Unionville South Pet Hospital, 
What You Need to Know Before Surgery

Many people have questions about various aspects of their pet's surgery, and we hope this information will help.  It also explains the decisions you will need to make before your pet's upcoming surgery.

Is the anesthetic safe? - 麻醉安全嗎？

Today's modern anesthetic monitors have made surgery much safer than in the past. Here at Unionville South Pet Hospital, we do a thorough physical exam on your pet before administering anesthetics, to ensure that a fever or other illness won't be a problem.  We also adjust the amount and type of anesthetic used depending on the health of your pet. 

Pre-anesthetic blood testing is important in reducing the risk of anesthesia.  Every pet needs blood testing before surgery to ensure that the liver and kidneys can handle the anesthetic.  Even apparently healthy animals can have serious organ system problems that cannot be detected without blood testing.  If there is a problem, it is much better to find it before it causes anesthetic or surgical complications.  Animals that have minor dysfunction will handle the anesthetic better if they receive IV fluids during surgery.  If serious problems are detected, surgery can be postponed until the problem is corrected.

We offer comprehensive blood testing before surgery, which we will go over with you when you bring your pet in for an examination. For geriatric or ill pets, additional blood tests, electrocardiograms, or x-rays may be required before surgery as well.

It is important that surgery be done on an empty stomach to reduce the risk of vomiting during and after anesthesia.  You will need to withhold food for at least eight to 10 hours before surgery.  Water can be left down for the pet until the morning of surgery.

During your pet's hospital stay, we have a dedicated team that follows your pet through the pre-anesthesic exam, anesthesia and recovery. We limit the number of our procedures to ensure that your pet receives individualized, uninterrupted attention during their stay.

現代先進的麻醉監測設備，已大幅提升手術的安全性。在 Unionville South Pet Hospital，我們會在施行麻醉前為您的寵物進行完整的身體檢查，以確保沒有發燒或其他疾病影響手術。同時，我們會依據寵物的健康狀況，調整麻醉的種類與劑量。

術前血液檢查對於降低麻醉風險相當重要。每隻寵物在手術前都需要進行血液檢查，以確認肝臟與腎臟功能是否能承受麻醉。即使外表看起來健康的動物，也可能存在無法從外觀判斷的器官問題，而這些問題只能透過血液檢查發現。若有異常，能在麻醉或手術前及早發現，將有助於避免併發症的發生。

若檢測出輕微功能異常，在手術過程中提供靜脈輸液可幫助寵物更安全地接受麻醉；若發現較嚴重問題，則可延後手術，待問題改善後再進行。我們提供完整的術前血液檢查服務，並會在您帶寵物來院檢查時與您詳細說明。對於年長或患病的寵物，可能還需要額外檢查，例如心電圖或X光等，方可進行手術。

為降低麻醉期間及術後嘔吐的風險，手術前需保持空腹。請於手術前至少8至10小時停止餵食；飲水則可保留至手術當天早上。在寵物住院期間，我們有專責團隊全程照護，從術前評估、麻醉過程到術後恢復皆嚴密監控。我們亦會控管每日手術數量，確保每位寵物都能獲得個別且專注的照護。

Will my pet have stitches?

For many surgeries, we use absorbable sutures underneath the skin.  These will dissolve on their own, and do not need to be removed later.  Some surgeries, especially tumor removals, may require skin stitches.  With either type of suture, you will need to keep an eye on the incision for swelling or discharge.  Most dogs and cats do not lick excessively or chew at the incision, but this is an occasional problem you will also need to watch for.  If there are skin sutures, these will usually be removed 10 to 14 days after surgery.  You will also need to limit your pet's activity level for a time and no baths are allowed for the first 10 days after surgery.

對於許多手術，我們可以在皮下使用可吸收縫線，這類縫線會自行溶解，因此無需拆線。

然而，某些手術（例如腫瘤切除）則需要進行皮膚縫合。皮膚縫線通常會在手術後10至14天內拆除。無論使用哪一種縫合方式，術後都需要密切觀察傷口是否出現腫脹或分泌物。根據手術類型的不同，建議在術後一至兩週內限制寵物的活動量。

此外，務必防止寵物過度舔舐或啃咬傷口，並在術後前10天內避免為寵物洗澡。

 Will my pet be in pain?

Anything that causes pain in people can be expected to cause pain in animals.  Pets may not show the same symptoms of pain as people do; they usually don't whine or cry, but you can be sure they feel it.  Pain medications needed will depend on the surgery performed.  Major procedures require more pain relief than things like minor lacerations.

For dogs, we may recommend an oral anti-inflammatory the day after surgery and several days after to lessen the risk of discomfort and swelling.  We use newer medications, which are less likely to cause stomach upset and can be given even the morning of surgery.

Cats have more limited pain medication options due tot the feline metabolism.  Recent advances in pain medications have allowed for better pain control in cats than ever before.  We administer a pain injection 10 minutes before surgery.  After surgery, pain medication is given on a case by case basis.  Any animal that appears painful will receive additional pain medication.

Injectable pain medications may also be used after surgery on both dogs and cats.  Providing whatever pain relief is appropriate is a humane and caring thing to do for your pet.

任何會在人類身上引起疼痛的情況，同樣也會讓動物感到疼痛。雖然寵物未必會像人類一樣表現出明顯的疼痛反應（例如哀叫或哭喊），但可以確定牠們確實會感受到不適與疼痛。所需的止痛藥物會依據手術的類型而有所不同，較大型的手術通常需要比輕微傷口（如小型撕裂傷）更多的止痛措施。

對於犬隻，我們可能會建議在手術翌日開始服用口服消炎止痛藥，並持續數天，以減輕不適與腫脹。我們使用較新型的藥物，這些藥物較不容易引起腸胃不適，且可於手術當天早上安全使用。

由於貓的代謝特性，止痛藥物的選擇相對有限。然而，近年來止痛藥物的進步，使貓咪的疼痛控制已大幅改善。我們通常會在手術前約10分鐘為貓咪注射止痛藥物；術後則依個別情況評估是否需要進一步給予止痛藥。任何出現疼痛跡象的動物，都會獲得額外的止痛處理。

此外，術後亦可為犬貓使用注射型止痛藥物。為寵物提供適當的疼痛控制，不僅是醫療上的必要，更是對牠們關懷與人道的體現。

What other decisions do I need to make?

While your pet is under anesthesia, it is the ideal time to perform other minor procedures, such as dentistry, ear cleaning, or implanting an identification microchip.  If you would like an estimate for these extra services, please call ahead of time.  This is especially important if the person dropping the pet off for surgery is not the primary decision maker for the pet's care.

When you bring your pet in for surgery, we will need to 5 to 10 minutes of time to fill out paperwork and make decisions on the blood testing and other options available.  When you pick up your pet after surgery you can also plan to spend about 10 minutes to go over your pet's home care needs.

We will text or email you the night before your scheduled surgery appointment, to confirm the time you will be dropping your pet off and to answer any questions you might have.  In the meantime, please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions about your pet's health or surgery.