Beforehand

All surgeries are performed with the intention to cure your pet and/or improve their health and making their life more comfortable.

We, both veterinarians and para-veterinarians, will provide your pet with the best care possible.

Below, you will find some points to take into account before you bring your pet in case you have made an appointment for surgery:

• This means that your pet is not allowed to eat 12 hours prior the appointment (drinking water is allowed). Your pet can become sick and vomit due to the narcosis, which can be dangerous when your animal is numb. Therefore, we require that your pet is sober.It is necessary to bring in your pet sober.
  
  This is not applicable for rabbits and rodents! They may not be sober due to a gastro intestinal behaviour.
• Make sure that your pet is treated against worms and fleas before you bring her/him in.
• Make sure you walk your dog before you bring him in, but don't let him use much energy (keep your dog leashed).
• Bring your pet in a travel basket or with a firm leash and a fitting collar.
• Leave your phone number behind and make sure we can reach you at this number.
• In case your pet shows different behaviour or has physical complaints (you can think of vomiting, diarrhoea, drinking an out of ordinary large amount of water, etc.), report this to the para-veterinary on the day you bring in your pet.

 

The Surgery

The veterinarian will first perform a physical examination before your pet will be anaesthetised.

If necessary, a pre-anaesthetically blood test can be taken to check on the functioning of the organs of your pet. Having performed the blood test, the veterinarian can decide to alter the narcosis agent depending on the blood reference levels. After the narcosis, the pet will get an injection with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory agents and pain killers to improve the recovery after surgery.

When your pet has an excellent physical condition, the veterinarian will place a catheter in a vein. An intravenous drip can be placed onto the catheter when necessary.

After anaesthesia is performed, the para-veterinarians will prepare your pet for the surgery(shaving, washing, disinfection, etc.).

During the surgery, we can monitor the respiration and heartbeat of your pet with special monitoring equipment. When necessary, we can deliver extra (gas)anaesthesia.

After the surgery, your pet will receive an injection so he/she will wake up calmly.

Your pet will stay inside the recovery room for a while till he/she is fully awake again. The para-veterinary will call you to discuss what time you can collect your pet.

Aftercare at home

It is important to keep a close look at your pet when you just arrived at home. Make sure that he/she will not lick at the wound/stitches.

If necessary, you will get antibiotics and pain killers for your pet to take home. The treatment must always be completed!

In most cases, your pet will start eating and drinking within a day. We ask you kindly to contact us when this isn't the case.

Three days after surgery, it is recommended to check up on the wound. At the same time, we can discuss any results so far.

The stitches will be removed 10-12 days after the surgery. You can make an appointment for this on the day of the surgery.

Beware: In case your pet won't eat or drink, starts to vomit or has diarrhoea, or the wound becomes wet, warm and red (or when in doubt) after surgery,
Call us immediately!

Many factors may influence the safety of your pet while it is anaesthetised.

In case your pet needs anaesthesia, your pet will first be physically examined by the veterinarian. If it has been a while since a blood test has been taken, a pre-anaesthetically blood test is highly recommended (but not a compulsory).

The result of the blood test tells the veterinarian more about the physical condition of your pet before he/she receives the narcosis.

The veterinarian may decide to alter the narcosis agent when the blood test points out that your pet has an failing organ.

Anaesthesia is different for each animal depending on several factors such as blood levels, age, breed and previous experiences with anaesthesia of your pet. We limit the amount of narcosis without reducing pain management. Pain killers and antibiotics will always be injected prior the surgery and will be active directly.

The time that your pet will be under anaesthesia is also strongly reduced by our well-trained team, using the most up to date instruments. By using these instruments, we can reduce the time required for the surgery by up to 50%.

Your pet will be monitored by para-veterinaries, an ECG, respiration monitor and a capnograph when your pet is anesthetized. Also, all animals will receive intravenous fluids via a drip during surgery to maintain blood pressure and to be able to deliver medication in case of an emergency.

Furthermore, we monitor the body temperature during the surgery because hypothermia (also known as undercooling) remains one of the major risks. Therefore, we provide your pet with a special blanket to keep them warm during the surgery. Likewise, they can wake up under an infrared light after surgery.

Your pet feels pain and experiences inconviniences just like we do.

Reducing pain therefore is our top priority when your pet is in hospitalization at the clinic.

Our standard procedure is based on reducing pain and we are dedicated to improve on this all time.

The past years, we invested in extra trainings by specialists so we can use the latest techniques and advantages of pain management. We therefore have different categories of medicines to fight specific sorts of pain.

We wish to provide your beloved pet a painless and free of stress life (both at home and in the clinic).

To provide your pet with the best care, Veterinary Clinic "Het Zicht" can always invoke on blood donors.

Furthermore, we have blood replacers like HEAS and we have several types of intravenous or subcutaneous fluids in stock. Our para-veterinaries have had special training to site a sterile and comfortable intravenous catheter.

Sometimes, we also teach people to deliver liquids to their pet when it is required to do so regularly during a long term.

Electro surgery is a less invasive and modern way to perform surgery.

In some cases, it can replace scalpels/knifes and is usable for a wide range of surgeries (for example removing a cyst, tumour or wart).

Procedures with the electrode result in less pain, less bleeding and less swelling compared to normal surgery with scalpels. Electro surgery requires less time resulting that your pet needs to be anaesthetised for a shorter time. Also, the risk of post-surgery infections and other inconveniences is reduced.

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