Surgery
Whether your pet needs general surgery or an emergency procedure, the staff at Linden Heights Animal Hospital will work hard to ensure the procedure is performed with the utmost expertise and is as stress-free as possible for both you and your pet.
We fully understand the decision to allow your pet to undergo surgery is not an easy one. We are happy to answer any questions about your pet’s specific surgery. In fact, a pre-surgical consultation is an essential part of the process, and we will provide you with information on postoperative care to ensure a rapid return to your pet’s happy, healthy self.
Pre-Surgery Examination
We perform a thorough examination before your pet undergoes any surgical procedure. This exam includes a pre-surgical blood screen, which, along with your pet’s anesthetic history, breed, preexisting conditions, and age, will be used to determine a unique anesthesia protocol. These tests have the added benefit of establishing a baseline for the comparison of future blood tests.
Comprehensive Pain Management
Just as with humans, pain has negative effects on pets that go beyond physical discomfort. Pain after surgery can slow healing and worsen diseases like arthritis. And because animals don’t understand why they are experiencing pain, it can cause behavioral issues and interfere with the bond between you and your pet.
To minimize your pet’s discomfort, we typically use a combination of local anesthetics, NSAIDs, and narcotic pain relievers. The exact protocol is tailored to each animal and depends on several factors that are determined by the pre-surgery exam and during the procedure.
Postoperative Care
The amount of time your pet will need to be monitored after surgery varies. In some cases, animals need to be monitored overnight; in others, they can be sent home the same day. When your pet is discharged, we will provide you with information on proper home care after surgery. If your pet is prescribed medication, we will explain how and when to administer it. We will also be available to answer questions after your pet goes home.
Anesthesia
Anesthesia is required for most surgical procedures. We use the safest anesthetics available to provide an extra margin of safety, especially for our older or high-risk patients.
Pre-anesthetic blood testing is important in reducing the risks of anesthesia. Every pet should have 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 anesthetic or surgical complications. Animals that have minor dysfunction will handle the anesthetic better if they receive IV fluids during surgery. If serious problems are detected, surgery can be postponed until the problem is corrected.
While under anesthesia, your pet is continuously monitored by both staff and specialized anesthesia monitoring technology. Your pet’s blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, body temperature, and oxygen level are all tracked during surgery. Throughout the procedure, we adjust the amount and type of anesthetic as needed. We also use a temperature-controlled operating table to assist in maintaining constant body temperature during the procedure.
If you have questions or are considering surgery for your pet, please contact us at (540) 667-4290.