Stone Mountain vet, veterinarian in Stone Mountain,

• Your pet is in good hands. Veterinary surgery is just as advanced as human surgery. In fact, many human surgical procedures are first developed through the use of animal research. Although any anesthesia has some risks, recent advances in anesthesia techniques have greatly decreased that risk to the pet.

• Most surgery in pets is carried out using general anesthesia agents. A good medical history, physical examinations, screening of the heart's rhythm, and blood counts along with blood chemistry testing greatly enhance the safety index for the pet during the procedure as well as during the recovery period. Pet safety is further enhanced using the appropriate state-of-the-art vital sign monitoring equipment during the procedure and recovery. Our staff will make the appropriate recommendations to you at the time of admission based on our standardized protocols for each individual procedure. Just as in the case of human surgery, the appropriate blood work may be done prior to admission or at the time of admission.

• Much has been learned about pain control in the last few years. Pain is controlled during the procedure with effective sedatives/anesthetics and after surgery with pain-relief injections or oral medications.

• Minimizing risks to your pet is the responsibility of both our staff and YOU. Your role in your pet's nursing care cannot be over-emphasized. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to see that the pet is presented to us properly prepared for surgery, as well as properly "nursed" at home after the procedure.

PREPARATION FOR SURGERY: Your home care instructions:

• Feed the pet its normal diet before 8:00 PM. Do NOT feed any additional solid food after 8:00 PM to avoid the risk of vomiting while under the influence of anesthesia.

• Provide free-choice water all night long.

• Start oral antibiotics as directed.

• Free-choice water is allowed.

• Walk your pet before bringing to the clinic to allow it to urinate and defecate.  
• Do NOT allow any food.

• Give oral antibiotics as directed.

• Adequately restrain your pet at the time of admission.

• Be sure to remind the clinic about any drug allergies or other medical conditions that might be of medical concern at the time of surgery.

• Complete the surgical admission form at the time of admission. 
• Discuss any concerns and ask any questions you may have.

• Be sure we have a phone number where you can be reached during the day.