The Facts About Anesthesia

There's no need to be afraid of anesthesia. Although it is normal to feel a little apprehensive when the vet recommends anesthesia for a procedure or surgery on your pet, the concerns should be minimal. Modern anesthetics are very safe when administered by trained veterinarians and technicians. While there is a chance of complications, this is extremely rare.  Not only does your pet remain safe and comfortable during surgery, but comes out a better and healthier animal.

Here's how anesthesia works beginning to end:

1. Preanesthetic medication is administered

After a physical examination and preanesthetic blood profiling, a sedative is given to relax your pet. While being monitored closely by our staff, your pet will soon feel calm and relaxed after about 10 minutes.

2. IV fluids are given

An IV catheter is placed and fluids are given throughout the entire procedure. Some clinics do not include IV fluids during surgery, however, it is beneficial for your pet to be hydrated throughout the whole process. Not only does it prevent dehydration, but helps maintain blood pressure and kidney function.

3. Anesthesia starts

An intravenous medication is administered to your pet and he/she becomes fully sedated within 30 seconds.

4. During the procedure

We have trained technicians and veterinarians that monitor the anesthesia, which is maintained with a gas mixed with oxygen and can be adjusted according to your pet's needs.

5. After the procedure

You pet is never left unattended as they wake up from the anesthesia. Our technicians monitor him/her closely and make sure his/her needs are met. It usually takes about 15 minutes for your pet to come to consciousness. Pain control is important after a procedure and we make sure your pet is as comfortable as possible.

We take these important steps to ensure your pet is comfortable and stable during procedures and surgeries. If you have any questions or concerns about anesthesia or surgery, please don't hesitate to ask us.

Pet Dental Month=Clean Teeth, Discount

February is National Pet Dental Health Month, and if your pet has never had a dental, this is the perfect month to start. We are offering 10% off every dental scheduled in February.  

In addition to routine teeth brushing, it is recommended that dogs and cats have annual comprehensive teeth cleanings and oral exams twice a year. Why is this so important?

Periodontal disease is a common issue in cats and dogs and causes them to experience discomfort and pain. Not only does it affect their mouths, but can cause problems in their kidneys, hearts and livers if untreated. Periodontal disease begins with plaque build-up that develops into tartar, which can get underneath the gumline and damage the jawbone and tissues that connect teeth to the jawbone.

When we examine your pet’s teeth, we grade them on a periodontal disease scale of 1-4.

1 is normal—minimal tartar

4 is severe—infection, teeth extractions typically necessary  

Here at Parrish Creek Veterinary Clinic, we know how important it is to perform a thorough and successful dental on your pet. What sets us apart from places like spay and neuter clinics?

First, let’s discuss dentals at spay and neuter clinics. Although they are usually offered at a lower rate, dentals at spay and neuter clinics are quick procedures with minimal attention to detail. These types of clinics often see 50 or more patients in the course of one day. Blood work is not required, x-rays are rarely given and if a patient has grade 4 periodontal disease, they are referred to another clinic with the proper resources anyway.

Dentals at PCVC:

We start by giving your pet a comprehensive oral exam, which tells us the severity of his or her teeth. After we know what type of services are needed for your loved one, we provide you with an accurate estimate for a dental cleaning. We always include pre-surgical blood work. Why? When we run a blood test, we can determine if your animal is healthy enough for safe anesthesia. In our experience, we have tested animals scheduled for dentals and discovered they have kidney disease or other issues that make them an unfit candidate for an anesthetic dental.

Radiographs

We do dental x-rays on every mouth that comes in for an extensive cleaning. Our technicians, who perform cleaning and polishing on your pet’s teeth, are highly skilled in administering dental x-rays. We have found things such as residual roots in the gums that would have gone unnoticed if we had not taken radiographs. They also help us know if teeth need to be extracted. If teeth need to be extracted, our technicians will pass the task on to our veterinarians.

Anesthesia

Dr. Folland and veterinarians everywhere agree that anesthesia is the best method for performing dentals. It can be painful for your pet to experience a dental, especially if extractions are necessary. Anesthesia prevents any discomfort or pain your pet may experience during the cleaning. Also, pets tend to move around, escape from the table or bite those performing dentals. Anesthesia is helpful for everyone involved with the procedure.

Be assured that your pet will be monitored from the moment the pre-anesthetic is administered, to when he or she wakes up from the dental. We take precaution with every animal that goes under anesthesia. This sets us apart from spay and neuter clinic dentals. Because they have a high volume of dentals, they are unable to monitor each animal throughout the entire process. We ensure that you and your pet have the best experience possible. Please feel free to speak with any of our staff if you have questions and concerns.

If you schedule a dental within 30 days of your pet’s exam, you’ll always get 10% off your dental bill.

Don’t forget to schedule your dental today!