Understanding the Spay/Neuter Surgery

Understanding the Spay/Neuter Surgery

Spaying (ovariohysterectomy) and neutering (orchidectomy) is the surgical removal of reproductive organs.  Choosing to spay or neuter your pet will ensure that they live a healthier, happier and longer life. It is important to understand what is included in your pet’s care when comparing the cost of the surgery among other veterinary clinics or at the Humane Society.

At Davis Drive Animal Clinic we believe strongly in providing high quality care with an emphasis on anesthetic safety and patient comfort. Here are just some of the features and benefits we are able to include in the cost of your pet’s surgery.

Surgical Procedure

• We schedule a maximum of 3 surgeries per day to ensure our Veterinarians and Registered Veterinary Technicians have the appropriate time to care for your pet's needs

Preanesthetic Blood Tests

• We complete preanesthetic blood tests to ensure your pet's organs are functioning properly prior to anesthetic
•  If there are any abnormalities in these tests we can change the anesthetic protocol to meet your pet’s specific needs or even delay the surgery to address other health concerns first
• This bloodwork will also act as a baseline reference for your pet in the future     

Premedication

• We provide an injection of medication to your pet before the anesthetic to help with their comfort
• This reduces the amount of anesthesia needed to keep your pet asleep during surgery and lowers the risk of anesthesia

Intravenous Catheterization

• We place an intravenous catheter which provides us with instant access to your pet’s circulatory system (blood) while they anesthetized
• This saves time if medications need to be administered in an emergency situation

Intravenous Fluids (I.V. Fluids)

• Maintains your pet’s blood pressure while they are anesthetized and keeps your pet hydrated and their organs functioning
• Your pet recovers faster so they can come home to you sooner

Anesthetic Monitoring

• We have equipment that monitors your pet’s heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation as well as a Registered Veterinary Technician monitoring your pet while under anesthetic
• This keeps your pet safe

Inhalant Anesthetic

• This allows for a more controlled anesthesia which in turn is safer and more comfortable for your pet
• Very safe and allows us to keep your pet under anesthetic to the right depth so they are not feeling any pain

Suture Material

• We use suture material that supports proper healing as opposed to tissue glue which can lead to complications
• This allows your pet to heal faster

Analgesia

• We include pain medications to ensure that your pet is comfortable and not suffering from any pain or discomfort
• We also use local anesthetics (nerve blocks or freezing) to improve pain relief
• Pain relief medications are dispensed to keep your pet comfortable at home

Please call the clinic anytime with any questions or concerns regarding your pet’s surgery or to schedule a tour of the clinic.

The Team at Davis Drive Animal Clinic

The Importance of the Annual Health Exam

The Importance of the Annual Health Exam

Once a year we notify you when it is time for your furry family member’s annual health exam. This is a valuable opportunity for us to thoroughly assess the health status of your pet.

The first step is taking a complete medical history. We want to know if there have been any changes with your pet. Has there been any coughing, vomiting, or diarrhea? Have you changed the diet or feeding routine and if so why? Has there been changes in eating, drinking or bathroom habits? Are you noticing any stiffness when your pet gets up in the morning? Any changes in behaviour or unexplained weight loss or gain?

From this conversation we can gain insight into how your pet is doing at home and this can alert us as to what we can do to help. Do we need to run some tests to further investigate a concern? Can we prescribe a supplement to help with mobility? Has your pet’s lifestyle changed to include socializing at a doggy daycare where we should revisit their individual vaccine protocol?

The next step involves weighing your pet and taking their vital signs (temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate) and grading your pet’s body condition. From there, the veterinarian performs a thorough physical examination from the tip of the nose to the tip of tail. This involves auscultation of the heart and lungs, palpation of the abdomen and lymph nodes, examination of the ears, eyes nose, and joints, assessment of the coat and skin, examining the nervous system and the pet’s mobility. An oral health assessment is also done to determine the degree of periodontal disease present.

And that’s a thorough physical exam! Finally, we need to review your pet’s individualized vaccine schedule and whether or not your pet’s lifestyle has changed enough to warrant the inclusion or discontinuation of any particular vaccine. At the annual visit, we will also take a blood sample to screen for heartworm and tick borne diseases as well a panel of tests to check your pet’s overall organ function (something you can’t assess on physical exam). A stool sample is also required so it can be tested at the lab for any intestinal parasites. Finally, we review your pet’s medication requirements in order to ensure they are properly protected from fleas, heartworms, ticks and other parasites for another year.

All of us at Davis Drive Animal Clinic love keeping pets happy and healthy and can’t wait to see you and your pet soon !