Click on any link to find out more about that particular aspect of our work and what happens to your pet.

 

Blood Tests

Dental Work

X-Rays

 

The Operation, including

Pre-operation check, Inducing Anaesthesia, Stabilising and Monitoring, Operation and Recovery

 

Blood testing

At the Animal Health Centre we regularly take blood samples from pets. Blood samples are usually taken from a vein in the front leg (cephalic vein) or in the neck (jugular vein). A small area of hair will be clipped off and it is a small procedure that most pets tolerate without any problems.

We take blood samples for a number of reasons

1) To diagnose diseases.

Blood testing is one way to assess organ function and identify if one or more organs are showing signs of damage. Some tests can be run "in house" (eg biochemistry and haematology) but some are sent to external laboratories. (eg thyroid tests) Blood tests will also identify abnormalities in white blood cells (eg infection raises white blood cell counts) and red blood cells (eg anaemia will reduce red blood cell counts)

2) To monitor the progress of a condition

Repeated testing will assess if measurements are going up or down and this is one way to assess the success of treatment and a response to medication.

3) Prior to a general anaesthetic

General anaesthesia does place some stress on the animal's system and it is important that we are aware of any underlying problems that may be present but that do not show up as clinical changes. Our "in house" laboratory equipment allows immediate testing of samples with results in 10-15 minutes.

By testing blood chemistry in this way we can evaluate the status of your pet's organs. The function of liver and kidneys is especially important because these organs process and metabolise the drugs used during anaesthesia

Results of these tests will determine your pet's fitness for a procedure and may cause us to adjust our doses and choice of drugs for that procedure. At times we may choose to delay a procedure to initiate treatment first in order to improve the health of a pet in order to minimise any risks associated with an anaesthetic.

 

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Dental Work -- Pets have teeth too!

Periodontal disease
Periodontal (gum) disease is one of the most common conditions seen by vets today. The problem begins when plaque and tartar are allowed to build up on your pets teeth. Plaque harbors bacteria which can infect gum tissue and the roots of teeth resulting in disease and tooth loss. Bacteria can also enter the bloodstream through the large network of blood vessels located near gums and teeth. Recent studies have shown that the presence of chronic pockets of infection can spread and cause disease and damage to the heart liver and kidneys.

Veterinary attention
When things have gone this far your pet needs a general anaesthetic to scrape off any tartar and plaque, remove any loose or damaged teeth and polish the surfaces of remaining sound teeth. Unlike ourselves, this can only be done under general anaesthesia and this is a major factor that conributes to the cost of dental work in pets.
Our dental equipment is much the same as human equipment with an ultrasonic scaler being used to loosen and dislodge tartar from all surfaces. We will then use an electric or air driven polisher to polish the surfaces with polishing paste. Your pet can not rinse and flush the debris away but we can do this while your pet is asleep.

Home care.
Once your pet's mouth has been restored then a programme of home care will help to keep it this way and extend the period between anaesthetics. Daily brushing : This is the most effective way to remove plaque and tooth brushes and paste are available for pets. Only brushing will remove plaque and food debris below the gum line where disease causing bacteria flourish. Use of oral antiseptic gels : When brushing is not practical antibacterial gels will help to slow down the accumulation of plaque. Use of dental chews : Specially treated abrasive dental chews are an alternative to daily brushing in those pets who are less compliant. Choice of diets : Diet can be a major factor and soft sticky foods will contribute to plaque build up. Dry food biscuits and newly formulated abrasive diets (Hills Prescription T/D) can be helpful in removing plaque above the gum line.

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Radiography (Xrays).

Radiography is an extremely useful tool to help us in diagnosing disease in your pets and it helps us "visualise" what is happening inside your pets body. Radiation can be harmfull and its effects are cumulative. There is no problem if a pet (or ourselves for that matter) are exposed to radiation on a few occasions but operators must avoid exposure because repeated exposure will lead to harmful effects.

Thus when we xray your pet we must not expose ourselves and so we can not physically restrain your pet. Thus we use chemical restraint (sedatives and anasthesia) and the use of sandbags to support and weigh down limbs. With patience most pets will co operate and allow themselves to be restrained in this way but if not, or the condition is painful, we will resort to general anaesthesia. This is monitored in exactly the same way as an operation and heart and lung function are monitored by nursing staff with heart rates, breathing rates, oxygen levels and blood pressure being recorded every five minutes.

At Coulby Newham our xray machine has a moving table so once your pet is comfortable we can move the table top without having to move your pet so that position remains constant. We also have an automatic processor which makes life easier for our nursing staff and also makes for more consistent and better quality xrays.

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Preparation for Surgery

To avoid contamination of the operating theatre, hair is clipped from the site of the operation in the "Prep Room" before the animal is transferred to the operating theatre. Once transferred, the animal is positioned for the operation and the surgical site is prepared using a standardised aseptic technique. In an endeavour to maintain maximum sterility the operating veterinary surgeon will wear a surgical gown and "scrub up" thoroughly before performing surgery. In addition our vets will wear sterile gloves, gowns and hats for some procedures.

Anaesthetic Induction

A pre medication is always given prior to anaesthesia. These drugs are usually combinations of a sedative and a painkiller and are given by intra muscular injection. Painkilling drugs eg morphine are more effective if they are given before pain is perceived and premedication reduces anxiety which helps your pet relax and makes for a smoother anaesthetic induction and recovery. Premedication also reduces the overall dose of anaesthetic agent leading to a more rapid recovery.

Basing their decision on age, temperament, general condition, and blood test results, the veterinary surgeon will select the safest and most suitable combination of pre medication and anaesthetic drugs for your pet.

Anaesthesia is induced in the "Prep Room" and is usually, though not always, injected intravenously into a vein in the forelg. Modern anaesthetic agents are used (propofol) which is a milky emulsion and the onset of anaesthesia is rapid (within seconds).

After anaesthesia is induced your pet will be intubated and a tube will be placed in the trachea which ensures we can supply oxygen and anaesthetic gases and ventilate your pet if needed. Room air normally contains 20% oxygen but anaesthetic gases will contain higher levels of oxygen ranging from 33% to 100% to ensure adequate oxygen supply to tissues in the anaesthetised patient. The presence of a tube also protects the airway and will stop the patient inhaling saliva, regurgitated stomach contents or blood.

Anaesthetic Stabilisation

All surgical procedures requiring general anaesthesia will be carried out by a veterinary surgeon and a minimum of one assisting nurse. The initial period of anaesthesia is usually in our prep room where your pet makes the transition from being conscious to being anaesthetised in a stable and predictable way.

Once induced your pet will be intubated, i.e. a tube is inserted into the trachea to allow us to accurately regulate the intake of gaseous maintenance anaesthetic. The tube has a cuff which seals the airway and prevents any stomach conents and saliva from entering the lungs.

A pulse oximeter is attached to measure heart rate and blood oxygen saturation, and our Blood Pressure monitor is attached to measure heart rate and blood pressure. In addition to this, heart, respiratory rates and vital signs are all independently monitored by the assisting nurse and recorded every five minutes.

Anaesthetic levels are adjusted and level of consciousness is fine tuned until deep enough for the planned procedure. Your pet will be asleep and non responsive to stimuli but with stable and effective cardiovascular function which maintains blood supply to all organs. Once staff are content that all is well with the patient, preparation for surgery can begin.

The Operation

To ensure sterility is maintained, the prepared surgical site is surrounded with sterile drapes before surgery commences. The veterinary surgeon will perform the operation, assisted by a nurse where necessary.

All previously mentioned monitoring is continued and recorded throughout the surgery, allowing us to detect and deal with any problem or complication as it arises. Your pet will remain in the operating theatre until reflexes return and will then be transferred to the recovery area as consciousness returns.

Recovery from an anaesthetic.

Use of modern anaesthetic drugs mean that recovery from an anaesthetic is usually smooth and rapid.

Your pet will be closely and carefully supervised in recovery following it's surgery to ensure that it is as comfortable as possible. Blankets and pain relieving drugs are routinely provided post operatively.

A drink of water will be offered as soon as recovery is complete and animals which are being colleced late in the day will be taken out and given an opportunity to relieve themselves during the afternoon.

Admission for treatment an intensive care

If your pet is poorly we need to hospitalise them in order to treat them more effectively. This may be to treat shook following an accident or o treat with intra venous fluids if your pet is not eating or drinking or unable to keep anything down.

Intensive treatment usually involves cage rest in a warm kennel and intra venous drips. We use infusion pumps which will deliver a measured amount of fluid over a given period and we will have worked out your pets fluid requirements based on your pet's weight and the condition being treated.

Overnight treatment and observation will vary depending on the condition. For a comfortable pet not on intravenous fluids we may simply call back once or twice to allow the pet to empty bowels and bladder but more seriosly ill pets may require 100% attention from the duty nurse all night. At all times we have a duty nurse and our nurse will contact our duty vet if the situation changes so your pets will get an appropriate level of care at all times in all circumstances.

Ready for Home after an operation.

On collection your pet will be fully conscious and able to walk.

You will be given advice re post operative care and a member of the veterinary or nursing staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

A nurse will telephone a day or two after the operation to ensure that you are happy that your pet is recovering well

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Ready for Home after an illness.

On collection your pet may not be fully recovered but will be well enough to cope with food and water by mouth and owner support. You will be given advice about ongoing treatment and care and instructions about how to give any medication that may have been given. A member of our veterinary or nursing staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have about treatment or blood tests etc.

A nurse will telephone a day or two after your pet has gone home to ensure that you are happy that your pet is recovering well and things are going according to plan. Disease processes are hard to predict but good communication between owner and practice will ensure that treatment is optimal and your pets are given the best chance to recover.

 

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