 Your Pet and AnaesthesiaNo anaesthetic
is risk free, but we do everything we can to limit the risk and to reduce the stresses and
strains involved. This leaflet is designed to help you understand how we intend to care
for your pet through each stage of the procedure.
Pre-operative form
Please read the instructions
carefully and ensure that they have been complied with.
Please complete the form and return
it with your pet – this gives us important information and guidance on your own
specific requirements.
Blood screening profiles are not
mandatory, but are recommended for any animal over 10 years of age and will be undertaken
if the veterinary surgeon in charge of your pet’s care believes them to be necessary.
In either case the use of these tests, and the results, will be discussed with you prior
to your pet’s anaesthetic if there are any discrepancies.
Admission to the surgery
When you bring your pet to the
surgery, you will be asked to wait in reception for one of our veterinary nurses.
The nurse will check your
animal’s details and ask you to sign the anaesthetic consent form. Please let the
nurse know of any concerns of specific requests, and ensure that you leave a telephone
number for contact while your pet is with us.
Please allow 15 to 20 minutes for
this process.
Before the anaesthetic
Your pet will be weighed, so that
drug doses can be calculated, and a blood sample taken if required. Then your pet will be
placed in a clean, warm, well-bedded kennel.
The order of surgery for that
morning will have been planned, but we have to allow for emergencies or other procedures
that take priority, so we cannot predict exactly when your pet’s procedure will take
place.
A pre-medication injection is
usually given soon after admittance. The drugs given will be chosen according to each
pet’s individual requirements. The function of the pre-medication is to sedate the
animal, to reduce stress, to reduce the amount of the main anaesthetic agent given, to
ensure a smooth post-operative recovery and to provide pain relief.
Pre-medication takes about half an
hour to work.
The anaesthetic
Your pet is taken into the
operating theatre where general anaesthesia is induced by an injection given into the vein
– the particular agent used will vary according to each animal’s requirements.
Once ‘asleep’, a tube is
placed through the mouth into the windpipe; through this the animal breathes a mixture of
anaesthetic gas and oxygen. We are now using ‘isofluorane’ as our standard
anaesthetic gas. This provides a level of safety and control ahead of other anaesthetic
agents.
During the operation, our
well-trained nurses, using high quality, up-to-date instruments will monitor heart and
breathing rates, blood pressure and blood oxygen levels, under the direction of the
veterinary surgeon.
In some cases, e.g. if the
operation is a lengthy one, or the animal is old or ill, fluids may be given by an
intravenous drip. Extra painkillers will be given if required.
Recovery
At the end of the operation, your
pet is allowed to regain consciousness, and is then placed back in the kennel to recover
fully.
During recovery, a nurse will
carefully monitor your pet.
Once your pet is fully recovered
and is bright, alert, and capable of walking unaided, you will be able to collect him or
her. Please telephone as instructed by the admitting nurse to find out when your pet can
safely go home.
When you collect your pet, you will
be asked to settle your account. A nurse will bring your pet to you, and discuss the
operation with you. She will tell you how you should feed your pet, and what medication,
e.g. painkillers, antibiotics, you will need to give. In non-routine cases, the veterinary
surgeon in charge of your case will telephone you or book an appointment to discuss the
case.
Costs of surgery
We are happy to provide an estimate
for a specific procedure. However each case will be individually assessed and may need
extra materials or medicines that could not be foreseen prior to anaesthesia. Where
possible the veterinary surgeon will discuss these with you. Extra procedures e.g. blood
tests or extra medicines e.g. painkillers will be charged to your account in addition to
the standard fee.
If you have any questions or concerns about your
pet’s anaesthetic or operation, please contact the veterinary surgeon in charge of
your case, or one of our veterinary nurses, to discuss them. |
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