Anesthesia can be a scary time for many of our clients and patients.  While every anesthetic episode carries some risk, the staff of the Gaffney Animal Hospital strives to do everything we can to minimize that risk.  

Before Surgery:  Bloodwork is recommended prior to anesthesia to detect abnormalities in liver or kidney function, dehydration, anemia, infection, or abnormal blood sugar level to determine whether your pet is healthy enough for anesthesia.  Preoperative pain medications are administered to help keep your pet comfortable during surgery and decrease the amount of pain medication they require postoperatively. 

During Surgery:  Multiple drug protocols allow us to tailor the anesthesia to an individual animal's needs and conditions.  Intravenous catheterization and IV fluids during surgery help maintain hydration and blood pressure and for immediate vein access in the event of an emergency.    During anesthesia, patients are monitored using an EKG to monitor heart electrical activity, Pulse oximeter to measure blood oxygen level, and Doppler to measure blood pressure.  A veterinary assistant is assigned to each surgery patient and is responsible for monitoring anesthesia from beginning to end.

After Surgery:  Patients are evaluated for pain using our pain scoring system and administered additional pain medications as needed.  Each pet is covered with a soft blanket and provided with a warm rice bag or hot water bottle to keep them comfortable.  Patients are checked a minimum of every 15 minutes after surgery until they are released to go home. 

At home: Patients are generally released the same day of surgery.  Our staff will provide you with complete list of at home care instructions at the time of discharge.  Pain medications to go home are highly encouraged.