Preparing Your Pet for an Anaesthetic

When your pet needs an anaesthetic, whether for surgery, dental work or diagnostic imaging, proper preparation can make a significant difference in their safety and comfort. Anaesthesia is a routine procedure, but following these instructions will help reduce risks and ensure a smooth recovery. Here’s what you need to know to prepare your pet.

Fasting Your Pet

One of the most important pre-anaesthetic instructions is fasting your pet. This means withholding food for a specified period before the procedure, usually overnight. Fasting reduces the risk of regurgitation and aspiration during anaesthesia, which can lead to serious complications. Water is typically allowed up until the morning of the procedure, but please always follow our specific guidelines at the time of booking. Some pets, such as very young animals or those with certain medical conditions, may require modified fasting instructions, so it’s essential to confirm details with our nurses.

Pre-Visit Medication

At the time of booking in your pet for their procedure, your vet would have given you some medication to give the night before and the morning of their admission. This medication is part of their pre-anaesthetic package and is vital to reduce the amount of medications they receive during their visit, as well as having a smoother anaesthetic. This also makes their recovery a lot better.

No Exercise While Fasted

Once your pet has started fasting, it’s best to avoid strenuous exercise. Running, jumping or playing on an empty stomach can lead to nausea, weakness or fainting. Instead, keep activities calm and low-energy, such as short walks for dogs or quiet indoor time for cats. This will help keep them comfortable while they wait for their procedure.

Toileting Before Admission

Encouraging your pet to toilet before heading to the clinic is another simple but important step. For dogs, take them out for a toilet break before you leave home. Cats should have access to a clean litter tray. Emptying their bladder and bowels beforehand helps prevent discomfort while they wait for their procedure and reduces the chance of accidents at the clinic.

Ensuring Your Pet is Clean

If your pet is having surgery, keeping them clean beforehand is essential. While a full bath isn’t always necessary, ensuring they are free from excessive dirt, mud or debris is important. Avoiding dirty or dusty environments before their procedure will help minimise the risk of infection at the surgical site. If your pet needs a bath, do it at least a day before their appointment to allow time for their coat to dry fully.

Admission Process and Early Drop-Off Times

At Oakleigh Central Vet, we require early admission times for pets undergoing anaesthesia. This allows our veterinary team to conduct pre-anaesthetic checks, administer any necessary medications, and ensure your pet is settled before the procedure. Expect to spend a few minutes at drop-off reviewing consent forms, discussing any last-minute concerns, and confirming contact details in case we need to reach you during the day. Arriving on time is crucial, as delays can impact the scheduling of procedures.

Helping Your Pet Settle into Hospital

For many pets, a visit to the vet can be a little stressful, especially when staying for a procedure. Staying calm and reassuring at drop-off can help your pet feel more at ease. Our veterinary team is experienced in handling nervous pets and we will take steps to help them settle in, including using gentle handling techniques and pre-anaesthetic sedation if needed.

Final Thoughts

Preparing your pet properly for anaesthesia helps ensure their safety and comfort. Following fasting guidelines, avoiding exercise, keeping them clean, and making sure they toilet before admission are all small but important steps. We take every precaution to monitor pets closely before, during, and after anaesthesia, so you can feel confident that your pet is in good hands. If you have any concerns or specific questions about your pet’s procedure, please don’t hesitate to call and speak with our friendly team.