How do I know if my dog needs surgery?
You most likely know if your dog needs surgery if a veterinarian has recommended it for a certain condition. Sometimes we need preventative surgeries like spays or neuters. Sometimes we need surgery to fix a problem that's actively going on.
What types of surgeries are commonly performed on dogs?
Probably the most common surgeries performed on dogs are spaying and neutering, which involve removing the reproductive organs of a female or male dog. Often, we remove growths or tumors from the skin. There are many surgeries that exist for animals, including surgery on their bladder to remove bladder stones. Sometimes we need to remove a toe if it's diseased. These can vary depending on the condition.
How are the success rates for dog surgery?
Dog surgery has a very high success rate. Anesthesia complications, which people often ask about, are very low in small animals. It's about 1 in 10,000 small animals that have an issue under anesthesia that can't be dealt with. The surgery itself, depending on the complications of that particular surgery or how severe the disease is, might have different outcomes. A veterinarian should discuss each surgery with you separately. Spays and neuters are successful 99.9% of the time.
Will my dog need to see a specialist for surgery?
There are certain surgeries that are best in the hands of a veterinary specialist. One example would be a cranial cruciate tear that needs a TPLLO surgery. Those veterinary surgeons have additional years of training. There are many things that can be handled in your general practice, and your veterinarian will know best what they are capable of and when they need to refer you elsewhere.
What are the risks associated with dog surgery?
The most common risks with any surgery are potential blood loss from the surgery, which the goal is to keep at a minimum, and potential infection of a surgery site, which also is very low in occurrence. Those are probably the top two most common potential issues.
How should I prepare my dog for surgery?
Dogs need to be fasted before surgery. We like to have them fasted for at least 10 hours before their surgery. Ideally, if it's an emergency surgery, sometimes we have to take them without them being fasted. We like them fasted because if a dog does potentially regurgitate or vomit during surgery from getting sick from some of the medications, it can cause more complications if they've eaten recently.
Will my dog need to have lab work done prior to surgery?
We do require lab work done on all animals prior to surgery to ensure their kidney and liver can handle the processing of the anesthetic drugs we use. We do not always require lab work if we're using a deep sedative that can be reversed if there's a problem.
What should I expect on the day of my dog's surgery?
At Round Out Valley Vets, we have you bring your dog to the office when we open. We ask that you bring them fasted, as we've discussed in prior instructions. One of our licensed veterinary technicians will go over paperwork with you about the procedure they're having and what we're going to be doing. They'll also go over an estimate with you, which we need to get signed off on. We also have to ask your CPR wishes prior to surgery if something were to happen to your animal while under anesthesia. Once checked into the hospital, we take them to our surgical area and work on them in order of surgeon preference.
How long do surgeries typically take?
Depending on the type of surgery, a basic neuter probably takes around 10 minutes for the actual surgery. There is more time for getting them under anesthesia and preparing the area. Spays average about 20 minutes of surgery time. Mass removals, if small, can take a few minutes, while very large ones can take an hour and a half to two hours. Surgeries like foreign body removal or splenectomies can also take an hour and a half to two hours.
Will my dog be in pain after surgery?
Your dog will likely be in some discomfort after surgery, but we try very hard to use medications in the hospital as well as medications that your dog is sent home with to keep them as comfortable as possible.
What kind of anesthesia is used for dog surgery, and is it safe?
The anesthesia we use involves a premedication, usually a pain medication in the opioid family, to help with surgical pain and slightly sedate them before surgery. They are then given an induction agent intravenously in their IV catheter, making them unconscious and relaxed enough for an endotracheal tube to be placed in their trachea. That tube is hooked up to oxygen and inhaled gas, commonly isoflurane or sevoflurane, used to keep them asleep during the operation. The drugs we have nowadays are very safe, with very few anesthetic complications.
How will my dog's pain be managed postsurgery?
Pain postsurgery can be managed with oral pain medication for more minor procedures. For more significant procedures requiring more significant pain control over several days, we may use a transdermal fentanyl patch.
What should I do to care for my dog after surgery?
After most surgeries, it's important to keep them quiet to prevent stress on the surgery site. Use an Elizabethan collar or e-collar, sometimes called the cone of shame, to prevent them from licking or chewing at the incision. Surgical suits or sleeves can cover incisions on certain body parts. Using prescribed pain medications or antibiotics is crucial for recovery.
How long will it take for my dog to recover from surgery?
Most surgeries have a recovery period of about 10 to 14 days. It can be longer depending on the severity of the surgery, but most skin and abdominal muscles heal within 12 to 14 days.
What signs of complication should I watch for after my dog's surgery?
Watch for complications such as gum color changing from pink to a lighter pink or pale, which could indicate bleeding. Constant crying, panting, or pacing might indicate dysphoria from the anesthetic or uncontrolled pain. If they get at their incision, check for chewed sutures or if the incision becomes swollen, red, or discharges green or yellow fluid, indicating infection that needs immediate attention.
Will my dog need special food or medications after surgery?
Sometimes special food is necessary after GI tract surgeries, like those involving the stomach or small intestines. We may provide easily digestible food, but the focus is on slowly refueling them by following the feeding instructions closely. Common medications after surgery include pain medications and antibiotics if there was an infection or to prevent one.
How can I keep my dog from licking or biting the surgical site?
The most common ways to prevent this include using an e-collar, a surgical suit, inflatable donuts, or a surgical sleeve to keep them away from the surgery site.
When should I bring my dog back for a post-surgery followup?
This depends on the type of surgery. At discharge, you should be given clear instructions on when to return. Rechecks can range anywhere from the next day to 12 days later.
If youโre looking for veterinary care you can trust, call us at (845) 626-5555 or email [email protected]. Weโre here to keep your pet healthy, happy, and thriving!