Often when you visit a veterinary hospital your pet is taken ‘out back’ for certain procedures or to be admitted for surgery.  At RRVH we try to keep an open book policy and wanted to give you an idea of what will typically happens once your pet is admitted to the hospital for surgery. We hope that understanding the different aspects of the procedure and the precautions taken will help you to rest a little easier when your pet stays with us.

Pre surgical blood work – every patient that is to be anesthetized will have pre surgical blood work done to ensure that your pet is free from any underlying disease.

Catheter placement - a small area of fur will be shaved on a leg where the IV catheter is to be placed.   This catheter will be used to administer IV fluids during surgery to maintain blood pressure, hydration and will also provide venous access for medications (emergency or routine) should they be needed.

There are several steps to anesthetizing your pet. First they are given an injection to premedicate them. These are drugs given prior to anesthetic induction to calm the patient, reduce stress and provide preemptive analgesia (relief from pain). They also allow a reduction of induction and maintenance drugs.  Next they are given an induction agent. This is given via the catheter and allows us to intubate (pass and tube into the windpipe) which will be used to breath gas anesthetic during surgery.



Surgical preparation The surgical site is clipped and scrubbed in a special method to lessen the bacteria normally present on the skin therefore decreasing the chance of infection. Our patients are kept warm by water circulating blankets.   

Surgery The surgeon wears a cap, mask and sterile gown/ gloves. Sterilized surgical packs, drapes, scalpel blades and suture are all needed for surgery. 

During surgery patient temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, pulse quality, fluid rates, pulse ox, depth of anesthesia are all continuously monitored by at trained petnurse.

Post op – The patient is monitored and when awake enough is extubated (endotracheal tube removed) and additional pain medications given. The catheter is removed and a bandage placed. Pets are placed in a warm kennel and allowed to sleep during recovery.