Preoperative health check
How important is it to your pet?
The health examination is divided into general physical examinations.
and laboratory testing
General physical examination includes observing the color of the mucosa, physical examination, and listening to lung sounds.
Listening to the sound and rhythm of the heart, feeling the pulse
Laboratory tests include a complete blood count.
(measure red blood cell/white blood cell/platelet levels), blood test to check liver and kidney function, blood electrolyte test (especially in emergency surgery such as stomach twist, surgery in lung disease), X-rays, general ultrasound, and heart ultrasound.
Electrocardiogram, urine test, etc.
Prior to surgery, fasting is recommended.
and water for at least 8 – 12 hours
Because when the body is in an anesthetic state, the sphincter muscles are relaxed. This may cause the pet to choke on food or fluid from the stomach into the trachea, causing choking and being life-threatening.
But water restrictions have exceptions in
That is, you should not abstain from water for more than 3 hours.
Since young animals still have an incomplete water balance mechanism in their bodies, withholding water for too long without providing replacement fluids may cause young animals to become dehydrated.
Clean the skin area as much as possible before surgery.
In cases where the surgery is not urgent or where there is time to prepare the animal and the animal is in good health
For example, for sterilization surgery or skin tumor surgery, owners may bathe their pets 1 day in advance.
To keep your pet as clean as possible during surgery. However, if your pet is in poor health,
For example, if a dog has purulent uterine inflammation or a cat gets hit by a car and has a broken leg, then there is no need to bathe. A brief cleaning and wiping of stains is sufficient because the veterinarian will shave the fur and wash the pet's skin with disinfectant before surgery anyway. Preparing the surface before surgery to be clean is to prevent infection from the skin into the surgical wound.
Because some surgeries have medical costsQuite high
such as Thoracic surgery Surgery to correct certain types of fractures, neurological surgery
Laparoscopic surgery for intestinal resection Which pets need to stay for further treatment
At the animal hospital as recommended by the veterinarian. Therefore, before deciding on surgery, the owner has the right to have the veterinarian roughly estimate the cost so that we can prepare the exact cost for the treatment.
Be prepared to accept the risks of anesthesia.
The unconscious state is actually similar to the state when animals are in deep sleep.
Because when unconscious, the body will have a heart rate and pulse.
Including breathing that will be slower than normal due to the effects of anesthesia.
But only thatProblems that cause animals to undergo surgery increase the risk of anesthesia.
For example, Dogs coming for sterilization There is less risk of anesthesia.
Dogs that underwent cesarean section and dogs that underwent thoracic surgery, respectively.
in additionThe age of the dog also affects the anesthesia given.too
For example
Adult dogs are less at risk of anesthesia than younger and older dogs, respectively.
TIP
ExamineVeterinarians are advised of post-operative care and post-operative complications.
Since surgery may not solve the problem completely, medical treatment and close owner supervision are required. Remember that the success of treatment is half the doctor's and half the owner's.
Preoperative health screening of animals will help veterinarians assess the risks of anesthesia, select the type of anesthesia, prepare the appropriate tools or equipment for the surgery, and anticipate and prepare for risks that may occur while the animal is under anesthesia.
Post-operative pet care
Most dogs after surgery start to recover, they are happy that they survived and can relax. Little do they know that it is the beginning of a difficult task for more than 7 days. The owner must prepare themselves, mentally, and prepare for nursing and taking care of the dog.
- Prevent dogs from gnawing, picking, or licking the surgical wound. This is the most important thing because some dogs gnaw until the wound breaks open. Therefore, you must take care of it and prevent it by using a chew collar or wearing a compression garment.
- Do not let the wound get wet, dirty, or festering with urine and feces.
- Be careful that other dogs will come to help bite, pick, and lick. Sick dogs should be separated and nursed elsewhere until their wounds have healed, then brought back to the group and the pack.
- Avoid jumping and dancing. You should stop doing activities until the surgical wound has healed. This is to prevent the wound from rupturing or not healing.
- Give oral medication, apply medication to the wound, and strictly follow the doctor's instructions until the appointment date for examination or stitch removal.
Compiled by Dr. Araya Prapanphot
Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Surgery, Department of Cardiology
English