Anesthesia

Many pets require at least one anesthetic procedure in their lives. We use the most current protocols recommended by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA); however, similar to human medicine, anesthesia does have risks. Our veterinarians carefully screen each patient prior to any anesthetic procedure to ensure the safest possible experience for your pet.

Starting with a physical exam the day of surgery, your pet’s doctor will listen to their heart and lungs and palpate their abdomen looking for any abnormalities. Next, we will perform an electrocardiogram (ECG) to verify there are no atypical rhythms that are not detectible by stethoscope. Finally, we will check their blood for any unusual values that could cause problems under anesthesia. Once the doctor has verified that all of these are normal, we proceed with your pet’s surgery.

To further help reduce risks during surgery, we will place an intravenous (IV) catheter and supply your pet with fluids to keep them hydrated during and after their procedure, which in turn keeps their blood pressure under control. This catheter also gives us a port directly into the vein in the event we need to administer emergency medications.

During the recovery phase of your pet’s procedure, they will wake up in a warm and comfortable environment under the watchful eyes of our doctors and technicians. Most patients will go home the evening of their surgery, however some cases do require an overnight hospitalization. Feel free to bring food from home or a special blanket or toy so your pet feels more comfortable during their stay. We encourage pet parents to call and check on their pets at any time during their time with us to keep your mind at ease – we are even able to text or email any photographs you’d like taken during their day.