Estimates are made before all procedures at check-in and by request at the presurgical exam visit. These include a range to prevent any surprises at the end of the day, as we try to forecast all needed services. The options shown below are offered for all pets and required in some cases, including “senior” pets (dogs and cats 6 years or older).

Blood Tests

While a variety of blood tests are offered to all patients who will have surgery, certain tests are mandatory for any dog or cat 6 years or older. In particular, kidney and liver values should be checked, since these are the main organs that break down anesthetic drugs and gas. In addition, we check for anemia (low red blood cell count) and inflammation (high white blood cell count), to rule out conditions such as blood loss and internal infections whose signs may be too subtle to notice otherwise.

IV Catheter and Fluids

A catheter is the way we have immediate access to the blood stream and the heart. This is used to provide fluids to maintain hydration and support blood pressure and is especially valuable in case emergency medications are needed. All our patients and especially those undergoing elective procedures are screened for health prior to their procedure so that the risks stay as low as possible. Still, the risk of unknown (“occult”) heart disease, for example, exists even when there are no detectable abnormalities (“murmurs”) on listening to the heart.

Blood Pressure Monitoring

This allows us to fine-tune the amount of gas anesthesia used. We want to keep your pet in a light sleeplike state to prevent pain and anxiety. We do not want a pet too deeply asleep as low blood pressure can delay and lead to complications during recovery.

Additional Medications and Pain Management

Pets can be difficult to give medications that are swallowed (“oral” drugs). A long-lasting injectable antibiotic, Convenia, can be given instead of oral antibiotics and is also recommended for pets who may have a sensitive stomach or who are known to vomit or get diarrhea from oral antibiotics. Finally, but just as important, while we include pain-control medications in routine procedures (dentistry and spay/neuter), we offer additional post surgical pain control at your discretion. This may be required with dental extractions and non routine procedures. However, as we do not always know in advance whether teeth will need to be pulled, we ask you to consider what range of cost will be allowed and to leave a phone number where you can be reached directly or immediately call back.