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

As accredited members of the American Animal Hospital Association, we strive to provide all our patients and their humans with exemplary service and the most up-to-date level of care possible. We recognize the anxiety you feel when your friend requires an anesthetic procedure and want you to be aware of the efforts we make to maximize their safety and comfort.

Here's what to expect...

1. We require that you withhold food 12 hours prior to your pet’s scheduled procedure. Water is allowed until morning, but no food after 10 PM. The day before the procedure we will remind you with a phone call.
2. All patients should arrive between 8:00 AM. – 8:30 AM. Mornings are busy for all of us. Please allow adequate time to fill out the required paper work and for us to address your questions and concerns.
3. All patients are required to have pre-surgical blood work. This benefits your pet in many ways. The anesthetic drugs and the pain medications we use pre- and post-op are metabolized either by the liver or the kidneys. In the event either of these organs is compromised, we would modify our protocol accordingly. Abnormalities in blood work in both young and geriatric animals are often the first indication of an underlying problem that could result in a surgical complication.
4. Here at Melrose Animal Clinic, we do a thorough physical exam on your pet before administering anesthetics, to ensure that a fever or other illness won't cause a problem.  We also adjust the amount and type of anesthetic used depending on the health of your pet. 
5. The management of pain in veterinary medicine has advanced greatly over the last few years. The use of preemptive pain medication is far more effective than to use the same medication after surgery. Prior to the induction of anesthesia, patients are pre-medicated with drugs that act on the central nervous system to block the perception of pain. These drugs offer the patient a significant reduction in pain and discomfort when combined with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications used during and post surgery. 
6. Surgical technicians monitor blood pressure and body temperature throughout the procedure and recovery period, and all patients are supported with intravenous catheters and fluids. Pulse Oximeters are used to continually evaluate the patient’s heart rate and oxygenation during anesthesia. ECG as well as CO2  and respiratory monitors are also used as indicated.
7. Bair Hugger Warm Air Blankets and Gaymar Warm Water Circulating Blankets help minimize the loss of body heat to prevent hypothermia, which is associated with prolonged recovery times.
8. Patients are usually discharged between 4:00 PM. and 6:00 PM. The doctor will call you once your pet is in recovery to discuss the specifics and arrange a discharge appointment. This appointment allows us time to answer any questions you may have and to review the written home care instructions. 

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.  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.

At the Melrose Animal Clinic, we provide pain management customized to each patient's specific needs.  We strive to have pain-free recoveries for every individual. We use narcotic patches for some surgeries  as well.  Injectable pain medications may also be used after surgery on both dogs and cats as well as oral medications to be administered at home.  Providing whatever pain relief is appropriate is a humane and caring thing to do for your pet.

What else do I need to know?

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.