What do you need to know before your dog has surgery?
Well mainly, there are a few indications for surgery that we really recommend undergoing procedures. So certain lumps and bumps, like skin tumors such as mast cell tumors, we do want those off and usually send them to a lab to see what kind of grade they are. Even benign tumors like lymphomas or sebaceous adenomas that are in inconvenient areas of the body or have gotten too large, we will recommend removal of those. Certainly, there are emergency situations that require surgery, such as if your dog got into a fight or has any kind of laceration that needs to be sutured. We will have surgery done then. Other situations include removing stones, which is called a cystotomy, from the bladder. If your dog eats something and it is stuck in the stomach or intestine, that requires surgical removal. Sometimes we will do surgeries to help diagnose issues; for example, if we have really high liver values, we may go in and get a biopsy of the liver to figure out what is going on.
Will your dog need lab work prior to surgery?
Yes, we do recommend lab work for dogs under six, although it is not required. If they are in ill health, experiencing symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, or weight loss, we may push harder, even on young dogs, to have a comprehensive lab work panel run. For older dogs, which we consider age six and above, especially for large breeds, we really want lab work done to screen for kidney or liver disease that may need additional attention. It may or may not be related to the surgery, but lab work is often when we catch those things starting to happen.
Does my dog need to see a specialist for their surgery?
For most things, no. We can handle simple mass removals, spays, neuters, foreign object surgeries, and stone removals. However, if your dog needs orthopedic surgery, they will have to see a specialist. If your dog needs something complicated, like a rare tumor type that may require more tissue taken to achieve margins, or if it's in a very awkward spot, like the top of the elbow, we may refer you to a specialty center for those types of surgeries.
What will my veterinarian be looking for in the pre-surgery lab work?
Primarily, we are looking at liver and kidney values to ensure your dog is safe to undergo anesthesia. We may also be looking at platelet values because low platelets can indicate excessive bleeding during surgery. In an emergency situation, like a foreign body, we will check for hydration levels as dehydration can affect the surgical outcome. In acute events, like a dog attack, we will look for markers of shock and try to treat those before anesthesia.
Who will be monitoring my dog while under anesthesia?
This depends on the clinic, but here we have a technician monitoring and taking values every 10 to 15 minutes during the procedure. The veterinarian is usually attentive to the EKG pulse ox and any alarms from the machine. We do EKG readings to check the heart's electrical activity. We have an SPO2 monitor to check oxygenation during surgery, ensuring your pet maintains a high level of oxygen. We also monitor blood pressure and run fluids throughout the surgery to maintain perfusion, as blood pressure tends to drop during surgery. We ensure blood is going to all tissues to keep everything healthy under anesthesia.
How long will my dog need to recover after having surgery?
General healing time is about two weeks. Some surgeries may take longer, and any complications can extend the recovery period. The most common issue we see, especially on limbs, is dehiscence, which can prolong recovery.
How can I help my dog recover at home after surgery?
Rest is crucial, making sure there's not too much movement over the incision. Keeping a barrier device like an e-collar on to prevent access to the incision is important. For more serious surgeries like a foreign body, there will be modifications in diet and feeding frequency that the owner needs to follow.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (256) 216-4780, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram