The Animal Care Center can provide numerous services that will ensure your pet leads a long and healthy life. In order to perform certain surgical procedures, your veterinarian will likely utilize some form of anesthesia. Neutering or spaying for example, are procedures that would require general anethesia. General anesthesia is characterized by a sleep-like state, generalized muscle relaxation, and pain relief.
The Use of multiple drugs will allow your veterinarian to address specific needs of the anesthetized patient. Drugs may be used to calm the patient and reduce anxiety prior to surgery, support the vital function of the heart or lungs, or dcrease salivation. Still other drugs are used to minimze any pain experienced during the proceudre as well as during the recovery period. Virtually all surgical procedures have the potential to cause some degree of pain. Although general anesthesia implies unconsciousness, it is still necessary to include appropriate drugs to provide adequate relief of pain.
Treatment of pain is of particular importance to ensure the well being and health of you pet. Aside from the obvous dicomfort, untreated pain can resuly in a malfunctioning of the heart, intestines, or immune system. Uncontrolled pain can also affect an animal's behavior. Examples of potential behavior changes that may result from untreated pain include depression, inactivity, insomnia, or aggression.
ANESTHETIC OPTIONS
General anesthesia may be accomplished by the use of a number of drugs.
INJECTABLE ANESTHESIA
Certain drugs can be administerd by injection between the layers of the skin, into muscle, or directly into the vein.
INHALANT ANESTHESIA
Drugs are administered by the simple act of breathing.
Your veterinarian may elect to combine injectable and inhalant anesthetics to provide the optimal circumstance for your pet.
PREPARING FOR THE SURGICAL PROCEDURE
The day prior to your pet’s surgery, your veterinarian will provide specific instructions regarding feeding and watering. It is normal to restrict both food and water intake the pervious day. This will help avoiding gastrointestinal upset that may result from the use of certain drugs that the time of surgery.
Your pet may experience some degree of anxiety en route to the veterinary hospital the day of the procedure. It is probably wise to inform the hospital staff of any abnormal behavior observed during the ride. If your pet is particularly apprehensive, discuss the possibility of tranquilization with you veterinarian. Upon entering the veterinary hospital, make sure your pet is adequately restrained on a leash that is attached to an appropriately sized collar. Small dogs and cats should be transported using a suitably sized and ventilated carrier.
To avoid confusion, be specific as to why your pet is being presented. Hospital staff should be informed if your pet was inadvertently fed or watered beyond the time previously suggested. You may receive additional instructions at the time of your pet’s admission to the veterinary hospital. A staff member should be able to help with any last minute questions that you might have. It is very important to leave any telephone numbers where you can be contacted in case of an emergency. Your veterinarian may offer to contact you immediately following the procedure for a progress report.
AFTER SURGERY
Be clear as to when you pet will be discharged form the veterinary hospital, patients discharged soon after surgery will probably appear woozy. Large pets may require assistance to your vehicle. In some instances the surgical may seep a small amount of blood or blood tined fluid. Cover your car’s seats with blankets to prevent staining. Be prepared if you pet is large and requires assistance between your car and the house.
Certain findings may be considered following surgery. If your pet received inhalant anesthesia, you may notice and abnormal odor to its breath. Depending of the age of the patient, a certain degree of inactivity is to be expected following surgery. In general, younger patients will return to normal levels of activity sooner. As with activity level, a corresponding reduction in appetite may occur postoperatively. When in doubt, discuss any abnormal observations with your veterinarian.
In advance, inquire about what observations your veterinarian would constitute as emergencies. Legitimate postsurgical emergencies should be reported immediately regardless of when they are observed. Should the situation arise, ask your veterinarian how to deal with an after hours emergency.
Your veterinarian may dispense mediation to be administered following surgery. Make sure the directions are clear and precise. Report any adverse side effects immediately. Inquire about pain mediation that your veterinarian can dispense. Under no circumstances should pain relievers be given to your pet without first consulting your veterinarian. Certain human medications can be highly toxic if given to your pet.
Follow any restrictions regarding exercise suggested by your veterinarian. Restraint devices such as leashes, carriers, and kennels may aid you in retraining the overly rambunctious pet. A rapid return to normal activity levels may be interpreted as a sign of recovery but can also be injurious to healing wounds.
The Use of multiple drugs will allow your veterinarian to address specific needs of the anesthetized patient. Drugs may be used to calm the patient and reduce anxiety prior to surgery, support the vital function of the heart or lungs, or dcrease salivation. Still other drugs are used to minimze any pain experienced during the proceudre as well as during the recovery period. Virtually all surgical procedures have the potential to cause some degree of pain. Although general anesthesia implies unconsciousness, it is still necessary to include appropriate drugs to provide adequate relief of pain.
Treatment of pain is of particular importance to ensure the well being and health of you pet. Aside from the obvous dicomfort, untreated pain can resuly in a malfunctioning of the heart, intestines, or immune system. Uncontrolled pain can also affect an animal's behavior. Examples of potential behavior changes that may result from untreated pain include depression, inactivity, insomnia, or aggression.
ANESTHETIC OPTIONS
General anesthesia may be accomplished by the use of a number of drugs.
INJECTABLE ANESTHESIA
Certain drugs can be administerd by injection between the layers of the skin, into muscle, or directly into the vein.
INHALANT ANESTHESIA
Drugs are administered by the simple act of breathing.
Your veterinarian may elect to combine injectable and inhalant anesthetics to provide the optimal circumstance for your pet.
PREPARING FOR THE SURGICAL PROCEDURE
The day prior to your pet’s surgery, your veterinarian will provide specific instructions regarding feeding and watering. It is normal to restrict both food and water intake the pervious day. This will help avoiding gastrointestinal upset that may result from the use of certain drugs that the time of surgery.
Your pet may experience some degree of anxiety en route to the veterinary hospital the day of the procedure. It is probably wise to inform the hospital staff of any abnormal behavior observed during the ride. If your pet is particularly apprehensive, discuss the possibility of tranquilization with you veterinarian. Upon entering the veterinary hospital, make sure your pet is adequately restrained on a leash that is attached to an appropriately sized collar. Small dogs and cats should be transported using a suitably sized and ventilated carrier.
To avoid confusion, be specific as to why your pet is being presented. Hospital staff should be informed if your pet was inadvertently fed or watered beyond the time previously suggested. You may receive additional instructions at the time of your pet’s admission to the veterinary hospital. A staff member should be able to help with any last minute questions that you might have. It is very important to leave any telephone numbers where you can be contacted in case of an emergency. Your veterinarian may offer to contact you immediately following the procedure for a progress report.
AFTER SURGERY
Be clear as to when you pet will be discharged form the veterinary hospital, patients discharged soon after surgery will probably appear woozy. Large pets may require assistance to your vehicle. In some instances the surgical may seep a small amount of blood or blood tined fluid. Cover your car’s seats with blankets to prevent staining. Be prepared if you pet is large and requires assistance between your car and the house.
Certain findings may be considered following surgery. If your pet received inhalant anesthesia, you may notice and abnormal odor to its breath. Depending of the age of the patient, a certain degree of inactivity is to be expected following surgery. In general, younger patients will return to normal levels of activity sooner. As with activity level, a corresponding reduction in appetite may occur postoperatively. When in doubt, discuss any abnormal observations with your veterinarian.
In advance, inquire about what observations your veterinarian would constitute as emergencies. Legitimate postsurgical emergencies should be reported immediately regardless of when they are observed. Should the situation arise, ask your veterinarian how to deal with an after hours emergency.
Your veterinarian may dispense mediation to be administered following surgery. Make sure the directions are clear and precise. Report any adverse side effects immediately. Inquire about pain mediation that your veterinarian can dispense. Under no circumstances should pain relievers be given to your pet without first consulting your veterinarian. Certain human medications can be highly toxic if given to your pet.
Follow any restrictions regarding exercise suggested by your veterinarian. Restraint devices such as leashes, carriers, and kennels may aid you in retraining the overly rambunctious pet. A rapid return to normal activity levels may be interpreted as a sign of recovery but can also be injurious to healing wounds.
