Pre and Post Operative Care of your Pet

There is a very good chance that, at some time in its life, your pet will need to undergo a general anaesthetic. Taking X-rays, dental work and neutering are common procedures requiring anaesthesia. As an owner you need to know what to expect and what your role will be.

There are a number of questions that are likely to spring to mind when your pet is going to have an operation, so let's investigate just what is meant by the term 'general anaesthetic'. A general anaesthetic provides 'a controllable loss of consciousness in which the animal will not perceive pain'. General anaesthetics are essential to enable a wide range of surgical procedures to be performed humanely.

Preoperative Preparation
Your pet is going to have an anaesthetic which means that it will be unconscious. The biggest risk is inhalation of vomitus, because if your pet was to be sick while in this state it would be unable to control its actions. That is the reason why you will have been asked to withhold food and water from your pet prior to admission.

It is important to prevent your animal eating or drinking anything in the eight hours (minimum) before anaesthesia. For older animals you may be allowed to give them a small drink a few hours beforehand but this will vary according to practice policy. If you have any other pets, remember to take their food away as well. In the case of cats, do keep them in overnight - a mouse after midnight may be just too tempting.

On the morning of the operation try to encourage your pet to urinate and defecate prior to leaving it at the veterinary centre. Providing a litter tray for cats or taking dogs for a short walk usually suffices.

Admission
You will need to leave your pet at the surgery for the day and no doubt you will be very anxious. The person in charge of admitting your pet will need to ask a few details. At this point you may want to ask some questions. And don't forget to mention that you would like your pet's claws clipped or his ears checked, if need be.

You will be asked to sign a consent form to give the vet permission to perform the anaesthetic and surgical procedure. Every anaesthetic has a risk attached to it - just as if you or I were to have an anaesthetic in hospital. Try not to become alarmed if this is pointed out to you. Rest assured that your pet will be thoroughly examined prior to the administration of any drugs and constantly monitored during the whole anaesthetic and surgical procedure.
Be sure to leave a contact telephone number and to make a note of any instructions from the surgery concerning when and who to phone for a progress report.

Preparing for surgery

• Animals are weighed to ensure accurate drug dosage calculation.
• A premedicant may be administered to reduce anxiety, provide mild sedation and pain relief.
• Your pet will be placed in a prepared kennel allowing time for the premedicant to have full effect.
• Anaesthesia is induced and the operation follows shortly.

Time for further preparations
To fill your time while your pet is in the safe hands of the veterinary team think about organising transport for collection of your pet. If you don't drive or have a car of your own, perhaps a friend may be able to help or it may be worth organising a taxi. Your pet is likely to be drowsy and although it will be able to walk, any amount of walking can be tiring and is not recommended.

At home, provide a comfortable basket/bed away from draughts. If your pet is going to have stitches, jumping onto furniture or going upstairs will be difficult so try to rearrange the sleeping arrangements accordingly.

Your pet will need a light, palatable meal after surgery. The veterinary surgery may be able to supply a proprietary form of this but, if not, prepare some boiled chicken or fish. Don't forget to phone the surgery for a progress report and then arrange a mutually agreeable time for collection.

Postoperative Instructions
Be prepared. Your pet will be drowsy and looking sorry for itself. It may have a large surgical wound, bandages and an Elizabethan collar fitted. Although you may be very anxious to see your pet as soon as possible and get them home, it is advisable to speak to the veterinary nurse or veterinary surgeon prior to actually seeing your pet. This will enable complete and thorough postoperative instructions to be given to you, a check up appointment can be scheduled and the account settled. It is also an ideal time for you to ask any questions that you have thought of during the day.

Instructions for postoperative care will vary from surgery to surgery and will depend on the type of surgical procedure your pet has undergone. However, some basic guidelines are set out in the box on the facing page.

Once you are happy you have inwardly digested the instructions you may now have your pet back and can give him/her your full attention. It will be down to you perform the postoperative care yourself, not forgetting tender loving care in the comfort of your own home.

Following this protocol, your pet should make an uneventful recovery and return to the practice for a check up and suture removal.

Postoperative care

• Your pet is likely to be drowsy for 24 to 36 hours. Keep it in a comfortable bed/basket away from draughts and noise.
• Vomiting may occur in the immediate postoperative period. Light palatable meals, given little and often, can help reduce the likelihood of this. If vomiting occurs, consult your vet.
• Exercise should be restricted until any sutures are removed. Cats must be kept indoors for at least 24 hours postoperatively and dogs must be exercised on a lead only.
• Check the wound daily. There is no need for you to bathe the wound, but it is very important that you prevent your pet licking it. Licking of a surgical wound can cause inflammation and introduce infection which may necessitate further medication. The pet may try to remove sutures while licking which could mean another general anaesthetic to replace them. Elizabethan collars, Bite-Not-Collars or bandages are ways of preventing self-mutilation (inquire at the surgery for any of these).
• Bandages should be kept clean and dry. They must be checked daily for signs of swelling above or below the bandage, or seepages/ discharges and so on. If at all concerned, contact your vet.
• Ensure medication is given at the stated dosage and that the course is completed.
• If you become at all concerned about your pet's health during the postoperative period do not hesitate to contact your vet.

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