ADVICE FOR PATIENTS HAVING ANAESTHETIC/SURGICAL PROCEDURES
- Withhold all food from 8pm the previous evening. Water should be left available overnight.
- Admissions are between 9.00-9.30am on the day of your pet’s operation
- Take dogs out before arrival to allow time for toileting. Ensure dogs are clean and dry
- Dogs must be brought in on a secure collar and lead and cats in a basket
- Please mention any signs of ill health or other unusual signs
- Dogs will need transport to return home. For large dogs, a blanket sling may be helpful if stairs or steps are to be negotiated.
GENERAL PROCEDURES
This is an ideal time to check such routine items as teeth, ears, nails, anal sacs etc. and give any attention that may be appropriate. This is normally done when time allows, but sometimes it may be necessary to allow the patient to recover as quickly as possible. Please discuss this with the nurse or veterinary surgeon on admission.
ANAESTHESIA
Having your pet undergo a general anaesthetic can be a very worrying time. All anaesthetics carry some risk to the patient as with human anaesthetics. We have tried to minimise these risks as much as possible by using the safest anaesthetic agents and techniques, so your pet will recover quicker and with less ‘hangover’.
One of our vets or nurses will admit your pet and may advise a Pre-op blood test to check some basic metabolic functions, depending on the animal’s age and previous history. You will then sign a consent form before you leave your pet with us. They will be given a pre-medication to relax them and start their pain relief before their procedure.
You will be asked to contact the surgery in the early afternoon. You will be given home care instructions and any medication by the nurse or vet. We will usually make you an appointment 2 days later for a free of charge post-op check .
If you have any concerns or questions about your animal’s operation or procedure, please do not hesitate to call the surgery and let us put your mind at rest.