Are anaesthetics safe?
All anaesthetics carry a small risk. We minimise this risk to our patients in a number of ways:

Pre-anaesthetic checks - the vet always examines a patient before giving an anaesthetic.

Pre-anaesthetic screen - this blood and urine test is offered to all owners for their pets and is particularly useful for picking up unsuspected problems, for example kidney trouble, anaemia and diabetes.

Choosing the right anaesthetic - in general, we use a short acting injected agent, given straight into the blood stream, and follow this with anaesthetic gas. We can also use Rapinovet, which is widely used in human medicine and gives a rapid and more pleasant recovery. This may cost extra but will always be offered if it is thought appropriate, or if specifically requested.

Patient monitoring - this is the most important part of giving an anaesthetic. All cases are monitored by a trained nurse throughout the procedure, using modern techniques and equipment. An ECG monitor records the electrical activity of the heart and a Pulse Oximeter records the pulse rate and the oxygen level in the blood. Patients are kept in our recovery area, intensive care unit or on the wards until the veterinary surgeon is happy that recovery is progressing well, and only then are they allowed home.

We try to send animals home to their own familiar environment as soon as we can, and often sooner than a person would be discharged from hospital. Please follow carefully all the instructions given to you for the recovery period, and do not hesitate to ring if you are concerned or unsure about any aspect of the recovery - we always have a nurse or vet available for you to speak with. We are, of course, happy to hospitalise patients for longer if you wish.

Is my pet too old to have an anaesthetic?
Age is not a barrier to anaesthesia, and we often give anaesthetics to very old animals (even 19-20 year olds!) with few problems. It is the presence of disease that increases the risk, hence the importance of the pre-anaesthetic screen. In fact, older animals are more likely to need to have an anaesthetic, as they develop problems such as bad teeth and gums, tumours, etc. The longer these problems are left, the worse they get until they can become life threatening, so don't delay seeking treatment or having an operation because your pet is old - the disease may cause much more trouble than the anaesthetic. It is also now well established that bad teeth can cause kidney, heart and chest problems as well as a sore mouth. Of course, every case is assessed individually, and if you have any worries or questions please ask the vet or one of the Veterinary Health Advisors before making any decisions.

What do I do before I bring my pet in?
An empty stomach is essential, so give no food after 8pm the night before. Cats should be shut in so they do not hunt. Water should be freely available. If you are not sure whether your pet has eaten, please say so.

Please allow your pet to spend a penny, if possible, before coming to the surgery. For safety's sake have your dogs on leads, and cats in baskets.

What happens after I leave my pet with you?
Usually, patients are admitted on the morning of the operation. Fairly soon after admission, if a pre-anaesthetic screen has been requested, the blood sample is taken and tested in our lab. The results are then examined by a vet who will ring you to discuss them. Please make sure that you leave us a daytime telephone number for this reason. A premed will then be given. This is an injection which reduces the patient's anxiety and counteracts some of the side effects of the general anaesthetic. A pain killing drug may also be given at this time, so that it is working during the procedure and after the animal wakes up. Within 10-20 minutes, the patient is usually relaxed and may be quite sleepy.

When we are ready to start the procedure, the Induction drug is given. This is usually injected into the vein on the front of the leg, after clipping away a small amount of hair. The injection is given quickly and your pet usually becomes unconscious in just a few seconds. A tube is then passed into the trachea (windpipe) and connected to a gas anaesthetic machine, supplying measured amounts of oxygen, nitrous oxide and halothane or isofluorane (the anaesthetic gases) directly to the patient.

Surgical operations are carried out in a fully equipped dedicated theatre using sterile procedures. As soon as the procedure is finished, pure oxygen is given, and the patient usually starts to wake up within a few minutes. The tube is removed and recovery is monitored by the vet and nurse until the patient is well awake and ready to go home. Further pain killing drugs may be given if necessary.

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We understand how worried you are when you have to leave your pet for an operation. Do ask to be shown round the operating department and wards if you wish to see how we work, and on the day - do phone to check on progress rather than sit at home wondering how things are going.