Day of the Procedure
At this time the doctor will do a physical exam and discuss the procedure. For most young and healthy pets, the following procedures are recommended otherwise will improve safety and comfort during and after anesthesia:
- Preoperative Bloodwork
- A physical exam alone does not allow us to know how your pet’s organs are functioning. This simple test prior to anesthesia and surgery gives us a quick look at kidney and liver functions, blood glucose levels, protein levels, and red blood cell count. By knowing these values we are better able to identify potential complications and reduce risks prior to anesthetizing your pet.
- Intravenous Catheters and Intravenous Fluids
- Catheters: Placement of a catheter into a leg vein prior to anesthesia allows us to administer fluids during the procedure to keep your pet hydrated and to maintain a healthy blood pressure. It also allows us to respond immediately to any changes or problems that arise during anesthesia. Although we can place a catheter during anesthesia if an emergency arises, valuable time may be lost.
Fluids: When your pet is under anesthesia he/she is at increased risk of dehydration, low blood pressure and inadequate blood flow to internal organs. By giving IV fluids during anesthesia, we can help support your pet and reduce these risks. - Pain control and management
- Most routine dental cleanings are very similar to the cleanings we have at our dentist’s office. However, if we determine that it is necessary to do additional procedures like extractions or bonding and sealing fractures, we take measures to manage your pet’s pain during and after the procedure. We may perform a local nerve block, give additional IV pain medications, or send oral pain medications home.