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

Preanesthetic blood testing is important in reducing the risk of anesthesia. Animal have a much higher incidence of congenital kidney and liver disease than do people.  Every pet needs blood testing before surgery to ensure that the liver and kidneys can handle the anesthetic.  Even 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 an anesthetic or surgical complication.  Animals that have minor dysfunction will handle the anesthetic better if they receive intravenous fluids before surgery.  If serious problems are detected, surgery can be postponed until the problem is corrected.

We offer in-house blood testing before surgery, which we will go over with you when you bring your pet in. For geriatric or ill pets, additional blood tests, electrocardiograms, or x-rays may be required before surgery as well.

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 in the skin.  These will dissolve on their own and do not need to be removed later.  Some surgeries, especially mass removals, do require skin sutures.  With either type of suture, you will need to keep an eye on the incision for swelling or discharge.  Many dogs lick excessively or chew at their incision, so a special elizabethan collar ( the lamp shade) will be necessary for 7 -10 days after surgery.  If there are skin sutures, these will usually be removed 10 to 12 days after surgery.  You will  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.  The type of pain medications needed will depend on the surgery performed.  Major procedures require more pain relief than minor procedures.

All patients are given a pain medication during and after surgery.  Any animal that still appears painful will receive additional pain medications. Providing appropriate pain relief is a humane and caring thing to do for your pet.

What other decisions do I need to make?
While your pet is under anesthesia, it is the ideal time to perform other minor procedures, such as dental prophylaxis, oravet sealant, 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 bringing the pet for surgery is not the primary decision maker for the pet's care.

When you bring your pet in for surgery, we will need to 5 to 10 minutes of time to fill out paperwork.   When you pick up your pet after surgery you can also plan to spend about 10 -15 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.