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.  It also explains the decisions you will need to make before your pet's upcoming surgery.

 

 

 

Is the anesthetic safe?

 

  

 

 Today's modern anesthetic monitors have made surgery much safer than in the past.  Here at Groveport Canal Animal Hospital, we do a thorough physical
exam on your pet before administering anesthetics, to ensure that a fever or other illness won't be a problem.  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We also offer pre-surgical blood work, run on our in house equipment, to evaluate major organs prior to anesthesia. Even apparently healthy animals can have serious organ system problems that cannot be detected without blood testing.  If there is a problem, it is much better to
find it before it causes anesthetic or surgical complications.  If serious problems are detected, surgery can be postponed until the problem is corrected. 

                                                           

       

 


 

 

We recommend all surgery patients have an intravenous catheter placed for fluid administration before, during, and after surgery.  I.V. fluids help maintain patient's hydration and blood pressure, thus making surgery even safer.  I.V. catheters are usually placed in the front leg. 

 

                                                      

        


 

 

 

During your pet's procedure, a technician monitors your pet's vital signs.  Every patient is also monitored with an blood oxygen saturation monitor, EKG, and blood pressure monitor. We also adjust the amount and type of anesthetic used depending on the health of your pet. 

                                                                                

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

Will my pet have stitches?

 

For many surgeries, we use absorbable 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 your pet starts to lick at the incision, we may send home an Elizabethan collar.  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-inflamatory 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 can be given even the morning of surgery.  Pain medications are included in the cost of all routine spays and neuters.

 

Never use over-the-counter pain medications as they can be dangerous!



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 dentistry, 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.  All patients recieve an ear cleaning and nail trim while under anesthesia.

 

When you bring your pet in for surgery, we will need to 10 to 15 minutes of time to fill out paperwork and make decisions on the blood testing and other options available.  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 checking your pet in and to answer any questions you might have.  In the meantime, please don't hesitate to call us with any questions about your pet's health or surgery.