Preparing Your Pet for Surgery at CARTMAN
When your pet needs to undergo surgery, we know it can be a worrying time. Ensuring they are well-prepared can make the process smoother and help ease your mind. This guide will help you understand the steps and considerations involved in preparing your pet for surgery, ensuring a smooth and safe process.
Pre Anesthesia Evaluation
Before the surgery, a pre anesthetic evaluation is conducted to assess your pet's overall health. This includes a physical examination, reviewing the medical history including checking for any previous anesthesia experiences, current medications, and conducting necessary laboratory tests. The pre anesthesia checkup helps in planning the anesthetic management, ensuring that the right drugs and techniques are used based on your pet’s physical status and any co morbidities like diabetes mellitus or hypertension. This helps our team understand any potential risks and ensures that your pet is fit for the procedure.
Laboratory Tests and Physical Examination
To accurately assess your pet's health, we perform several blood tests such as a complete blood count (CBC) to check for any underlying issues. These tests can diagnose conditions like kidney problems or abnormalities in white blood count that could complicate surgery. The pre anesthesia assessment also involves measuring your pet's blood pressure, fluid status, and checking for any signs of chest pain or abnormal heart sounds.
Pre-Surgery Preparations
Here are some important steps to follow:
Follow Vet Instructions: Adhere to any specific instructions given by your vet.
Fasting: Ensure your pet fasts for the recommended period before surgery.
Hydration: Make sure your pet is well-hydrated.
Previous Anesthesia Experiences: Inform your vet about any past anesthesia experiences your pet has had.
Current Medications: Provide a list of any current medications your pet is taking.
Lung and Heart Check: The vet will check lung and heart sounds to rule out any medical problems.
The Day of Surgery
On the day of the planned surgery, bring your pet to the hospital with all relevant medical history documents. The doctor will conduct a final physical examination and ensure all preanesthesia assessments are completed.
Challenges in Treating Stray Animals
At CARTMAN, we also treat stray animals that often do not have any medical history. This presents unique challenges as our team must rely heavily on thorough physical examinations and laboratory tests to assess their health. In these situations it becomes all the more important for extensive laboratory tests and imaging if necessary to get the information we need prior to surgery. Despite these challenges, our goal is to provide the highest standard of care. We use advanced anesthesia services and perioperative care practices to ensure the safety and well-being of stray animals undergoing treatment at our facility.
Post-Surgery Care
After the surgery, it’s vital to monitor your pet’s recovery closely. The perioperative care includes managing pain and ensuring your pet is comfortable. Follow the doctor’s instructions for post-surgery care, including medication schedules and any necessary dietary adjustments.
By following these guidelines and understanding the steps involved, you can help ensure your pet's surgery at CARTMAN is as safe and stress-free as possible. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact our team. Your pet’s health and well-being are our top priorities.
Commonly Asked Questions
-
Blood tests are crucial to identify any underlying health issues that might affect white blood counts, diagnose kidney function, and ensure your pet is fit for anesthesia.
-
Bring your pet’s complete medical history, any current medications, and ensure they have followed the fasting instructions.
-
Our team uses advanced monitoring equipment to track your pet’s vital signs, including blood pressure, fluid status, and lung sounds throughout the procedure.
-
Post-surgery, your pet will receive perioperative care to manage pain and aid in recovery. Follow the post-surgery care instructions provided by the vet for the best outcomes.
Suggested Articles
