Pre-surgical information
At Kindler Animal Hospital, we take several precautions to make anesthesia as safe as possible, starting before the patient ever walks in the building.
Fear Free principles are helpful for surgical patients
One of our goals in following Fear Free guidelines is to decrease the amount of fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS) your pet feels when they come in for their procedure. This is why we prescribe pre-visit pharmaceuticals (PVP) for anxiety, pain and nausea for you to give before surgery. If a pet is more comfortable and relaxed, they may require less anesthesia. PVP helps prevent nausea from anesthesia, reducing the risk of aspiration. Recent studies also show that the pre-operative use of the nausea medication in PVP, Cerenia, can help pets have a smoother anesthetic recovery.
How do we reduce the risks of anesthesia?
The doctor will perform a physical examination the day of surgery. She will develop an anesthesia plan and pain management strategy tailored to your pet.
Pre-anesthetic blood work and ECG screening is standard at our clinic. The blood work checks organs that are vital in dealing with anesthesia. The ECG is transmitted to a telemedicine service. If there are any abnormalities, a board-certified cardiologist will evaluate it and determine if anesthesia is appropriate for your pet.
All surgery patients will have an IV catheter placed. IV fluids are administered to maintain blood pressure, support kidney function, and prevent dehydration.
An endotracheal tube will be placed in your pet’s throat to deliver oxygen and anesthesia into your pet’s lungs. It also allows us to protect your pet’s airway and assist with their breathing as needed.
Advanced anesthesia monitors are used to check your pet’s body temperature, ECG, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and carbon dioxide levels. A veterinary technician stays by your pet’s side to keep track of these readings and adjust their anesthesia as needed.
What should I do to prepare my pet for surgery?
Please pick up your pet’s pre-visit pharmaceuticals before surgery and give it as directed.
Please take away your pet’s food by midnight before surgery. Water can be available until the time they leave home for the hospital.
What should I expect after surgery?
We keep them warm during their recovery and adjust their pain management as needed to keep them comfortable. A surgical assistant monitors them until they are stable.
Most pets go home the evening of surgery. In some cases, your pet may be hospitalized overnight. We will keep you updated on your pet until they are ready to go home.
A staff member will go over post-op instructions when your pet is ready to be discharged.
Since sensitivities to anesthesia vary, some pets may be more sedate or groggy than others for 24 hours or longer. This is especially true for older pets.