It can be nerve-wracking when your pet has to come into hospital and go under anaesthetic, whether for a routine procedure or a more advanced one. Each pet and their needs are unique and different, and safety and comfort are our top priorities.
Admission
We operate at both our Wallsend and Fletcher clinics, Monday to Friday. Before admission, we will ask you to fast your pet before arriving (except for rabbits.) This means, no food eaten on the morning of the procedure. We will book you an appointment with our veterinarian in the morning, to discuss any questions or concerns you have about the procedure, as well as to perform a thorough health check. This is where we will go through their anaesthetic consent form, and will discuss their anaesthetic risk.
Anaesthetic Risk
All anaesthetic procedures pose a risk to the body. This is because each pet is unique and different. With that said, however, the risk is extremely low, and modern anaesthetics and medications are very safe. Some factors increase anaesthetic risk, such as:
- Age
- Pre-existing conditions
- Breed (eg, brachycephalics)
- Procedure length and complexity
- Obesity
Minimising Risk
To ensure we have a sound picture of your pet’s condition before they undergo an anaesthetic, we offer testing prior to the procedure, in the way of a blood test. This tells us how their vital organs are functioning before any medication is given, in case we need to postpone or alter their care plan. We provide intravenous fluids to our surgical patients, to ensure they stay hydrated for the procedure, and minimise stress posed to the body. We have a digital hospital whiteboard and anaesthetic monitoring sheet, which our experienced nurses complete continuously throughout their procedure, recording their vital signs. We also have state-of-the-art monitoring equipment, such as ECGs, Pulse Oximeters, Blood pressure, etc, which continuously track their progress.
Keeping Comfort
Keeping your pet relaxed and comfortable is a key priority here at our hospital. We have warming pads for temperature regulation, thick bedding, private hospital rooms if need-be, and intensive care cages. For our large breeds, we have a large, floor to ceiling glass enclosure, to ensure they can stand and lay out comfortably. Take a look at our hospital tour here. Our team of veterinary staff are with your pet during their entire hospital stay, ensuring they’re comfortable, taking them for toileting breaks, stretch walks, and for general love and attention.
Discharge
When its time for your pet to go home, we will discuss with you their treatment plan. This may include light meals, stitches-care, limited exercise, and no bathing or swimming. If your pet has had a more lengthy, non-routine procedure, our vets will discuss their post-op care during another consultation. We provide free rechecks for our anaesthetic patients for 2 weeks afterwards, if there are any concerns pertaining to the procedure.
If your pet is requiring an anesthetic procedure and you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help.
