Whether it’s a routine ovariohysterectomy (spay), a castration (neuter) or any other surgery, our doctors and staff here at NAAH know surgery is not a routine thing for you as a pet owner. As a pet owner, it can be scary thinking about your pet going under anesthesia for a surgery, even if they are a healthy candidate. There is no such thing as 100% risk-free anesthesia, but we do go to all lengths possible to help minimize risk and make your pet as comfortable before, during and after their surgery. Below are a few things that we do at NAAH to make your pet’s experience the best possible.
Pre-surgical physical exam: A thorough physical examination to determine any abnormalities will be performed before surgery. Listening for cardiac arrhythmias and murmurs, or abnormal lung sounds will provide useful information regarding preexisting cardiopulmonary disease.
Pre-anesthetic blood panel: The morning of surgery, lab work is performed at NAAH to assess your pet’s general health, making sure that they are not anemic, have proper clotting ability and to evaluate their kidney and liver function.
Pre-surgical pain medication: Before your pet goes under anesthesia, we give them a pain medication to help decrease pain later and to make them recover smoother after their procedure.
Pre-surgical IV catheter placement: NAAH places IV catheters for every surgical procedure. This gives us the ability to administer IV fluids during surgery to help maintain blood pressure, as well as be able to easily administer any additional medications needed during surgery.
Endotracheal intubation: Prior to surgery, your pet is intubated with a tracheal tube, specifically fitted to your pet. This tracheal tube will deliver oxygen and anesthetic gas (isoflurane) to your pet while they are under anesthesia.
Anesthesia monitoring: During surgery, your pet is closely monitored by a dedicated surgical veterinary nurse. Measurements used to monitor the cardiovascular system include heart rate, pulse pressure, mucous membrane color, and capillary refill time. The following is also being constantly measured during your pet’s procedure:
-Direct blood pressure
-ECG to monitor cardiac arrhythmias
-Pulse oximetry to ensure proper oxygenation
-CO2 levels
-Body temperature
Post-procedure recovery phase: After your pet’s surgery, they are taken off gas and will begin to wake slowly and smoothly. They are placed in our treatment area under a warm-air blanket to maintain their body temperature. They are monitored closely until they begin to swallow, prompting the veterinary nurse to remove their endotracheal tube.
Pain management is very important to us at NAAH. In addition to the pre-surgical pain medication, they are given an injection of a pain medication after their surgery to ensure pain management is controlled. Also, they are sent home with four days of an NSAID (anti-inflammatory). We also use a therapeutic laser immediately post-operatively on the surgical incision This is at no additional cost to you.
We use absorbable suture so your pet is less irritated and so you don’t have to bring them back for suture removal!
Any other questions? Feel free to ask!
Here’s Daisy — a sweet Boxer pup that had a tumor removed from her leg a few weeks ago. How about those eyebrows?
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