Gold Coast Vet Surgery - Where Pets Are Family

Thank you for considering booking your pet’s procedure with Gold Coast Vet Surgery and trusting us with their care. We aim to provide first class treatment with the minimum of pain and stress to your pet.

As your pet will probably be having a general anaesthetic or deep sedation it is important that they are fasted in the following way :

NO FOOD AFTER 10pm THE NIGHT BEFORE,

And NO FOOD OR WATER ON THE MORNING OF THE PROCEDURE.

Water can be available to drink overnight but removed first thing in the morning.

Consider bathing your pet a day or two prior to surgery as they cannot be bathed for 10 days afterwards as stitches will need to be kept dry.

Please bring cats in a secure carrier. Dogs should be wearing a collar and be on a lead. We recommend that you take your dog for a short walk for the opportunity to relieve themselves prior to admission!

On admission your pet will have an appointment with the vet to ensure that they are healthy enough to undergo the procedure. This will also give you the opportunity to discuss any concerns you may have. There is no additional charge for this consultation.

Our aim is to make your pet's procedure as safe and pain free as possible. Therefore, please read the information below about Safety Considerations for your pet's procedure. Please fill in the checklist and bring it along on the day. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact us on 5538 5909.

Yours Sincerely,

Drs Kevin & Fiona Cruickshank
The Vets at Gold Coast Vet Surgery,
Where Pets Are Family.

Safety Considerations With Anaesthetics and Surgery

Standard surgical costs include the Pre-Op Sedatives & Pain Relief, General Anaesthetic, Surgical Procedure & Materials, Hospitalisation, an Intra-operative Pain Relief Injection, a Long Acting Antibiotic Injection and Post Operative After Care. Also included is a nail clip (if required), plus a recheck appointment to remove the sutures and ensure that the surgical site has healed without any complications. With some procedures, such as dentals and lump removals, this may include an ongoing course of medications. Dental procedures may involve teeth extractions.

ADDITIONAL PROCEDURES RECOMMENDED WITH SURGERY

Your pet will require a general anaesthetic or deep sedation for the procedure. There are risks with any anaesthetics and although these are minimal, we will take the following measures to ensure that the procedure is performed as safely as possible:

* PRE ANAESTHETIC BLOOD TESTS: Your pet will receive a physical examination before the procedure, however, some abnormalities can only be detected by conducting blood tests. This panel of tests assesses the liver and kidneys, as well as checking for anaemia, infection, dehydration and diabetes. The test also enables us to check their platelet count, an important part of the blood's clotting system. These tests are run in our on site laboratory on the same day as the procedure, with results usually available within 30min. If abnormalities are detected, the vet can either alter the anaesthetic procedure accordingly, or in some cases, the surgery may be delayed until adequate health is regained, or the condition is fully investigated.

* INTRA VENOUS FLUIDS (ie a Drip): As your pet will be placed under anaesthetic, this will lower the blood pressure, which may have long term effects on the heart, kidneys and other organs. By placing your pet on intravenous fluids, this assists in maintaining the circulation and blood pressure while they are under anaesthetic. Your pet will also have a much quicker recovery as the anaesthetic is “flushed out” by the drip. And most importantly, if an emergency arose during the procedure, the veterinarian can administer the appropriate drugs immediately via the direct intravenous line.

Optional Consideration:

* MICROCHIP IMPLANTED WHILE UNDER ANAESTHETIC: If you pet is not already microchipped then you may want to have one implanted while he/she is asleep under the anaesthetic and won't even feel it!!! If you're not sure if you pet has a microchip, or just want to confirm that it's working correctly, please ask us to scan them when they come in.

Thousands of pets are lost each year with no form of identification. The microchip is a small electronic device that is about the size of a grain of rice, which is inserted under the skin, on the back of the neck. This microchip is then the lifetime identification of your pet. If a stray pet is found and taken to a vet, RSPCA or pound, it will be scanned and if microchipped then the owner can be contacted and reunited with the pet ASAP. This procedure can be done while your pet is under anaesthetic to eliminate the pain associated with implanting the microchip.

If your pet is being desexed, he/she will get a desexing tattoo in the left ear. This is a standard procedure with desexing and is routinely done at all vets throughout Australia. Since 1 July 2009 it has been compulsory for all pets to have an ear tattoo at the time of desexing, and all pets must be microchipped prior to change of ownership.

Please print the following form, complete and sign it and bring it with you when dropping off your pet: