What You Need to Know Before Your Pet's Upcoming Surgery

Many people have questions about various aspects of their pet's surgery, and we hope this information will help.  It also explains the decisions you will need to make before your pet's upcoming surgery.

Is the anesthetic safe?

Today's modern anesthetic monitors have made surgery much safer than in the past.  Here at the Animal Dental Clinic, we do a thorough physical exam on your pet before administering anesthetics, to ensure that a fever or other illness won't be a problem.  We also adjust the amount and type of anesthetic used depending on the size, breed, and health of your pet. 

Preanesthetic blood testing is important in reducing the risk of anesthesia.  Every pet needs blood testing before surgery to ensure that the liver and kidneys can handle the anesthetic.  Even apparently healthy animals can have serious organ system problems that cannot be detected without blood testing.  If there is a problem, it is much better to find it before it causes anesthetic or surgical complications.  Animals will handle the anesthetic better if they receive IV fluids during surgery.  If serious problems are detected, surgery will be postponed until the problem is corrected.

Our doctors prefer the more comprehensive screen, because it gives them the most information to ensure the safety of your pet.  For geriatric or ill pets, additional blood tests, electrocardiograms, or x-rays may be required before surgery; which we will have your regular veterinarian provide.

It is important that surgery be done on an empty stomach to reduce the risk of vomiting during and after anesthesia.  You will need to withhold food for at least 8 to 10 hours before surgery.  Water can be left down for the pet until the morning of surgery.

Will my pet have "stitches"?

Oral surgery usually requires sutures.  If sutures are used, they will be dissolvable material.  Depending on the material used the sutures will dissolve in 2-5 weeks.

Will my pet be in pain?

Anything that causes pain in people can be expected to cause pain in animals.  Pets may not show the same clinical signs of pain as people do; they usually don't whine or cry, but you can be sure they feel it.  Pain medications needed will depend on the surgery performed.  

We use a multi-modal pain approach to make the patients comfortable and pain-free.  Injections are given pre-operative.  Local anesthetic blocks are used intraoperative.  Oral pain medication is provided for post-operative analgesia.

We use narcotic patches for some patients and surgeries as well.   
What other decisions do I need to make?

When you bring your pet in for surgery, we will need to 15 minutes of time to fill out paperwork or you can download the form and fill it out ahead of time.  If preoperative bloodwork is going to be done, please arrive 45 minutes before your scheduled time.  When you pick up your pet after surgery you can also plan to spend about 10 minutes to go over your pet's home care needs.

We will call you the day before your scheduled consultation, to confirm the time of your appointment and to answer any questions you might have.  In the meantime, please don't hesitate to call us with any questions about your pet's health or the oral surgery.