At Baker's Bridge Veterinary Clinic patient safety is a top priority. In our separate surgery room, we follow the strictest protocols to prevent contamination from pathogens and minimize the risk of infection.


Is the anesthetic safe?

Today's modern anesthetic monitors have made surgery much safer than in the past. Here at Baker's Bridge Veterinary Clinic, we do a thorough physical exam on your pet before administering anesthetics, to ensure that a fever or other illness won't be a problem. We also adjust the amount and type of anesthetic used depending on the health of your pet. The handout on anesthesia explains this in greater detail.

Pre-anesthetic blood testing is important in reducing the risk of anesthesia. Every pet needs blood testing before surgery to ensure that the liver and kidneys can handle the anesthetic. Even apparently healthy animals can have serious organ system problems that cannot be detected without blood testing. If there is a problem, it is much better to find it before it causes anesthetic or surgical complications. Animals that have minor dysfunction will handle the anesthetic better if they receive IV fluids during surgery. If serious problems are detected, surgery can be postponed until the problem is corrected.

We offer three levels of in-house blood testing before surgery, which we will go over with you when you bring your pet in. Our doctors prefer the more comprehensive screen, because it gives them the most information to ensure the safety of your pet. For geriatric or ill pets, additional blood tests, electrocardiograms, or x-rays may be required before surgery as well.

It is important that surgery be done on an empty stomach to reduce the risk of vomiting during and after anesthesia. You will need to withhold food for at least 8 to 10 hours before surgery. Water can be left down for the pet until the morning of surgery.


Will my pet have stitches?

For many surgeries, we are able to use absorbable sutures below the skin which dissolve on their own, but for others, such as tumor removals, skin stitches are required. Skin sutures will usually be removed 10 to 14 days after surgery. With both types, the incision will need to be monitored closely for swelling or discharge. Depending on the type of procedure, your pet's activity level should be limited for a week or two. It's extremely important to prevent your pet from licking excessively or chewing at the incision and avoid bathing them for the first 10 days after surgery.

Animals experience pain just like humans do, although they may not show the same symptoms. Whether or not your pet will need pain medication depends on the surgery performed as major procedures will likely require more pain relief.

For dogs, we may recommend an oral anti-inflammatory for several days after surgery to reduce discomfort and swelling. Newer medications are formulated to be less likely to cause stomach upset and can be given even the morning of surgery. Narcotic patches are also an option for some canine surgeries and the cost will depend on the size of the dog.

Pain relief for cats is tricky as they cannot have standard pain medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or Tylenol. Your cat will be given an injection 10 minutes prior to surgery to help relieve pain. After surgery, we will assess your cat's condition and give pain medication as needed.

Injectable pain medications may also be used after surgery on both dogs and cats and any animal that appears painful will receive additional pain medication.

While your pet is under anesthesia we can perform other minor procedures, such as dentistry, ear cleaning, or implanting an identification microchip. Please inquire prior to the day of surgery if you would like an estimate for any extra services, especially if the person dropping the pet off is not the primary decision maker for the pet's care.

On the day of the surgery, please arrive 5-10 minutes early to complete paperwork and make decisions about blood testing and other options. Plan to spend about 10 minutes going over your pet's home care needs when you pick your pet up.

We will call you the night before your surgery appointment to confirm the drop-off time and answer any questions you have. In the meantime, please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions about your pet's health or upcoming surgery.


What other decisions do I need to make?

While your pet is under anesthesia, it is the ideal time to perform other minor procedures, such as dentistry, ear cleaning, or implanting an identification microchip. If you would like an estimate for these extra services, please call ahead of time. This is especially important if the person dropping the pet off for surgery is not the primary decision maker for the pet's care.

When you bring your pet in for surgery, we will need to 5 to 10 minutes of time to fill out paperwork and make decisions on the blood testing and other options available. When you pick up your pet after surgery you can also plan to spend about 10 minutes to go over your pet's home care needs.

We will call you the night before your scheduled surgery appointment, to confirm the time you will be dropping your pet off and to answer any questions you might have. In the meantime, please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions about your pet's health or surgery.


Additional resources