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.

Bob Learns the Truth About Fern

Dear Diary,

I once had a lady lover--she was all I ever wanted and more. Every day I dreamt of our lives coming together, a big cage with a waterfall as our home and four or five tiny snakes slithering around as our offspring. We would be one happy family, eating pinky mice and teasing the man who fed them to us. My future was set, I just needed to find a way to get in Fern's cage. How to do it?

Well, I found the perfect opportunity a little past nine on a Wednesday night. The man who feeds me brought my pinky mouse as usual, but there was a loud crashing noise in the back of the clinic that sent him running away without closing the door to my habitat. I slithered down from the branch I was hanging on, and made my way back to Fern's cage. I was so excited! This would be our second encounter (the first was a movie night in my cage).

I climbed up to her cage, where she was sleeping peacefully. She looked splendid! I lightly rapped my head against the glass of her cage. No response. So I tried again. Nothing. Finally, with all my might, I squeezed my head through the tiny crack between the glass and the cage. At this, Fern opened her eyes.

"What do you want?" her eyes told me. This was not the reaction I was expecting. "I'm here for you, my love," my eyes replied to her.

"My love? You mean like brotherly love, right?"

I was really confused. Fern was not my brother. She is a female. Unless...

"Hey Fern! Do you mean to tell me you won't be able to produce my offspring?"

"How would this be possible? I'm a dude snake!"

Silence (well, it was already silent because we were talking with our eyes).

I was in shock! I had no idea this was what I would encounter when I made the journey from my cage to her (I mean, his) cage.

Finally, after much thought, I told Fern that I would love to be his bro buddy. He seemed to like that and we decided to play a joke on the feeder man. We switched cages!