What to know about Surgery

Meet the Doctor

The first step for a surgical procedure is a pre-surgical consultation. This is where you meet Dr. Brar who performs all surgeries at Lifeline Animal Clinic. At the pre-surgical consultation, an anesthetic protocol and surgical plan is determined by the doctor by examining your pet and having a blood test done to determine organ function. It is critical that the patient does not consume food or water for 12 hours prior to surgery in order to prevent aspiration.

The Procedure

Patients undergoing anesthesia will be hospitalized for the day. After an early drop off (9:00am-9:30am), patients are weighed and their vitals signs are taken. Pre-medication is given which takes a one to two hours to set in. At 11:30am the patient is intubated, put on anesthesia, and an IV is placed for fluids to be run. Vitals are monitored throughout surgery. Owners are called once surgery is over for an update on how everything went. Patients continue to be monitored at the clinic until owners pick up their healthy pet at the end of the day (4:00pm).

Home Care

It is normal for the patient to be woozy, less hungry and less thirsty than usual, as it takes 24 hours for the anesthetic to leave the patient’s system. Home care instructions include a reduced meal portion and monitoring the patient when water is available. Expect a call the day after surgery checking up on the patient.