There is always a risk with any surgical procedure. One of the risks is that there will be an anaesthetic complication and something will go wrong.

Modern techniques allow us better control of pain, use of lower general anaesthesia doses and superior patient monitoring. All of the patients at the Pet Emergency & Specialist Centre receive sedation prior to anaesthesia which achieves a calming effect to reduce anxiety. Often we will give the first needle with the pet owner present so that you can sit with you pet for a while before they are admitted to hospital.

All patients receive gaseous anaesthesia delivered in 100% oxygen.

We have state-of-the-at monitors which allows us to look at trends in physiological variables such as:

• Heart rate
• Respiratory rate
• Temperature
• Oxygen delivery to the tissue (pulse oximetry)
• Expired carbon dioxide levels (capnography)
• Electrocardiogram (lead II ECG)
• Blood pressure (oscillometric manometry)

In most cases we combine a local nerve block with systemic administration of pain relief drugs. This is called multimodal analgesia and is modern and effective. Epidural (spinal) injections can be given and provide powerful pain relief for procedures on the hindlimbs (lasting 18-24 hrs).

We also use forced warm air systems to blow hot air onto the patient’s body both during and after surgery to maintain core body temperature. This prevents shivering upon recovery. Patients are more comfortable and recover faster.