Once your pet has been admitted into our Hospital and has settled into their cage, the Veterinarians can do any check ups and sedations as needed.

PRE GENERAL ANAESTHESIA CHECK UP

The Veterinarians complete a physical examination and obtain a full history, to establish your pets health status before giving any premedications.

SEDATION/PRE MEDICATION

The Veterinarian will choose the appropriate sedation for your pet depending on the health of your animal, age, breed and conditions the pet may have.  Sedation/premedications need to be given at least 45 minutes prior to starting any procedure.  This allows the animal to become relaxed and calm before starting, and also reduces the amount of anasthetic required.  these are usually given as an injection subcutaneously (under the skin).

GENERAL ANAESTHESIA

The Veterinarian will choose the appropriate anaesthesia for your pet pending numerous variables as mentioned above.  A small section of the forearm will be clipped to allow visualisation of the vein to administer any drugs and for fluids.  The anaesthetic is usually given intravenously (into the vein) followed by maintenance on a gaseous anaesthetic machine.  Monitoring throughout the anaesthetic is done by a qualified Veterinary Nurse, checking heart rate, breathing rate, oxygen levels, blood pressure, ECG, temperature etc

SURGERY/PROCEDURE

Surgeries and procedures will not be started until consults have finished for the morning.  Once all our surgery/procedure patients have been admitted, a plan for the day is made.  Generally the veterinarians will start with the shorter/easiest/cleanest procedure first i.e. castrations, spays, lump removals, xrays followed by the less clean procedures such as stitch ups, dentals, abscess surgeries etc.  Surgery can continue throughout the day up until 4.00pm when the afternoon consults start.

PICK UP TIMES

We recommend to call the Hospital around 4.00pm to see how your pet is going.  The nursing staff will assess your pet at the time of your call, and a collection time will be arranged with you then.  We like the patient to be standing/moving around in the cage, or walking adequately before allowed home.

HOME CARE DOCUMENTATION

Home care information will be sent home with you on collection of your pet.  This will have details on such things as

- What to expect post sedation, general anaesthesia, surgery etc

- Medication required

- Feeding

- Exercise

- Drain removal

- Suture removal

- Elizabethan collars (bucket on head)

- Revisit times

Last updated 24.12.2019