What You Need to Know Before Your Pet's Upcoming Surgery.

Many clients 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 ANESTHESIA SAFE?
Today's modern anesthetic monitors have made surgery much safer than in the past.  Here at Prairie Veterinary Associates, we perform a thorough physical exam of your pet before administering anesthetics to ensure that a fever or other illness won't be a problem.  Preanesthetic blood testing is also an important part in reducing the risk of anesthesia.  Blood testing is necessary for every pet prior to surgery to ensure that the liver, kidneys and other body systems are functioning properly and can handle the anesthetic.  Even apparently healthy animals can have serious organ system problems that cannot be detected without blood testing.  If there is a problem, it is 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.

An IV catheter and fluid therapy are used for all surgeries as another way to ensure the safety of your pet.  This aids us in maintaining blood pressure and allows us to quickly administer emergency medications should complications arise.  For geriatric or ill patients, additional diagnostics such as blood tests, ultrasound or x-rays may be required before surgery.  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 sutures.  With either type of suture, you will need to monitor the incision for swelling or discharge.  Most dogs and cats do not lick excessively or chew at their incision, but this is an occasional problem you will also need to watch for.  If there are skin sutures or staples placed, these will usually be removed 10 to 14 days after surgery.  You will also need to limit your pet's activity level during the healing process and no baths are allowed for the first 10 days after surgery.

We also use a surgical laser for all surgeries.  Laser energy seals the nerve endings and blood vessels as it moves through tissue.  The surgical laser is used to incise the skin and subcutaneous tissue with minimal bleeding, less swelling and less post-operative pain.

WILL MY PET BE IN PAIN?

Pain medication is administered for all surgical procedures.  A preanesthetic injection is administered prior to surgery that helps sedate your pet, reduce stress and offer pain control.  Depending on the procedure, local nerve blocks can aid in additional pain control without increasing anesthesia.  Oral pain medications can be sent home to provide continuous pain relief. 

WHAT OTHER DECISIONS WILL 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 let us know.  It is important that the primary caregiver or person(s) responsible for decision making arrive at the check-in appointment.  When you bring your pet in for surgery, we will need 5 to 10 minutes of your time to fill out paperwork and answer any questions you may have.  When you pick up your pet after surgery you can also plan to spend about 10 minutes to discuss your pet's home care needs.

We will call you the night before your pet's scheduled surgery appointment to confirm the time you will be checking in.  In the meantime, please don't hesitate to call us with any questions about your pet's health or surgery.