Surgery

 

Is There Any Risk With Anesthesia?

While there is always some risk with each anesthetic procedure, new advancements have made anesthesia safer now than it has ever been before.  Gas anesthetics, pre-operative bloodwork, intravenous catheter, improved monitoring, and pain control all improve the safety of anesthesia.  Healthy older animals are not necessarily at increased risk, but they are more likely to develop other medical problems which may complicate anesthesia.  Please speak with a veterinarian for a personalized risk assessment for your pet.

 

Can I Do Anything to Decrease this Risk?

Your veterinarian will ask lots of questions and perform a complete physical examination on the morning of surgery.  Be sure to tell your veterinarian if your pet has a pre-existing medical condition.  Include any medications they have taken in the last week, regardless of if the medication was given just once recently or if he/she has been on the medication for years.  You also need to tell your vet if your pet is taking any vitamins or natural supplements, or if there are any special diet needs.

 

We recommend pre-anesthetic blood tests to help identify any “invisible” conditions that may cause problems under anesthesia.  We also recommend an intravenous (IV) catheter and fluid therapy to help us respond faster should an emergency occur, and to support your pet’s blood pressure while they are asleep.  Because surgical patients are not allowed to eat or drink prior to surgery, they are more likely to be dehydrated.  An IV catheter will help us to keep them hydrated until they feel ready to eat and drink again on their own.

 

We use very safe anesthetic medications, and all of our patients are carefully monitored by Certified Veterinary Technicians while asleep.  We also stay with your pet while they wake up and are constantly assessing and controlling their pain level.

 

What is a Spay?

The spay procedure will prevent your female dog or cat from being able to come into heat or bear puppies and kittens.  Research shows that female dogs that are spayed before their first heat cycle are 95.5% less likely to develop mammary cancer later in life.  With every single heat cycle, the chances of mammary cancer increase until your dog has reached her fourth cycle.  The surgery involves removal of both ovaries and the uterus.  These animals need pain control during and following the surgical procedure.  We recommend spaying for all female dogs and cats unless they are registered pure-bred animals and you are an experienced breeder. 

 

Breeding is complicated and should be done by someone who knows the breed.  You will need to understand genetics and how to prevent problems from being passed from one generation to the next.  You will also need to know how to care properly for the mother in case of an emergency and how to raise the babies until they are old enough to go to a new home.  Responsible breeding is expensive and time-consuming, and should be viewed as a hobby rather than a good way to make money.  Every year hundreds of thousands of animals are euthanized in shelters because there are not enough good homes available.  You can do your part to lower this number by preventing your female animal from producing more litters.

 

What is a Neuter?

The neuter procedure will prevent your male dog or cat from impregnating a female dog or cat.  Intact male animals have a tendency to roam looking for a female in heat and are more likely to be hit by cars or get into trouble.  They may also display more aggressive and dominant behavior due to the hormones their bodies produce.  The neuter surgery involves complete removal of both testicles.  If both testicles are in the scrotum, it is not necessary to enter the abdomen.  These animals need pain control during the surgery and for a short time afterwards.

 

We recommend neutering all male animals that are not being bred by an experienced breeder.  Every year hundreds of thousands of animals are euthanized in shelters because there are not enough good homes available.  You can do your part to lower this number by preventing your male animal from producing more litters.

 

What is a Declaw?

The declaw procedure is for cats and involves amputation of the first digit of every toe on both front feet.  This procedure is especially painful and prone to infection since the cat must walk on his/her feet during the entire recovery period, including standing in the litter box.  If performed, your cat will need to be on pain medication during and for up to 7 days following the surgery.

 

We do not recommend declaw surgeries as a routine matter and they are only approved following consultation with a doctor.  Cats are born with claws, and most can be trained to use their claws appropriately.  Try using a variety of scratching materials (carpet, cardboard, rope) and playing with your cat on and around the posts.  Keep the posts near areas where your cat sleeps so he/she can stretch right after waking up.  Praise him/her heartily whenever your cat uses the posts.  Because cats are very particular about textures, placing tape (sticky-side up) and tin foil over problem areas will discourage them from walking or scratching there.  Trimming nails will also minimize the damage your cat is able to perform.  Ask your veterinarian for a demonstration on how to trim your cat’s nails and for information on “Soft Paws” rubber nail tips.

 

Will My Pet Be Painful?

Many surgical procedures, including spays and neuters, are painful.  Dental cleanings are not painful unless a tooth has been extracted.  Animals that are in pain are not always vocal.  Other signs of pain include decreased appetite, panting, drooling, dilated eyes, pacing, restlessness, and hiding.

 

Most of our patients receive an injectable pain medication before they wake up from anesthesia.  The doctor may also recommend a few days of pain medication at home.  If you are not able to give pills or liquid by mouth, we can apply a pain patch.  This will continuously dispense medication that is absorbed through the skin.

 

Will My Pet Spend the Night?

In general our spay, neuter, mass removal, and dental patients go home the afternoon of their surgery.  Most animals are quieter and more comfortable in their own home and we will discharge them whenever it is possible.  Some surgical patients will need to stay overnight so we can continue to monitor their medical status and pain.  If this is the case with your pet, the doctor will explain their plan and will update you every morning on your pet’s condition.  Critical patients are referred to an emergency clinic for intensive overnight monitoring, and may return in the morning when the clinic re-opens.

 

What Care Will My Pet Need After Surgery?

The evening after anesthesia, your pet will probably be tired and may not act like himself.  This is normal and your should provide a warm quiet area indoors where your pet can rest without being bothered by children or other pets.  If your pet has had surgery, you will need to look at the incision every day to make sure it is healing well.  You will need to restrict your pet from running, jumping, wrestling, and other rough play as this may cause the incision to open up.  If you see any swelling, redness, or yellow discharge you should call your veterinarian immediately.  You will also need to prevent your pet from licking and chewing at the incision.  This may lead to infection or may cause the incision to open up again.  We can provide an Elizabethan Collar (e-collar) to keep your pet from licking the area.  Your veterinarian will show you how and when to give pain medication if it is needed.

 

Will I Need to Bring My Pet Back After Surgery?

If your pet develops any swelling, redness, or pus at the incision site you will need to call us immediately.  If your pet has external sutures or staples, you will need to come back within 10-14 days to have these removed.  Some pets will have absorbable sutures placed underneath the skin and will not need to come back for removal.  Your veterinarian will explain which kind was used, and will let you know if you need to return.

 

My Animal Has A Lump – Should I Have it Tested?

Any time you notice a lump it is a good idea to have it checked immediately.  Your veterinarian may decide to perform a fine needle aspirate biopsy.  This is when the doctor uses a needle to collect cells from the area to examine underneath the microscope.  The procedure takes just a few minutes, and does not hurt any more than getting a vaccine.  This test will help us determine if the mass needs to be removed.  If the mass does need to be removed, the fine needle aspirate biopsy will also help us determine if there are additional tests that need to be performed before surgery and to plan an appropriate surgical approach. 

 

Whenever we are removing a tumor, it is a good idea to have the mass sent to a pathologist for analysis.  The pathologist’s report will help us to know what kind of tumor was removed, if it is a tumor that was likely to have spread to other areas of the body, and if the tumor was removed completely.  This information is very important in helping us to plan our next step in your pet’s treatment, and to give you information on what to expect in the future.

 

Is There Any Way to Avoid General Anesthesia?

All major surgeries must be performed under general anesthesia, with the patient fully asleep.  This will minimize pain and will protect both your pet and our staff from needless injuries.  Some minor procedures, such as very small mass removals, can be performed under a local anesthetic.  This means that your pet is awake but that the area has been numbed and will not be painful.  Please feel free to discuss this option with your veterinarian if your pet is calm and not fearful at the veterinary clinic.