| One of the most common concerns of animal guardians posed to small animal veterinarians involves the risks of putting their pets under general anesthesia for various surgical procedures. From common procedures performed on young pets (such as castration, spays and feline declaws) to dental cleanings, tumor removals, and other surgical procedures of older pets, one of the most important services a veterinarian can provide is through blood testing before such surgical procedures are undertaken. |  |
Not only can organ problems of the liver and/or kidneys be detected, but also rare clotting disorders that can increase bleeding tendencies during surgery. While in past decades such blood screening was considered optional for our animal companions, recent standards of practice in most states include offering, if not requiring preanesthetic blood work before most surgical procedures. Even if there are not obvious abnormalities detected, many veterinarians will use preoperative blood screens in determining which anesthetic protocols are most appropriate for their patients. Along with a preoperative EKG and placement of intravenous catheter and IV fluid therapy during the surgical procedure, both animal guardians and veterinarians are taking all of the necessary precautions they can to minimize anesthetic and surgical risk in their patients.
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One Comment
Pre-anaesthetic bloods make our job as veterinarians so much easier. WIth more knowledge about a patient’s health status, we can tailor the anaesthetic to their individual needs and take extra precautions when necessary.
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Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Reply:
February 25th, 2010 at 12:14 am
Hi Simon: AFter almost 20 years of veterinary practice experience, I totally agree with your statements. Many years ago, pre-anesthetic blood work was rarely done, but now is an important standard of practice that needs to be offered to animal guardians before any surgical procedure, especially in middle age or older pets, but in young puppies and kittens as well. As you know clotting disorders, as well as genetic diseases like liver shunts can also be detected.
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