Unless you plan to breed your pet, we generally recommend having them spayed/neutered in a timely manner. This can help avoid problems such as mammary cancer, uterine infections, unwanted pregnancy, prostate enlargement, aggression, and roaming. If you plan to breed your pet, please visit our Reproductive page to learn more about how we can help make this a safe and positive process. We promote responsible breeding practices, and want to make sure that the mother dog/cat as well as her puppies/kittens receives the best of care. Click here to fill out our Anesthesia/Surgery consent form before coming in for your pet's procedure.
Whether we are performing a spay/neuter or more complex surgeries Anderson's Corner Animal Hospital always operates with your pet's safety in mind. That is why we always use the "A.C.A.H 11 Steps for Safe Anesthesia"
1. Physical Examination & History - We have to make sure that every patient is healthy enough to handle anesthesia. If an underlying problem is noted during the exam and/or history, we can then decide whether surgery is still an option, and what needs to be addressed to minimize the risk.
2. Breed Specific Predispositions - Some breeds are prone to certain diseases and adverse reactions to specific drugs. We therefore individualize their anesthetic protocol to make it as safe as possible.
3. Pre-Anesthetic Blood Panel - This allows us to evaluate organ function and detect early problems that may not be apparent on physical examination. Adjustments with anesthesia and medication protocols can be used to minimize the risk of anesthesia if a problem is noted.
4. Modern Anesthetic Drugs - These are used for premedication, induction, gas maintenance, and the postoperative time frame. We utilize many of the same drugs used in human hospitals. For example, local anesthesia such as epidurals and bupivacaine, induction agents such as propofol, and systemic pain management drugs such as oxymorphone and buprenorphine are used on a daily basis.
5. Sterilization - After the appropriate clipping and scrubbing of the surgical site in the treatment room, we also perform a second 'sterile' room scrub after transport into the operation room.
6. Surgical Scrub Room - We have our own separate surgical prep room that allows the veterinarians and technicians to scrub and gown up in an extremely clean environment. This is where gowns, gloves, masks, and shoe covers are put on. Only then do we enter the operating room. All of the sterilization of instruments also occurs in this room.
7. Operation Room - Our spacious operating room is thoroughly cleaned between surgeries, has modern surgical lighting, and positive-out ventilation to minimize air contamination.
8. Technician Monitoring - This is the most vital part of the entire anesthetic process. Anesthetic depth, pulse quality, heart rate, pain control, temperature, etc. are evaluated and recorded. Any problems or concerning trends are addressed immediately.
9. IV Fluids and Additives – Every major surgery receives an IV catheter and fluids during the procedure. This allows maintenance of blood pressure and tissue perfusion during long periods of anesthesia.
10. Advanced Monitoring Equipment - We have some of the most modern anesthetic monitoring equipment for your pet while they are under anesthesia.
11. Postoperative Care - Most anesthetic complications occur after the surgery is over. This is why we have treatment sheets and monitor your pet's vital signs closely during the recovery process. Many surgical procedures require overnight monitoring and hospitalization to ensure appropriate recovery before discharge.