Pre-Anaesthetic Pet Check
During their lifetime, most pets will undergo surgery at least once. This could be for a routine procedure such as desexing, or as a result of an accident or illness. Regardless of the nature of the surgery being performed, it is advisable to understand your pet’s physical status prior to the administration of a general anaesthetic.
Which pets should be tested pre-anaesthetic?
Pre-anaesthetic testing prior to surgery is recommended for cats and dogs of all ages and breeds.
Why is pre-anaesthetic testing recommended?
Blood and often urine testing pre-anaesthetic can provide important information we need to make surgical procedures as safe as possible for your pet.
What kinds of tests do we undertake?
The liver and kidneys are the organs that play a major role in detoxifying and expelling substances such as anaesthetic agents. Testing tells us about the health of these important organs. We also examine red blood cells that are responsible for carrying oxygen and white blood cells that tell us about infections, cancers and stress. Platelets play a vital role in stopping bleeding at surgical sites so we ensure that these are present in normal amounts.
What do the test results mean for my pet?
The tests will help us decide if your pet is ready for surgery. Depending on the results from your pet’s blood tests we may need to adjust the dose or type of anaesthetic used during surgery. We may even advise that surgery be postponed. Follow-up blood testing may be required to monitor your pet’s health in the future.
What benefits will my pet gain from these results?
Not only will the pre-anaesthetic test results help determine the readiness of your pet for surgery, they also provide a reference point for monitoring in the future. The tests may pick up unsuspected or hidden issues. As with your own regular health check-ups, regular testing helps us monitor your pet’s health over a lifetime and enables us to detect any potential problems at an early stage.
Would you like to know more?
If you would like to know more, please speak to your local vet.