What You Need to Know Before Your Pet's Upcoming Surgery

Many people have questions about various aspects of their pet's surgery, and we hope this information will help.  It also explains the decisions you will need to make before your pet's upcoming surgery.

Is the anesthetic safe?

Today's modern anesthetic monitors have made surgery much safer than in the past.  Here at Washington Square Veterinary Clinic, we do a thorough physical exam on your pet before administering anesthetics, to ensure that a fever or other illness won't be a problem.  We also adjust the amount and type of anesthetic used depending on the health of your pet.

State of the art equipment is utilized by a dedicated surgery technician to insure that your pet's vital signs are constantly monitored from the start of the procedure until your pet is awake and responsive.  This concern for patient care is a hallmark of Washington Square Veterinary Clinic.

Preanesthetic blood testing is important in reducing the risk of anesthesia.  Every pet needs blood testing before surgery to ensure that the liver and kidneys can handle the anesthetic.  Even apparently young, apparently healthy, animals can have serious organ system problems that cannot be detected without blood testing.  If there is a problem, it is much better to find it before it causes anesthetic or surgical complications.  Animals that have minor dysfunction will handle the anesthetic better if the issue is detected and if proper compensatory steps are taken.  If serious problems are detected, surgery can be postponed until the problem is corrected.

We offer several levels of in-house pre-operative evaluations.  For young, healthy animals we generally recommend a basic profile that screens liver and kidney problems as well as testing for infection, anemia, and diabetes.  For geriatric, ill, or otherwise higher risk patients, a more comprehensive blood profile, ECGs, or x-rays may be warranted before surgery, as well.

Perhaps the most important step we take to ensure the safety of your pet during general anesthesia is the placement of an IV catheter prior to surgery.  This not only enables us to administer IV fluids routinely to keep your pet's hydration and blood pressure stable, but it provides us with direct and immediate access to your pet's cardiovascular system in case of emergency medications are required and seconds count.

It is important that surgery be done on an empty stomach to reduce the risk of vomiting during and after anesthesia.  You will need to withhold food for at least 8 to 10 hours before surgery.  Water can be left down for the pet until the morning of surgery.

Will my pet have stitches?

For many surgeries, we use absorbable sutures underneath the skin.  These will dissolve on their own, and do not need to be removed later.  Some surgeries, especially tumor removals, do require skin stitches or staples.  With either type of suture, you will need to keep an eye on the incision for swelling or discharge.  Most dogs and cats do not lick excessively or chew at the incision, but this is an occasional problem you will also need to watch for.  If there are skin sutures, these will usually be removed 10 to 14 days after surgery.  You will also need to limit your pet's activity level for a time and no baths are allowed for the first 10 days after surgery.

Will my pet be in pain?

Anything that causes pain in people can be expected to cause pain in animals.  Pets may not show the same symptoms of pain as people do; they usually don't whine or cry, but you can be sure they feel it.  Pain medications needed will depend on the surgery performed.  Major procedures require more pain relief than things like minor lacerations.

For dogs and cats we routinely give an analgesic injection before and during surgery, as well as additional, post-operative, medication if needed.  Depending on the case, we may send oral anti-inflammatories or analgesics home to decrease the chance of discomfort or swelling.  In many cases we use local lidocaine nerve blocks, and for the most invasive procedures, narcotic patches are used, as well.  As you can tell, we are dedicated to providing your pet's health care in the most humane and caring way possible.

What else do I need to know?

While your pet is under anesthesia, it is the ideal time to perform other minor procedures, such as dentistry, ear cleaning, or implanting an identification microchip.  If you would like an estimate for these extra services, please call ahead of time.  This is especially important if the person dropping the pet off for surgery is not the primary decision maker for the pet's care.

When you bring your pet in for surgery, we will need 5 to 10 minutes of your time to fill out paperwork and make decisions on the blood testing and other options available.  When you pick up your pet after surgery you can also plan to spend about 10 minutes to go over your pet's home care needs.

We will call you the night before your scheduled surgery appointment, to confirm the time you will be dropping your pet off and to answer any questions you might have.  In the meantime, please don't hesitate to call us with any questions about your pet's health or surgery.