Pet Surgery: What You Need to Know
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Pet Surgery: What You Need to Know
Pet surgery may be routine, such as spay or neuter surgery, it may be elective surgery to improve your pet's quality of life (such as dog knee replacement), or it may occur in a medical emergency where the pet needs immediate surgical intervention. If you own a pet here are some things you'll want to know about surgery.
- Investigate the options.
- Ask if the surgical procedure can be done with a laser. Laser surgery is often less invasive and less traumatic.
- Compare costs. Whether between the surgical options for your pet or between pet surgeons.
Before Pet Surgery
- Follow the surgeon's instructions as to food and water your pet is allowed before surgery.
- In emergency pet surgery, be sure and let the medical staff know when your animal last ate or drank.
- You'll be required to complete forms authorizing the surgery and payment.
- You may bring your pet in for pre-op blood tests. Though an extra expense it helps the vet uncover any problems not readily apparent. Even apparently healthy animals can have serious organ problems that cannot be detected without blood testing.
- Make sure that the clinic has a current contact number for you.
After Pet Surgery
- After surgery, your animal should be given fluids to promote recovery.
- Your animal may also have to wear a special collar to prevent picking at the surgery site.
- Ask if you should restrict the pet's activity level to expedite recovery.
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| Lynne Christen |
