Note: If your pet is scheduled for surgery please click here for your Surgical Information Packet
The doctors at VCA Murphy Road Animal Hospital understand the responsibility of performing surgery on your pet. We want to tell you that we take this responsibility very, very seriously and we are committed to providing the safest and most comfortable surgical experience that we can for your companion.
The morning that your pet arrives for the operation, an examination will be performed by your doctor for any previously unrecognized problems. If we have not already performed pre-surgical blood work, with your permission we will perform blood tests including complete red and white blood cell counts, hemoglobin measurement, hematocrit, and differential counts. Kidney, liver, blood glucose levels and total protein will be measured to help ensure the safety of anesthesia.
An intravenous fluid line will be started in your pet's leg. Your pet will receive an intravenous injection of a short acting anesthetic and a tube will be placed in the trachea to keep the airway open during the operation. The tube will then be connected to a machine that will provide a safe gas anesthetic to keep your pet free of pain during the surgery. A heart monitor and an instrument that measures blood oxygen levels, CO2 levels and blood pressure will be attached to allow us to better monitor vital signs during the operation. A patient warming device will be used to regulate body temperature.
The surgical site will be clipped, scrubbed, and painted with an antibacterial solution to assure sterility.
We will then make the required incision(s) and carefully and skillfully perform the surgery.
An option that we have is the use of a "state-of-the-art" CO2 surgical laser. We are pleased to offer laser surgery as an exciting new option for safe, comfortable treatment. In many procedures the laser can replace the scalpel and provide a better alternative to traditional surgery. We believe that the laser is a better alternative to the standard surgical scalpel.
The advantages are:
The use of the laser for some surgeries is optional. With other surgical procedures the benefits to the patient in the form of reduced pain are so significant that we could not in good conscience perform the procedure in any other way. This equipment, as you might imagine, is costly to purchase and maintain, thus there is an additional fee for its use.
After your pet's operation is completed the anesthesia machine will be disconnected and your pet will be carefully observed until fully awake. With your permission a narcotic pain patch will be applied to the skin or an injection will be given, providing post-operative pain relief.
Some pets will be released to go home the same day and some will be kept overnight for further treatment.