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When Your Pet Needs Emergency Surgery

It’s a scary time when you find out that your cherished fur-baby needs an emergency surgery. Since our pets can’t tell us what they are feeling, their issues can become acute quickly. Sometimes, our pets have suffered injuries from accidents and our fears can overtake us. Our pets need us most during this time as it can be frightening for them as well. So, what should you know when your pet is having emergency surgery?

Try to Remain Calm

Our pets can sense our distress. This is also an “oxygen mask on yourself first” situation. If the you can relax, then you are much more capable of soothing your anxious pal. Generally speaking, most pets are in pain when they require emergency surgery.

You will have a bit of time with them before they go in to be given the medications for sedation.  You will want to be as positive and soothing as possible to assure your pet they will be OK. There are risks with emergency surgery and it’s important to be aware of the potential outcomes.

What Medications Are Given?

Before your pet undergoes surgery, they will usually be given some calming medication and an analgesic such as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory for post surgical inflammation and swelling. Buprenorphine and Gabapentin are other medications that may be given for post surgical pain. These medications are anticonvulsant and analgesic in nature.

Antibiotics are often started and sent home with your pet for post surgical care. This is to help prevent and treat any infections and keep your loved one healing as quickly as possible.

Putting Your Pet Under Anesthesia Emergency Surgery

It is often necessary to put your pet under anesthesia in order to perform a surgery as painlessly as possible. This can be a scary prospect and can be risky depending on your pet’s age and health. The American Kennel Club states that 1 in 2000 healthy dogs die under anesthesia each year. Still, the risk is usually necessary and worth it; in light of saving your pet’s life. It’s important to be cautiously optimistic. Most times your pet will be fine and go home to heal with you.

Pets have a breathing tube placed after being lightly sedated and are given anesthesia intravenously. Your Pet will go to sleep and not feel anything while the surgery is performed. Pets are usually also given IV therapy which is for hydration and the maintenance of your pet’s blood pressure during emergency surgery.

The IV catheter is also helpful in case your pet goes into anaphylaxis and requires emergency medicine. Your Veterinary professionals will determine your pet’s fitness for surgery and specific needs based on pre surgical testing and examination.  There are blood tests that can determine if certain types of anesthesia are harmful to your pet.

There is some risk of swelling at the injection site so it’s important to keep an eye out for any chewing or signs of infection, post surgery. Your Pet will likely have a sore throat from the tube and may require more water. Try to prevent stressful situations that induce barking post surgery.

After the Surgery

Your Pet will likely have to stay overnight for observation. This is a good thing so that your veterinary team can monitor your pet for any signs of complications. It’s difficult to stay the night away from each other but the first night after emergency surgery can be critical. You will want your pet to be in good hands with people who are trained to see signs of trouble and are able to treat your pet.

Most pets rest, slowly begin to be able to get up and drink water, then eat. Once they start doing these things and voiding, they are looking ready to go home. Most pets can be quite excited to be reunited with their owners and anxious to go home. It’s imperative to try to keep your pet calm to prevent ripping any stitches or further injuries. Some pets will require sedative medication to take home for this purpose.

Be sure to give medications as directed after emergency surgery. If you notice your pet is chewing and licking the surgical site, please obtain a cone. Tearing the wound can cause infection and serious complications.  Keep the surgical wound(s) clean and follow all directions given by your veterinary professionals. Watch out for any changes in behavior and don’t hesitate to call for help with your pet’s symptoms.

Chose the Best

If possible, (emergency surgery is an emergency) be sure to choose the best veterinary team possible for your pet’s emergency surgery. You want kind, caring, professional and knowledgeable people in your corner. Your Pet is like family and emergency surgery is risky but necessary and worth saving your fur-baby. You will want to trust the people helping save your pet’s life.

Most importantly, you will want to cuddle your pet endlessly after they survive an emergency surgery.