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Puppy and Kitten Training Classes.......
Helps puppies and kittens to be comfortable at the veterinary clinic.
Also helps young puppies to develop good social skills.
Anesthesia | Behavior | Crate Training | Dental Health | Diet and Exercise | Health Checklist | Indoor vs. Outdoor Cats | Litter box | Microchips | Parasites | Scratching | Spay and Neuter | Surgery Day | Vaccinations | Veterinary Partners |
Surgery Day
What should I expect when my pet has surgery?
Pre-Surgery
- Your pet needs to be fasted (no food) after 8 pm the night before surgery. Water is okay until 6:30 am the day of surgery. The stomach should be empty to reduce the chance of nausea or vomiting that is sometimes a side effect of the drugs we give. If your pet vomits while groggy, he/she may have a chance of aspirating, which could lead to pneumonia.
- If your pet is on any medications, ask us if they should still be given on the day of surgery.
- While your pet is under anesthesia, we can perform additional services such as early hip dysplasia screening radiographs, microchips and complimentary nail trims. Please let us know if you have any special requests while your pet is asleep.
Surgery
- Your pet receives an injection that provides minor to moderate sedation, as well as pain control, before anesthesia is started.
- An IV catheter is placed in the vein to administer warm IV fluids during the surgery, and to provide easy vein access in the unlikely event of an emergency.
- An induction agent is then given intravenously (in the vein) to ensure that your pet is sleepy enough to place an endotracheal tube in the windpipe. This tube holds the airway open, stops liquid/saliva from going down the windpipe, and allows us to maintain our patient on a gas form of anesthesia called Isoflorane.
- Our surgery suite is separate from our treatment area to maintain its sterile atmosphere. During the surgery, sterile attire is worn, sterilized surgical packs are used, and the staff at our hospital strictly adheres to rules of proper sterility.
- The type of anesthesia used can vary from clinic to clinic. At Hart Road, we use only the most modern and safest anesthetics available. Many of these are the same types you would receive if you were having surgery!!
- We use very sophisticated monitoring equipment to monitor blood pressure, EKG, oxygen levels, heart rate, respiratory rate, carbon dioxide levels, and temperature. In addition, a technician monitors your pet from the time they are sedated until the moment they wake up and become stable.
- When your pet’s surgery is complete, we give another dose of pain control to allow time for it to kick in before they wake up.
- If your pet had an extensive surgery, they may receive additional pain medications as needed throughout the day to keep them as comfortable as possible.
- Following surgery, if your pet has an incision and sutures, your pet will need to be restricted from activity and cannot be bathed or groomed until the sutures are removed and the surgery site has completely healed. Your pet may need to wear a cone collar to prevent him/her from licking or chewing the incision.
At Hart Road Animal Hospital, we individualize your pet’s anesthetic protocol for his or her particular needs. Our emphasis is not on the volume of surgical patients, but the quality of care, comfort and safety of your pet.
16400 SW Hart Road
Beaverton, OR 97007
Phone: (503) 591-5282 Fax: (503) 591-5368
Email: hartroadanimalhospital@comcast.net