Latah Creek Animal Hospital
Leaving your pet for surgery can be a stressful experience, but knowing what happens throughout the day can help ease your mind. At Latah Creek Animal Hospital, we aim to make your pet’s surgery process as smooth and stress-free as possible. Here’s what to expect before, during, and after your pet’s procedure.
Preparing for Your Pet’s Surgery: Pre-Procedure Care and Bloodwork
When you schedule your pet’s procedure, a pre-surgical visit will be booked 1-2 weeks prior to the surgery. During this visit, our veterinarians will evaluate your pet’s health to ensure they’re ready for anesthesia and surgery. We’ll also conduct pre-anesthetic bloodwork to assess your pet’s organ function and ability to handle anesthesia. This bloodwork helps us screen for conditions like heart disease, kidney disease, and liver disease, which could affect your pet’s safety during surgery.
For cats, we also include a test to detect occult feline heart disease, which is crucial for ensuring anesthesia is safe. While anesthesia carries some risk, pre-anesthetic bloodwork allows us to reduce those risks by tailoring the drug protocol specifically to your pet.
How to Prepare Your Pet for Anesthesia and Surgery
The night before the procedure, your pet can eat a regular dinner, but they should have no food after midnight (this includes no breakfast). You can leave water available overnight. Fasting reduces the risk of vomiting during anesthesia, which can cause serious complications.
You will also receive pre-surgical medications to administer at home on the morning of the procedure. These may include anti-anxiety medication to help your pet stay calm and comfortable during their time at our facility. Depending on the procedure and anesthesia plan, your pet may also receive anti-nausea medications. If your pet is on any regular medications, you can give them as usual, using a small treat to make administration easier.
Check-in: Arriving for Your Pet’s Procedure
On the day of your pet’s surgery, you’ll check in at our office. When you arrive, please call our office, and one of our team members will escort you into an exam room to complete the check-in process. Our nurse will review the treatment plan and answer any questions you may have. Meanwhile, another team member will take your pet to their designated kennel to settle in.
We encourage you to bring comfort items for your pet, like their favorite bed, blanket, or toys. These items will help make your pet feel more at ease throughout the day. Just be sure to bring washable items, as they may get dirty.
Preparing Your Pet for Surgery: Sedation and IV Catheter Placement
Before your pet’s procedure begins, they will be pre-medicated with a personalized drug protocol to reduce stress and help keep them comfortable. Keeping stress levels low before surgery can also reduce the amount of anesthesia required.
After sedation, we will place an IV catheter to administer fluids, medications, and anesthesia. This catheter helps keep your pet hydrated and ensures their blood pressure remains stable during the procedure. It also allows for quick access to veins for any additional medications.
An endotracheal tube will be inserted to deliver oxygen and anesthetic gas while protecting your pet’s airway from aspiration during surgery.
During the Procedure: Constant Monitoring for Your Pet’s Safety
Throughout the surgery, your pet will be closely monitored by a dedicated veterinary nurse or surgical assistant. Key vital signs, including heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen levels, will be continuously tracked. This information is recorded every five minutes to ensure your pet remains stable during the procedure.
To keep your pet comfortable and help regulate their body temperature, they will be placed on a warming mat. We also provide a continuous flow of IV fluids to support their circulatory system, helping to flush out anesthesia and maintain hydration.
By having one team member focus entirely on monitoring anesthesia, the veterinarian performing the surgery can concentrate on the procedure itself, ensuring a safer and more efficient operation.
Spending the Day with Us: Your Pet’s Recovery Process
Your pet will spend most of the day with us. Our team will carefully prioritize procedures based on the type of surgeries being performed, the stress levels of our patients, and the expected recovery time. We will keep you updated throughout the day to let you know how your pet is doing.
Your pet will receive attention from several staff members throughout the day, including the attending veterinarian, a nurse, and a surgical assistant. We’ll ensure your pet remains calm, comfortable, and well-cared-for. We’ll also take your pet outside several times for bathroom breaks, and we’ll provide meals as needed. If your pet is on a special diet, feel free to bring it along, but we also provide a gentle, canned diet in case they experience any nausea after anesthesia.
Check-out and Returning Home: Post-Procedure Care
Once your pet is recovering comfortably, your attending nurse will call you to arrange a discharge appointment. This is a crucial time for discussing your pet’s procedure, any medications they may need, and their follow-up care. Please allow approximately 20 minutes for the discharge appointment.
When your pet comes home, they may still be sedated. You can offer them a small meal and water, and they may need help navigating stairs or rough terrain. Keep your pet calm and comfortable overnight, providing plenty of rest. They will also go home with pain medications to manage any discomfort. If your pet seems to be in more pain than expected, please contact us for additional pain relief options.
VIP Experience: Stay with Your Pet During Surgery
For pets that experience anxiety in kennels or for owners who want to stay close, we offer a VIP Experience. After checking in, you and your pet can remain together in an exam room until it’s time for them to go under anesthesia. You’ll be able to stay with your pet as we perform initial tasks like bloodwork and catheter placement, giving you peace of mind knowing your pet is well-cared-for.
Please note that we only have one VIP spot available per day, so be sure to contact us at 509-462-7387 to reserve this special experience for your pet.
Conclusion: A Smooth and Stress-Free Experience for Your Pet
At Latah Creek Animal Hospital, we strive to make every aspect of your pet’s surgery experience as comfortable and stress-free as possible. If you have any questions or concerns about your pet’s procedure, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to guide you through the process and ensure your pet gets the best care possible.