Wondering what spaying or neutering your dog actually entails, when you should get it done, what to expect from the recovery process and which risks are involved? Our Richmond vets share everything dog owners need to know about reproductive surgery.
Why You Should Not Opt-Out of Pre-anesthetic Lab Work
The majority of veterinary hospitals now recommend pre-operative lab work be performed for any pets who will be undergoing general anesthesia. This is what is best for your pet, but sometimes owners do not fully understand the benefits and will insist on skipping straight to surgery without doing the testing.
Common Misconceptions About Pre-anesthetic Lab Work
Two of the most common misconceptions surrounding pre-anesthetic lab work are that healthy animals don't need it, or that recent bloodwork precludes the need for it.
We understand that no one enjoys spending money they don't need to, but pre-anesthetic lab work is not the right choice for cutting expenses. While it is true that a pre-operative screening will most likely come back clean for a young and healthy animal, the consequences of not performing the screening when there is a medical complication lurking beneath the surface are often fatal. As for old lab work, it is possible that pre-existing lab work will be admissible, but this is determined on a case-by-case basis. Your veterinarian can best advise you on whether or not old lab results are too out of date for them to comfortably and safely operate on your pet.
The Cost of Pre-anesthetic Lab Work
Pre-anesthetic testing does not need to be expensive, different clinics will price the diagnostics differently - and the diagnostics recommended to you may vary based on your animal's age and general health. While some pet owners opt to go all out and run a full suite of diagnostics, some clinics will allow for operations following basic diagnostics that at very least cover most of your bases in the case of young and healthy pets.
Pre-anesthetic screening is a life-saver. Don’t put your pet’s health at risk by opting out.
Surgery at Broad Street Veterinary Hospital
Our veterinarians perform a variety of veterinary surgeries, from soft tissue and orthopedic surgeries to dental surgery and spays & neuters procedures for Richmond pets. We are proud to offer a wide array of surgical procedures for cats and dogs in the Richmond area using advanced surgical techniques and stringent safety protocols.
During each surgery, a dedicated nurse will administer anesthesia and continuously monitor your pet using electronic patient monitoring equipment. Pain management will also be provided.
Postoperative monitoring and pain management are our priorities following surgery. Your vet will also provide comprehensive instructions for care once they return home.
Our Surgical Protocols
We know that the prospect of bringing your pet in for surgery can be daunting and frightening. Please be assured, however, that we only recommend surgery for your pet when it is in the best interests of your furry family member.
We will make sure that you completely understand why we recommend surgery and are comfortable in making the decision to move ahead with the procedure. Our hospital follows the following stringent protocols:
Pre-surgical assessments. We will confirm the specifics of the procedure, complete a physical examination of the patient, and make sure blood tests have been completed and reviewed by the vet in order to determine if your pet faces any risk of anesthesia-related complications.
Dedicated surgical suites. Surgeries are performed in a dedicated surgical suite. This room is kept completely sterile to prevent infection and cross-contamination.
Surgical attire. Our staff wears disposable caps and masks at all times when they are in the surgical suite. Those involved in the procedure itself will also wear sterile gowns and single-use gloves.
Sterile packs and equipment. We carefully clean, sterilize and wrap our surgical instruments and equipment prior to every surgery.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.