A Guide to Elective Surgeries

During your pet's lifetime, he or she may be required to undergo an elective surgery.  For many, this may only be a spay or neuter surgery.  At Vancouver Veterinary Hospital, we believe it important for our clients to be given as much information as possible to allow them to make confident, informed decisions.  It is valuable to understand what is involved in your pet's surgical procedure and what safety guidelines and procedures are in places to ensure the safety of your pet during its stay in our hospital.

Commonly asked Questions:

1. What pre-anesthetic evaluation will my pet have prior to his/her surgery?

2. What safety precautions will be taken with my pet during surgery?

3. Why is bloodwork recommended prior to a surgery?

4. What safety precautions will be taken with my pet after surgery?

5. How will pain be controlled for my pet?

6. Will I receive written post-surgical care instructions for my pet?

7. Preparation of the patient

8. Surgical preparation and attire of the surgeon and assistants

9. Surgical instruments and supplies

1. What pre-anesthetic evaluation will my pet have prior to surgery?

It is always important to evaluate your pet's current health condition before undergoing any type of anesthetic.  There are risks involved in any surgery and since your pets' safety is one of our main concerns, we require all animals be examined prior to surgical procedures.  A physical exam is our first line of defense to help ensure their safety.  Pre-anesthetic blood work can also be performed to detect hidden problems that could cause serious complications when your pet is under anesthetic. Other screening tests such as ECG, x-rays and blood pressure are available if the situation warrants.

Occasionally, situations arise where a pet may be deemed unsuitable for surgery at the desired time. Reasons for this can range from unexpected findings on per-surgical lab work, worsening of medical conditions or new findings. Most commonly, this occurs with female dogs in heat, whose surgery should be delayed a month or so, or animals with unexpected lab findings that need to be addressed or reassessed prior to surgery. You will be notified of any of these findings upon their discovery.

2. What safety precautions will be taken with my pet during surgery?

A number of your pet's vital statistics are monitored during surgery.  Your pet's heart rate, respiratory rate and blood oxygen saturation will be monitored throughout the surgery.  During higher risk or prolonged surgeries, we also monitor blood pressure and body temperature.  Animals receive fluids intravenously throughout surgery to maintain blood pressure, blood volume and ensure tissues are properly supported. While under an anesthetic, it is not uncommon for an animal to lose body heat.  To help prevent this, warming blankets are used both during and after a surgery to maintain the proper body temperature.

Our clinic dog, Mini, recovering  from dental surgery is being kept  warm using the Bair Hugger  Thermal Blanket system.

3. Why is bloodwork recommended prior to surgery?

Bloodwork allows the veterinarian to evaluate your pet's internal organ function, something which cannot be assessed during a general exam.  The liver, lungs or kidneys are responsible for clearing the anesthetics used during a procedure, so monitoring organ parameters can help minimize the risks of anesthetics by ensuring that these organs are functioning properly.  If you would like further information regarding anesthetic risks and how we can minimize the associated risks, please read the Anesthetic Risks page.

4. What safety precautions will be taken with my pet after surgery?

Your pet will be closely monitored by a staff member while waking up from surgery. Pets remain on oxygen support immediately after surgery then are moved to a warmed kennel for recovery.  Maintaining your pet on IV fluids throughout and after the surgery supports a smoother recovery.  In addition, as anesthetics can cause a decrease in body temperature, we provide your pet with a heating pad and warm blankets after surgery when necessary.

5. How will pain be controlled for my pet?

Proper pain control aids in the recovery of your pet.  The type of analgesic chosen is determined on an individual basis.  It can help your pet feel more comfortable, less stressed and aid in the reduction of inflammation.  Pain control should be done under a veterinarian's supervision only.  Medications that work for you may in fact be harmful or toxic to your pet. If your pet should seem painful at home after surgery, please contact your veterinary clinic.

6. Will I receive written post-surgical care instructions for my pet?

Post-operative care of a patient is an important part of the healing process.  When it is time for your pet to go home, you will have the opportunity to meet with the veterinarian or an animal health technician to discuss your pet's surgery and all homecare recommendations.  You will also be given written homecare instructions that you can review at home.  If you find you have questions or concerns after arriving home, please feel free to contact our clinic.

7.  Preparation of the patient

If your pet will be undergoing a procedure under a general anesthetic, we use a series of steps to help ensure the safety of your pet while at the same time helping to ease your pet's stress and anxiety. 

After your pet arrives, a pre-anesthetic exam will be done to ensure that your pet is prepared to undergo the recommended procedure.  In addition, pre-anesthetic bloodwork is usually done at this point to allow the veterinarian to review the results prior to any medications being given.  When it is time to begin preparation for your pet's surgery, he or she will be given the a pre-anesthetic sedation which will help decrease your pet's stress as well as provide some pre-emptive pain relief.  After this first injection has taken effect, a second injection will be given to induce anesthesia, which will allow us to place an endotracheal tube in your pet's airway.  This provides an unobstructed airway by which we can maintain the patient on a safe gas anesthetic mixed with oxygen. 

8.  Surgical preparation and attire of the surgeon and assistants

Once the patient is stable under the gas anesthetic, the surgical site is shaved and properly cleaned to ensure sterility.  Once the patient has been appropriately prepped, he or she is moved into the surgical suite.

During surgery, the surgeon and surgical assistants wear sterile gowns, caps, masks and gloves.  Sterile surgical drapes are used to cover non-sterile areas.  The animal health technician who is responsible for monitoring your pet during its surgery also wears a surgical mask and cap.

9.  Surgical instruments and supplies

Surgeries are performed in a sterile surgical suite.  This room is used only for surgeries in order to maintain a clean surgical environment.

The instruments used are of high quality and well cared for.  Instruments are used for one procedure only, then cleaned, lubricated and re-sterilized using a high-pressure, high-temperature autoclave.  Many of surgical supplies used come in pre-sterilize, single-use packages which are discarded after a single surgery. In addition, sterile suture material is used for single procedures only.