PREPARING YOUR PET FOR SURGERY

So you’ve just been told by the vet that your pet needs surgery. Here are a few tips and guidelines you should follow in order to prepare your pet for his/her procedure, and also put your mind at ease.

1. Fast 12 hours before

Animals can vomit whilst being put under, or when waking up from a general anaesthetic.

And because anaesthetic drugs also “switch off” the swallowing reflex, any fluid or substance vomited out can then be inhaled into the lungs. Stomach contents are acidic (pH 2) and contain bacteria. So you can imagine what will happen to the lungs- acid burns and bad infections!

Therefore, no food can be given after 8pm the night before, and no breakfast either! So your pet comes in with an empty stomach. Even if you have to suffer through those woeful, hungry eyes staring at you all night, at least you know you will have protected your pet from a potentially dangerous anaesthetic complication.

2. Water should be withheld from the morning of the day of the procedure

Hydration is very important, however, and so water should be continually refreshed and made available for the night before the surgery. But we encourage water being withheld on the morning of the day of the procedure.

Once your pet comes into the clinic, water is also withheld so that whatever water is in the stomach will be allowed to empty in preparation for surgery.

3. Keep your pet indoors the night before

Cats especially, are able to sense danger and so often run away the night before. Or they become really difficult to locate or catch in the morning. So keep them in so you know where they are and don’t have to chase them around the house.

If you are stressed, they will be stressed too. So do everything possible to make sure they stay calm and collected, rather than arrive fearful and stressed. If they are stressed, they will become unmanageable and that can make this entire experience, otherwise a minimally stressful one, a very bad and frightening day for your pet.

For non-elective surgeries like fractures or wounds, make sure they are kept quiet and their wounds clean.

4. Notify the vet of any current medication or supplements your pet is on

If your animal is being medicated, especially if it’s a long-term type of medication, you must let your vet know. Sometimes it can slip their mind, or if it’s something that is unusual, like a supplement, they may not think to ask. Therefore it is your responsibility to let them know, as you know your pet, and its history best.

5. Be on time

There are procedures and preparations that need to be done before your pet can undergo his/her operation, so please arrive at the clinic at the specified time so you do not delay your pet’s, or that of another’s operation.

If you are going to be delayed, or are unable to make it, please phone ahead to let us know so we can make alternative arrangements for you, and for our other patients.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to give us a call at 62737573. 

NOTE OF CAUTION:  If you have more than one pet, it is important you isolate the pet that is scheduled for surgery.  This way, it will not eat the food laid out for the other pets without your knowledge. Do remember your pet can also climb on the dining table and eat your food too.