Anaesthetics/Operations

Your guide for anaesthetics and operations

Please note that this information is a guide only. If your pet may need special care this will be explained to you by a Vet or Nurse before your pet comes in or when your pet is ready to go home.

Before your pet comes in for an Anaesthetic

All animals (except puppies and rabbits) should be starved from approximately 7pm the night before the Operation. Water should be left down overnight & taken away the morning of the Operation.

Puppies: Food & water must be removed early the morning of their operation.

Rabbits: Do not starve or remove water before the operation.

Please can you take your dog for a short walk before bringing them in so that they have an empty bladder and an empty rectum before being left with us.

Why shouldn't I starve my rabbit before their operation?

Rabbits do not need to be and should not be starved prior to an operation as they are unable to vomit. They have a rapid metabolism which means that long periods without food can send them hypoglycaemic. They need to be fed their usual diet right up until the operation. The owner may pick fresh grass to put in the carrier during transportation to the practice.

For more information, please contact us.

After your Pet has had an Anaesthetic

This sheet is a guide only. Your pet may need special care. In this case the vet or nurse in charge of your pet will explain things to you separately.

What to expect

  • Your pet may be uncoordinated from an anaesthetic or sedation – don’t worry, this is normal
  • The fur around the operation site is shaved to stop infection
  • There may be a shaved patch on a front leg where blood samples have been taken from or anaesthetic agents introduced
  • Cats & small dogs may have a small shaved patch on the neck if we had to take a blood sample
  • If your pet had an intravenous drip he/she may have a bandage on the front leg which you can take off after 24 hours

Taking care of your pet

  • Confine your pet in a quiet, warm place for the night following the operation
  • Don’t let your pet overdo it for the first few days
  • Dogs can have short walks on the lead
  • Keep cats indoors at least overnight and give them a litter tray
  • Try to stop your pet from jumping and tackling stairs

Feeding

  • Unless the vet or nurse has said anything different, give a small amount of your pet’s normal diet or small meal of white meat, fish or cooked eggs
  • Don’t worry if your pet does not feel up to eating
  • Leave a water bowl down with just a small amount of water in it

Bandages & wound care

  • Bandages need to stay dry. Please put a plastic bag on your dog’s foot for going out if the ground is wet and remember to take the bag off when you get back inside
  • Don’t let your pet lick or scratch at his/her stitches. We can give you a buster collar for your pet if this is a problem

Medicines

  • Make sure you give all tablets exactly as on the label
  • If you have trouble giving pills try hiding them in a treat, cheese (especially Dairy lea), ham and chicken have all worked well for some pets

If at any time you have concerns please contact us – we are only a phone call away. It is better to ask promptly rather than wait and worry.

After your Pet has had Dentistry

Your pet may need further, special care. In this case the vet or nurse in charge of your pet will explain things to you separately.

General information

  • Dental treatment of pets is very different from that in people. Because we have to do everything under anaesthetic we have to do a lot in one day so as to avoid lots of anaesthetics. Also the teeth are sometimes difficult to remove and a lot of painstaking work is often needed to get the teeth out cleanly
  • You may be shocked at how many teeth the vet has taken out. We do not take out normal teeth. However, if the teeth are loose, painful or infected at the roots they are best removed. Your pet will be much happier to be out of pain and much healthier to be rid of the infection
  • Many pets end up with no teeth at all and eat soft foods perfectly well

What to expect

  • Your pet may be uncoordinated from the anaesthetic – don’t worry, this is normal
  • Your pet may have blood in the saliva for the first few days, this is normal
  • You might see a shaved patch on the leg where the anaesthetic was given
  • Your pet may have a plaster or a bandage on the front leg which you can take off after 24hrs
  • The fur around your pet’s face may be a bit damp – this is from the water sprayed out by the descaler

Taking care of your pet

  • Confine your pet in a quiet, warm place for the night following the anaesthetic
  • Don’t let your pet overdo if for the first few days, short lead walks for dogs are fine

Feeding

  • Unless the vet or nurse has said anything different, give a small amount of your pet’s normal diet or a small meal of white meat, fish or cooked eggs
  • Don’t worry if your pet does not feel up to eating
  • Leave a water bowl down with just a small amount of water in it
  • Your pet will probably not be up to eating biscuits or other hard foods for 5 days to a week if he/she has had teeth out

Medicines

  • Make sure you give all tablets exactly as on the label
  • If you have trouble giving pills try hiding them in a treat, cheese (especially Dairy Lea), ham & chicken have all worked well for some pets

Caring for the teeth

  • Your pet’s teeth will be sparkling clean and beautiful after they have been scaled and polished today! However they won’t stay like that without care. The vet or nurse will tell you about brushing at the check up. For dogs where brushing is impossible the daily use of logic oral gel will help a lot to stop tartar, plaque and bacteria coming back

For more information, please contact us.