Taking your pet to the veterinarian for surgery can be scary.  We'll take some of the mystery away from what happens when you drop your pet off at the clinic, and give you some facts about the kinds of things to ask your vet prior to any anesthetized procedure. 

First off is a pre-operative physical examination along with bloodwork when indicated. Bloodwork is generally indicated for animals 6 years of age or older or pets who have some type of medical condition that warrants checking the liver and/or kidney function prior to being placed under anesthesia.  

Next, we administer pre-anesthetic medication to calm your pet and ease pain. We give a quick injection so your pet will become sleepy.  An intravenous catheter (IV) is placed in your pet's leg vein.  This gives the medication that puts your pet under anesthesia, and also use it for emergency drugs in the unlikely event they are needed. Finally, we place a tube through the mouth into the trachea (windpipe) to control the airway and give your pet oxygen and gas anesthesia.

Pets are monitored every minute they are under anesthesia.  Monitoring includes heart rate, respiration rate, temperature, pulse oximetry (blood oxygen saturation), and capnography (carbon dioxide levels) at a minimum, and blood pressure and electrocardiograph (ECG) monitoring when warranted. This advanced monitoring allows subtle changes to be made to the anesthetic gas level, which helps ensure your pet is kept as safe as possible when under anesthesia.  

Also, clinics should have a dedicated nurse whose sole job it is to monitor anesthesia and your pet, from the minute they are placed under anesthesia until they wake up!

Finally, you should receive a call to let you know your pet is waking up. Your pet continues to be monitored once they have come out of anesthesia until they're able to be up and about on their own.  If your pet appears uncomfortable at all, additional pain medications are administered as needed to ensure your pet remains free of pain.