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Anaesthesia
 Ultimately
no anaesthetic is without risk, but we strive to reduce any risks to
the absolute minimum.
For example,
we may recommend a pre-anaesthetic blood test. This enables us to
pick up any problems that may affect your animal’s ability to cope
with the anaesthetic and/or surgery.
 We
use Gold Standard anaesthesia, which means that the anaesthetic
agents we use are considered the safest on the market. Premedicants
(sedative and painkillers) are administered to our patients on
arrival (except for those awaiting pre-operative blood results) to
minimise stress.
 All patients
undergoing sedation or anaesthesia have an intravenous catheter
placed. This allows a stress
free anaesthetic induction and also allows us to have intravenous
access, should this be required during the procedure; it is
invaluable during emergencies. We
also recommend intravenous fluids for longer procedures and older
animals.
 We
monitor animals intensively during anaesthesia. We are particularly
careful to maintain body temperature, especially in our smaller
patients who are more prone to heat loss. Any
animal losing body temperature is likely to have a prolonged
recovery.
 Our
patients are also monitored carefully in the postoperative period
until they are able to stand up and have eaten. Any signs of pain or
discomfort are brought to the veterinarian’s attention immediately
and analgesics administered if at all possible. We
feed them easily digestible, high calorie food (unless otherwise
prescribed) as soon as they have recovered enough to sit up and
swallow, in order to promote recovery from surgery, wound healing
and general well being.
We
feel very strongly about analgesia or pain relief. All animals
undergoing surgery or dentistry will receive painkillers before and
after the procedure. This is not just an ‘optional extra’!
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