injectable pain medications may also be used after surgery on both dogs and cats. Providing whatever pain relief is appropriate is a humane and caring thing to do for your pet.
What other decisions do I need to make?
While your pet is under anesthesia, it is the ideal time to perform other minor procedures, such as ear cleaning, or implanting an identification microchip. If you would like an estimate for these extra services, please call ahead of time. This is especially important if the person dropping the pet off for surgery is not the primary decision maker for the pet's care.
When you bring your pet in for surgery, we will need to 5 to 10 minutes of time to fill out paperwork and discuss the treatment plan and answer questions. In addition to answering any questions that arise, we will provide you with a detailed estimate for services. When you pick up your pet after surgery you can also plan to spend about 10 minutes to go over your pet's home care needs.
We will call you the day before your scheduled surgery appointment, to confirm the time you will be dropping your pet off and to answer any questions you might have. It is important that surgery be done on an empty stomach to reduce the risk of vomiting during and after anesthesia. You will need to withhold food for at least 8 to 10 hours before surgery. Water can be left down for the pet until the morning of surgery.
Your pet's health is monitored before, during and after the surgery by our caring and compassionate staff. Once he or she is ready to go home, we will review your postoperative care and medication instructions with you. If at any time after you have returned home with your pet and a question arises, please do not hesitate to call us. We are available to help you feel more comfortable with your decision to provide surgical care for your pet.
Many people have questions about various aspects of their pet's surgery, and we hope this information will help.
Is the anesthetic safe?
All of our patients undergoing general anesthesia for surgery are monitored cautiously from start of the procedure through recovery. Since we are AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) accredited, we are required to uphold a very high standard of care. All of the pets prior to anesthesia are evaluated by a veterinarian, have bloodwork and possibly urinalysis performed, and have a intravenous catheter placed prior to anesthesia. Intravenous fluids are provided for all of our anesthetized patients. For all of our anesthetized patients we monitor and record blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, pulse oximetry, and continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) to ensure the well being of your pet. We emphasize pain management, patient safety, and understand our surgical limitations which ensures you pet receives the best care possible. We understand that anesthesia can be scary and we are available to answer whatever questions you have prior to the procedure.
Will my pet have stitches?
For many surgeries, we use absorb able sutures underneath the skin. These will dissolve on their own, and do not need to be removed later. Some surgeries, especially tumor removals, do require skin stitches. With either type of suture, you will need to keep an eye on the incision for swelling or discharge. Most dogs and cats do not lick excessively or chew at the incision, but this is an occasional problem you will also need to watch for. If there are skin sutures, these will usually be removed 10 to 14 days after surgery. You will also need to limit your pet's activity level for a time and no baths are allowed for the first 10 days after surgery.
Will my pet be in pain?
Anything that causes pain in people can be expected to cause pain in animals. Pets may not show the same symptoms of pain as people do; they usually don't whine or cry, but you can be sure they feel it. Pain medications needed will depend on the surgery performed. Major procedures require more pain relief than things like minor lacerations.
For dogs, we may recommend an oral anti-inflammatory the day after surgery and several days after to lessen the risk of discomfort and swelling. We use newer medications, which are less likely to cause stomach upset and damage to the liver and kidneys. These can be given even the morning of surgery. Never give your dog anything for pain that has not been prescribed by or discussed with a veterinarian. Common human pain medications are very toxic to dogs.
Because cats do not tolerate standard pain medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or Tylenol, we are limited in what we can give them. Recent advances in pain medications have allowed for better pain control in cats than ever before. After surgery, pain medication is given on a case by case basis. Any animal that appears painful will receive additional pain medication.
Injectable pain medications may also be used after surgery on both dogs and cats. Providing whatever pain relief is appropriate is a humane and caring thing to do for your pet.
What other decisions do I need to make?
While your pet is under anesthesia, it is the ideal time to perform other minor procedures, such as ear cleaning, or implanting an identification microchip. If you would like an estimate for these extra services, please call ahead of time. This is especially important if the person dropping the pet off for surgery is not the primary decision maker for the pet's care.
When you bring your pet in for surgery, we will need to 5 to 10 minutes of time to fill out paperwork and discuss the treatment plan and answer questions. In addition to answering any questions that arise, we will provide you with a detailed estimate for services. When you pick up your pet after surgery you can also plan to spend about 10 minutes to go over your pet's home care needs.
We will call you the day before your scheduled surgery appointment, to confirm the time you will be dropping your pet off and to answer any questions you might have. It is important that surgery be done on an empty stomach to reduce the risk of vomiting during and after anesthesia. You will need to withhold food for at least 8 to 10 hours before surgery. Water can be left down for the pet until the morning of surgery.
Your pet's health is monitored before, during and after the surgery by our caring and compassionate staff. Once he or she is ready to go home, we will review your postoperative care and medication instructions with you. If at any time after you have returned home with your pet and a question arises, please do not hesitate to call us. We are available to help you feel more comfortable with your decision to provide surgical care for your pet.