SURGERY

SURGERY

Surgery

We know that anesthesia and surgery are stressful for both you and your pet.  We are also aware that your pet’s comfort and safety is your primary concern.

Therefore, one area of the hospital we have continued to improve upon is surgical care.  Bit & Spur Animal Hospital does everything possible to minimize your pet’s stress and discomfort, while ensuring the safest procedure possible.

AAll surgery patients arrive at the hospital before 9am on the day of their surgery.  This allows time for the pre-anesthetic blood profile and complete blood count to ensure body functions.  The surgery table is heated to ensure your pet’s body temperature is maintained during surgery, providing a safer, quicker, and smoother procedure and recovery.   Our operating room uses only surgical instruments of the highest quality with less chance of an instrument slipping, which could cause blood loss or injury during surgery.  We also use the best quality suture material available.  In many cases, we use surgical skin staples that cause less irritation to your pet’s skin.

All of our patients receiving general anesthesia have an intravenous catheter prior to induction.  This allows for safer administration of medications and ready venous access in case of emergency.

AAll surgery patients arrive at the hospital before 9am on the day of their surgery.  This allows time for the pre-anesthetic blood profile and complete blood count to ensure body functions.  The surgery table is heated to ensure your pet’s body temperature is maintained during surgery, providing a safer, quicker, and smoother procedure and recovery.   Our operating room uses only surgical instruments of the highest quality with less chance of an instrument slipping, which could cause blood loss or injury during surgery.  We also use the best quality suture material available.  In many cases, we use surgical skin staples that cause less irritation to your pet’s skin.

All of our patients receiving general anesthesia have an intravenous catheter prior to induction.  This allows for safer administration of medications and ready venous access in case of emergency.

Through this catheter, your pet will also receive IV fluid support from specialized pumps that deliver and monitor precise amounts of fluids.  Intravenous fluids help maintain blood pressure, provide internal organ support and keep your pet from becoming dehydrated.  We also keep a supply of most advanced emergency drugs available, including synthetic blood products.  These are very expensive to keep on hand, but allow us to be prepared in the event of an emergency following surgery.

Our operating room is equipped with electronic monitors that alert us the moment any change in body functions occur.  We also have highly trained surgical nurses and technicians dedicated exclusively to monitoring your pet’s body tissue oxygen concentration, pulse rate, respiration, body temperature, electrocardiogram and blood pressure while under anesthesia.

We use the safest form of anesthesia sevofluorance or isofluorane.  Gas anesthestic agents are more expensive but are much safer and more effective.

Once your pet is ready to go home, detailed discharge instructions are provided to you by a doctor, nurse, or technician.  Most surgical patients are seen 7- 14 days after discharge, to examine your pet’s surgical site and medical progress.