Guide to Pet Surgeries
Pets are adventurous, and occasionally they will fall sick or get injuries that require surgeries. Some pet owners prefer to wait and see if the issue resolves itself without the need for treatment. However, the best decision is always to visit a vet clinic every time your pet isn't feeling well to rule out any health issues that could be fatal.
Here are several questions you can ask to ensure that your pet gets the best health care.
Is there an alternative to surgery?
Ask your vet more about the diagnosis and how it can be remedied. Some conditions can be remedied without surgery. When dealing with older dogs, surgery is not always a good option as they might have underlying conditions. They are also at a higher risk of anaesthetic death due to complications such as low heart rate, hypoxemia, bradycardia, prolonged recovery, etc.
Discuss all the treatment options with your vet and ensure that you understand them.
How painful is the surgery?
If you've settled on surgery, you also need to understand that like any other surgery, pet surgery can be painful. Since you want your pet to be comfortable, ask the vet how they'll ensure that your pet is comfortable during surgery.
After the surgery, your pet will require medication for the pain, which is often recommended depending on the pet and the level of pain it's experiencing. Most minor vet surgeries will only require one injection to manage the pain. However, if you notice your dog is in pain, you can always consult the vet surgeon about the possibility of pain medication.
Complications
There is always a degree of risk involved in any surgery; thus, you should ask your vet surgeon about the risks and complications of the surgery. Ask about the success rate of the surgery and the complications the surgeon has experienced while performing the surgery. Don't forget to ask the surgeon to expound on the theoretical complications that could occur during or after the surgery.
Life after surgery
Ask the vet surgeon how the surgery will affect your pet's life. How long will it take to recover from the surgery? Also, ask if there are restrictions that you're required to observe, especially physical activity or diet restrictions. Be sure to ask about recovery and the care required to ensure that your pet recovers with no complications. After the surgery, take a few minutes to learn and understand your pet's needs during recovery. You also request for the clinic's contact information in case you have any questions about your pet's recovery.
To learn more, contact a vet clinic.