Dear Client,
Your pet has been scheduled for an upcoming surgery in the near future. In our attempt to assist clients, we have put together this package to make surgery day as easy and stress free as possible.
On your pet’s surgery day, you will be required to review and sign an Authorization/Estimate Form and Anesthesia Consent Form which in some cases will allow you to choose optional services. We also will ask for a phone number(s) where you can be reached surgery day. Failure to be reached on the day of the procedure may result in postponement of the surgery.
The night before your pet’s surgery, we ask that you withhold all food and treats after 10:00pm (except for exotics like small mammals, reptiles, birds, etc). Water may be left down after this time period. If you are currently administering any medications, vitamins and/or injections, withhold the morning doses unless otherwise instructed by the doctor.
The morning of surgery, the pet should be dropped off between 8:30 – 9:00am unless other arrangements have been made in advance. At the time of drop off, our team members will be happy to answer any remaining questions or concerns and then will go over and collect the Authorization/Estimate Form and Anesthesia Consent Form that you have completed. A veterinary nurse will then escort your pet to the surgical prepping area to wait for their surgery. If you have elected to have any of the recommended blood tests performed, the nurse will collect the blood sample and have the tests done prior to the start of surgery. If any questions arise, the doctor may contact you at the number you have left for us.
Surgeries are normally performed between 12:00pm and 2:00pm. You are welcome to check up on your pet’s status, however, we request that you call after 3:00pm to allow plenty of time for your pet’s procedure to be done. At this time, we will be able to give you an idea when your pet may be discharged. In most cases, a nurse will call you right after surgery. Remember, on any given day there are multiple patients scheduled for surgery. It is the surgeon’s option to determine to the order in which each will be performed.
When you arrive to take your pet home, the receptionist will go over the charges and bill you out and the veterinary nurse will go over all discharge orders verbally and give you a written copy. If you do not understand any instructions, please do not hesitate to ask them to go over them one more time.
We hope surgery day will be a pleasant experience. Remember, the All Creatures Veterinary Care Center team knows surgery can be an anxious time and we are always available to answer any and all questions concerning the upcoming procedure.
We look forward to serving you and your pet on the upcoming surgery day and years to come.
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY.
Anesthetic Procedures and Risks.
At All Creatures Veterinary Care Center, we use a combination of pre-anesthetic medications and injectable and/or inhalant anesthetics to achieve optimum levels of anesthesia that are safe for your pet.
For most procedures, your pet is anesthetized with an injection and then intubated (insertion of a tube into the trachea or wind pipe). This will ensure that your pet is able to receive oxygen at all times and prevents aspiration of any fluids into the lungs. For procedures that require minimum sedation, an injectable anesthetic is given that produces a good plane of sedation with quick recovery.
Anesthesia is maintained with a gas anesthetic, Isoflurane, which is very safe and is not metabolized by the body. This allows us to have more control over anesthetic depth and it is less irritating to the airways.
Monitoring and Pain Management
Monitoring of patients during anesthesia is done in two ways. First, a veterinary nurse is with your pet continuously from beginning of anesthesia to recovery. Second, we have a computerized monitor that records heart rate, pulse rate, oxygen levels, respiration, ECG, blood pressure. We also monitor core body and rectal temperature.
Our clinic strongly believes in compassionate, quality, medical care for our patients. As a result, all surgery patients will receive pain management before, during and after surgery. Additionally, pain medication may be prescribed to go home.
Additional information will be given to you at discharge. We hope this program will reduce any discomfort experienced by your pet and aid in a quicker recovery.
Intravenous Catheterization and Fluids
We highly recommend the placement of an IV catheter and use of IV fluids during all anesthetic procedures. This allows us to have quick, available access to the circulatory system (blood) in case of an unforeseen emergency. The fluids help provide support to the circulatory system, prevents dehydration and aids in a quicker recovery from anesthesia.
Potential Surgical Complications
Although rare the following complications should be noted:
Canine and Feline Spay 1. Bleeding 2. Infection 3. Recurrent Heat 4. Urinary Incontinence 5. Weight Gain 6. Suture Reactions
Canine and Feline Alter 1. Bleeding 2. Infection 3. Testicular Swelling 4. Suture Reaction (Canine Only)
Tumor/Lump Removal
1. Bleeding 2. Infection 3. Swelling and Drainage 4. Suture Reaction
It is important for you to understand that there is always a risk of anesthetic and surgical complications anytime these procedures are performed. At All Creatures Veterinary Care Center, we strive to take the highest quality care of your pet and take all the added precautions you allow to avoid potential problems. Thank you for entrusting your pet to us.
