Your pet is coming to us for administration of a general anaesthetic. Whilst there is always a risk with any anaesthetic we will do everything possible to minimise that risk and take the greatest possible care.

By explaining the protocol we use to you, we hope to lessen any anxieties you may have, but please feel free to ask any questions relating to the procedure being undertaken.

To reduce the risk to your pet during anaesthesia it is important that the stomach is empty prior to administration. To achieve this we ask for no food to be eaten from 6pm on the night prior to the anaesthetic. (Occasionally, for medical reasons you may receive different advice from this in which case please follow the instructions issued by the veterinary surgeon). In order to achieve this it is necessary to keep cats indoors as otherwise they will try to help themselves to next doors tea or catch breakfast!

Please walk you dog prior to admission if practically possible so that they urinate and pass a motion. Also try to avoid muddy water is possible, if surgery is to be performed cleanliness is essential to reduce post operative complications.

Wherever possible we try to perform anaesthetics at the optimum time to ensure a successful outcome. Therefore in older patients it may be advised that a preoperative blood test be performed. This test allows us to assess how well the liver and kidneys are functioning. As part of the anaesthetic is processed through these organs it is important that we know how well they are working. If a weakness is highlighted an intravenous drip may be recommended both prior to and during the procedure.

As a routine animals are admitted on the morning selected for the operation. They are weighed and then examined to ensure no changes have occurred since they were last seen and this includes a check of the heart. A premedicant is then administered. This contains two drugs, the first is a sedative and the second a painkiller. Once this has taken effect then the patient is ready for administration of the anaesthetics.