A referral appointment has been made for you to see one of our referral vets.

We understand that bringing your pet and leaving it for an operation may be a very stressful situation for you and we will try to help you and your pet to cope as well as possible.

Please take a look at our about us page for more practice information.

Before Coming to the Surgery

Most operations performed on pets involve the administration of a general anaesthetic. All anaesthetics carry a slight risk which we endeavour to keep to a minimum by the use of modern drugs, techniques, equipment and the continuous, careful, patient monitoring by highly trained nurses.

1. To prepare for a general anaesthetic it is necessary for your pet to have an empty stomach. Please ensure that the last meal is fed before 11pm. Drinking water should always be freely available.
2. Please allow ample opportunity for your pet to empty their bowels and bladder before coming to the surgery.
3. If your pet is showing any signs of being unwell, it may be better to postpone the appointment. Please contact us to discuss any doubts that you may have.
4. Please ensure that your dog’s coat is dry and clean to reduce the risk of contamination and postoperative infection.
5. If your pet is on regular medication please continue this as normal and let the nurse know when it was last given.
6. We have now seen several cases of Lungworm (A.vasorum) at the surgery. This parasite affects blood clotting and to minimise the risk of your dog being affected please, where possible, treat them with Advocate® 1-2 weeks before their appointment. (see separate handout for more information)

On Admission

On arrival your pet will be seen by the vet or nurse on duty and they will fill out the consent form with you. It may help you to give some thought to the following matters before you come.

1. Contact telephone numbers where we can reach you throughout the day.
2. Pre-anaesthetic blood test – we offer this to all patients undergoing anaesthesia and you will be able to discuss this with the nurse or vet. It is a screening test that may alert us to pre-existing problems which are not yet showing as clinical signs but may lead to complications. This is particularly important for older pets whose organs may be beginning to show signs of “wear and tear”. The results will help us to choose the most suitable sedative and anaesthetic, to decide whether an intravenous drip is needed, or might lead us to recommend postponement and treatment. The cost of this blood test is £64.88 including VAT.
3. Other procedures you may like us to carry out whilst your pet is anaesthetised:
   • Nail clipping
   • Ear examination
   • Identichip implant
   • Anal gland emptying
   • Anything else? Please discuss this with the nurse/vet on admission.
4. We want your pet to be as happy and comfortable as possible with us – please let us know of any particular likes, dislikes, fears and special words of command which will help us to care for them.
5. When you arrive you will be asked to read and sign an anaesthetic consent form which has the following wording:

“I hereby give permission for the administration of an anaesthetic to the above animal and to the performance of such surgical and/or other procedures as may prove necessary. I understand that all anaesthetics and surgical procedures involve some risk to the animal. I understand that payment is due at the time the animal is discharged. Estimates are given in good faith but cannot be considered binding”

Collection Times

In general, patients are ready to go home in the late afternoon but we are open until 7pm. Please let us know if you have any preferences as to when you can collect your pet. Pets undergoing myelography will stay in for at least one night.

After Admission

Your pet is weighed, so that drug doses can be accurately calculated, and settled into a comfortable kennel. The blood sample (if appropriate) is taken and tested. The results help us to select the most suitable sedatives and anaesthetic. A sedative is given to relax your pet and to ensure a smooth induction and recovery from anaesthesia. A powerful painkiller may also be given at this stage to provide pain relief for 24 hours. A small patch of hair is clipped on the foreleg and a shortacting intravenous anaesthetic is injected. Once asleep, a breathing tube is passed into the windpipe, allowing oxygen and a gaseous anaesthetic to be given. This system provides a precise way to control anaesthetic depth for as long as is required, and a rapid, smooth and comfortable recovery. Please note that as a result of the intubation your pet may feel some throat discomfort and may cough for a day or so.

Going Home

Please telephone the surgery at 4pm, unless we have contacted you before, to enquire about your pet and arrange a time for collection.

Please prepare a comfortable bed for your pet, in quiet surroundings, to allow them to rest and recover fully from the anaesthetic and the surgery. Cats must be kept indoors overnight for their own safety. If this is a problem, you may prefer that your pet stays with us. We have nurses on duty throughout the night.

Feeding

it is best to feed a light evening meal e.g. chicken or fish and rice. We can provide you with a tinned recovery food which is ideal for the purpose.

We are proud of our ward accommodation and surgical suite. If you would like to be shown around, please let us know and we will arrange a visit.

Payment – It is our policy that all operations should be paid for, in full, at the time of collection.

In certain circumstances we will accept a signed insurance claim form for the company to pay the claim directly to us. You will still be required to pay your insurance excess at the time. If you do not have a claim form, please do not be offended if you are asked to pay at the time. We accept cash, cheques, Visa and Mastercard

If you have any questions about your pet’s operation please telephone 01380 728505 to discuss them.