Information about anaesthesia

ADVICE FOR PATIENTS HAVING ANAESTHETIC/SURGICAL PROCEDURES

  • Withhold all food from 8pm the previous evening. Water may be left overnight, especially for older patients or those with kidney problems, but remove in the morning.
  • Admissions are between 8.30-9.00am on the day of your pet’s operation
  • Take dogs out before arrival to allow time for toileting. Ensure dogs are clean and dry
  • Dogs are best brought in on a secure collar and lead and cats in a basket
  • Please mention any signs of ill health or other unusual signs
  • Dogs will need transport to return home and cats are safest in a basket. For large dogs a blanket sling may be helpful if stairs or steps are to be negotiated

GENERAL PROCEDURES

This is an ideal time to check such routine items as teeth, ears, nails, anal sacs etc. and give any attention that may be appropriate. This is normally done when time allows but sometimes it may be necessary to allow the patient to recover as quickly as possible. Please discuss this with the nurse or veterinary surgeon on admission.

ANAESTHESIA

Having your pet undergo a general anaesthetic can be a worrying time. We have tried to minimise these concerns as much as possible by using the safest anaesthetic agents. One of our nurses will admit your pet and may advise a pre-op blood test to check some basic metabolic functions depending on the animal’s age and previous history.

You will be asked to sign a consent form before you leave your pet with us.

Your pet will be weighed, have any necessary blood tests run and be given pre-medication which provides relaxation and pain relief. A small patch of hair is clipped on a front leg so that the intravenous anaesthetic Propofol can be given which quickly induces unconsciousness.

An endotracheal tube is passed into the airway and anaesthesia maintained with Isofluorane carefully metered from the anaesthetic machine. Throughout the procedure we monitor blood oxygen levels, heart and respiration rate.

When the procedure is finished oxygen is given until consciousness is regained, the breathing tube is removed and monitoring is continued until the patient is fully awake. At this point a vet or nurse will call you to report progress and arrange a time for collection when you will be given home care instructions and any medication required. We will usually make you an appointment 2 days later for a free of charge post-op check.

ANAESTHETIC RISKS

With the use of modern anaesthetics, specialised equipment and highly trained nurses, risks are considerably reduced but nevertheless, it should be realised, all anaesthetic techniques and surgical procedures involve some risk to the patient. Problems can occur more frequently in certain breeds and there can be occasional individual allergic reactions. Any disease, infection or toxicity will increase the risks and if suspected should always be mentioned. Obesity will increase the difficulty experienced if any problems arise. During an operation problems can arise due to hemorrhage and surgical shock and will vary with the type of operation and individual susceptibility. Operations may however have to be carried out despite these problems.

All anaesthetics carry some risk to the patient. By using the routine outlined above we have tried to reduce that risk to the smallest possible.