Consumer Guide to Elective Surgery

Thank you for recognizing the need to spay or neuter your pet. Many people "shop around" for the best price on this surgery, without the knowledge of why the cost varies among veterinary practices. This guide was put together to help you find the best fit between the veterinary practice and your expectations for the care of your pet.

Questions to Ask and Why to Ask Them:
  1. Will my pet receive a complete physical examination prior to surgery?

    2. This is important for a number of reasons. It is our first defense against performing surgery on an animal that may have infectious disease, a heart murmur, or be debilitated from parasites. Wynne Veterinary Clinic performs exams on each pet prior to surgery

  2. What safety precautions will be taken with my pet during surgery?

    3. While most surgery is uneventful, emergencies sometimes arise. Early detection of impending problems greatly aids in our ability to intervene and correct the problem. A breathing tube should be placed in all anesthetized animals. This keeps the airway open and allows for supplemental oxygen or gas anesthesia as needed. A heart and oxygen (pulse-oximetor) monitor allows the surgeon to keep track of the heart rate and rhythm as well as the amount of oxygen in the blood. The should also have a "crash box" handy, which contains emergency drugs and supplies. At Wynne Veterinary Clinic ALL staff members are taught where the "crash box" is kept, as well as what to expect, how to respond, and how to use the medications and supplies in an emergency situation with a patient

  3. What safety precautions will be taken with my pet after surgery?

    4. Surgery patients lose body heat through anesthesia and the opening of the body cavities. If patients get to cold, the heart can be affected. Patient temperature should be monitored at regular intervals after surgery and supplemental heating provided as needed. You pet's gum color, pulse, and respiration should also be monitored. ALL our surgery patients are placed on heating units DURING surgery to keep their body temperature up, and on heating disks and warming blankets after surgery. We monitor the body temperature of recovery pets up to every 5-15 minutes until it returns to normal and the pet is awake and responsive. When a pet has surgery at Wynne Veterinary Clinic, someone stays with it until it is fully awake, and the next surgery of the day is not started until the first patient is fully recovered and doing well.

  4. How will pain be controlled for my pet?

    5. This is very important - surgery hurts! The anesthetic will not provide pain control once the pet wakes up. We provide all surgery patients with injectable pain medication prior to starting surgery, so that the medication is working at its peak levels when the patient wakes up. We keep all surgery patients overnight to ensure that their pain is well controlled and that there are no complications from surgery. In addition surgery patients are sent home with oral pain medication so that they continue to remain comfortable while healing

  5. Will I receive written post-surgical care instructions for my pet?

    6. Aftercare of surgical patients is very important for proper healing. We send home written discharge instructions for your pet.