Client Information

Pre-anaesthetic blood tests

Pre-anaesthetic blood tests are recommended prior to any anaesthetic. This would be a blood sample taken on the morning of the procedure. The sample is commonly taken from the neck or the leg so your pet may have a shaved patch in one of these areas. Pre-anaesthetic blood tests, combined with a clinical exam, give us a full picture as to whether your pet is healthy enough to go under an anaesthetic. Pre-anaesthetic bloods are comprised of biochemistry and haematology. Haematology looks at red and white blood cells and biochemistry looks at kidney and liver functions. If anything abnormal is found, it can allow us to alter the anaesthetic to be safer for your pet and sometimes we may delay the anaesthetic whilst assessing any issues.

This is strongly recommended for older pets due to the increased likelihood of health problems. Screening younger pets can also allow earlier detection of problems which allows for earlier intervention to either treat or slow the progression of an illness. If nothing abnormal is found it still provides us with a normal baseline for comparison if your pet were to become unwell in the future.

Intravenous fluid therapy

Intravenous fluids are an important medical tool in unwell patients that are losing fluids faster than they are replacing then but fluids are also hugely beneficial for healthy patients undergoing anaesthesia. Fluids are administered via an intravenous catheter which is placed in any patient going under anaesthetic. The administration of fluids allows us to maintain hydration as patients undergoing anaesthesia will have been starved so can be mildly dehydrated. Fluids also play an important role in the control of blood pressure. Many of the anaesthetic drugs used cause a decrease in blood pressure so a controlled administration of fluids assists us in maintaining a blood pressure within safe parameters. A good blood pressure is vital to ensure that all organs are getting sufficient blood flow during surgery.

Pre-anaesthetic starving

Adult cats and dogs should be starved prior to an anaesthetic as anaesthetic drugs can commonly cause vomiting and this poses a risk of aspiration. Your pet can be fed up until midnight the night before having an anaesthetic but cannot have breakfast. Feeding your pet the morning of an anaesthetic will likely result in the procedure being rearranged. We kindly ask that you take dogs out for an opportunity to go to the toilet before they come in for the day.

Rabbits, guinea pigs and other small mammals should never be starved prior to an anaesthetic. If your rabbit is coming in for an anaesthetic, we ask that you bring their food with you. If they are a bonded bunny, we advise bringing the pair in as this reduces stress.

Puppies and kittens should not be starved for long periods of time so we advise feeding a small meal at 6am.

All pet should be allowed unlimited access to water until they are admitted to the practice.

Post-op recovery pack (gastro food)

The traditional recommendation of a ‘bland diet’ is no longer recommended as ingredients such as white fish or chicken and rice may not provide balanced and complete nutrition. A higher protein intake is required following surgery as the body uses proteins in wound healing. Appetite is sometimes reduced following surgery so a diet with a high energy density that is highly digestible is advised.