surgery

Steps in our Surgical Procedures

Pre-surgical Exam
Prior to any anesthetic procedures, a comprehensive physical exam is performed, and your pet’s medical record is thoroughly evaluated to ensure any risks and/or complications are addressed prior to undergoing anesthesia.

Pre-Anesthetic Bloodwork
The purpose of pre-anesthetic bloodwork is to ensure your pet can properly process and eliminate anesthetic agents. All pets are required to have pre-anesthetic blood testing prior to any anesthetic procedure. We tailor each patient’s anesthetic protocol to meet his/her individual needs. The tests can reveal hidden health conditions that could put your pet at risk.

IV Catheter Placement
An IV catheter is placed for administration of intravenous fluids, which are administered during and following the surgery, until the patient has fully recovered from the sedation and anesthesia. The IV catheter is also used to administer short acting anesthetics that allow for the placement of an endotracheal tube (which is known as intubation) in our patients’ airway. The endotracheal tube ensures the patient has a patent airway and protects the respiratory system (the lungs) from any fluids. The endotracheal tube is then connected to an inhalant anesthetic, isoflurane or sevoflurane gas, which is designed to maintain a safe plane of anesthesia.

Anesthesia and Anesthesia Monitoring: Every patient is closely monitored at ALL times while under anesthesia by a highly trained technician. We monitor heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, CO2 levels with capnography, continuous ECG, body temperature and depth of anesthesia the entire time your pet is under anesthesia and during recovery. Each pet is placed on a Hot Dog body warming unit to maintain adequate body temperature. This is the same equipment used when humans undergo anesthesia and surgical procedures.

Recovery
Following surgery, your pet is moved from the surgical ward to recovery, where our staff continues to monitor their vital signs. Once awake, your pet’s temperature, pulse and respiration rates are again measured to ensure recovery is proceeding as anticipated. Your doctor or surgical technician will contact you at this time with a surgical progress report and update you on how your pet is doing following anesthesia. Most patients are released to go home on the same day. The doctor will evaluate your pet’s progress and determine an appropriate time to release your pet for home recuperation.

Laser Therapy
Laser therapy treatments are applied to the incision site for most surgeries to assist with pain reduction and recovery time. Photo biomodulation therapy occurs when a dose of light energy reaches target tissue and results in decreased inflammation, decreased pain, and accelerated healing. This doctor-prescribed, technician-driven modality effectively treats a wide variety of conditions including pre-surgical, post-surgical, acute, and chronic disease states.

Post-op Pain Medication
When we release your pet to recuperate at home, pain medication is provided if needed to help ease discomfort. At the time your pet is released, you will receive instructions for at home care and medication administration, as well as what to watch for during your pet’s continued recovery. If follow-up visits or suture removal is needed, your pet will be scheduled to return in 7-14 days.