It is important that you be available via phone throughout the entire day that your pet is with us in the event that we need to reach you in an emergency or with new information about your pet’s health.

Your pet will be undergoing general anesthesia plus a surgical procedure today. In order to recognize any underlying abnormalities your pet may have, we recommend having a pre-surgical blood profile run on your animal. This consists of and an ALT, ALKP, CREA, GLU, TP, and BUN, which will check blood glucose and protein levels, kidney toxins and liver enzymes. These blood tests will help us to assess the health status of your pet more completely and determine if there are any additional precautions we need to take before surgery. We highly recommend a complete blood and urine profile for geriatric animals (animals older than 7 years).

 

IV fluids during anesthesia are the first line of defense against low blood pressure and potential damage to the vital organs (eg, heart, brain, kidneys). Venous access during an emergency or critical event while your pet is under anesthesia will allow us to administer medications more rapidly and give your the best opportunity for a speedy recovery.

 

There is an additional charge for these blood tests and IV fluids. We hope you understand the need for these important tests.

Your veterinarian's goal is to keep your pet as comfortable as possible before, during, and after surgery. Good pain relief speeds healing and minimizes any unpleasantness your pet might experience.

 

Each surgical patient is unique, so each pain management strategy is fine-tuned to meet the needs of the individual pet. The specific medications used for at-home aftercare will depend on the nature of the surgery and the decision of your veterinarian. In general, we recommend an injection of the NSAID Rimadyl to provide the cornerstone of at-home postoperative care, and other medications may be added.

 

Do not be afraid to ask your veterinarian for specific details about your pet's pain management plan following surgery.

Microchips are great for permanent identification that is tamper-proof, but nothing replaces a collar with up-to-date identification tags when it comes to quickly identifying a found pet. But if a pet is not wearing a collar and tags, or if the collar is lost or removed, then the presence of a microchip might be the only way the pet’s owner can be found. The best reason to have your pets microchipped is the improved chance that you’ll get your pet back if it becomes lost or stolen.

 

Dogs with microchips are more than twice as likely to be returned to their owners, and microchipped cats are almost 20 times as likely to be reunited with their families. The most common reason microchips fail to reunite pets and families is incorrect owner information (or no owner information) in the microchip registry database – so don’t forget to keep your information updated. When your pet is microchipped at Gresham Animal Hospital, we will register the microchip for you and the first year of registration is included. We provide you contact information for keeping your information current in the microchip registry for future updates.

Infectious disease control represents a major part of our effort as your pet’s health care providers. Vaccines are better studied than any other medicine we prescribe, and the manufacturers guarantee their safety and efficacy.

 

Pets’ bodies may be challenged by diseases they encounter in their environment, and without previous inoculations against such diseases, sickness and even death may occur. The vaccinations the pet receives will be determined by the veterinarian depending on the environment in which the pet lives, exposure to disease, and their general health. 

 

Gresham Animal Hospital follows preventive care recommendations as outlined by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). 

Infectious disease control represents a major part of our effort as your pet’s health care providers. Vaccines are better studied than any other medicine we prescribe, and the manufacturers guarantee their safety and efficacy.

 

Pets’ bodies may be challenged by diseases they encounter in their environment, and without previous inoculations against such diseases, sickness and even death may occur. The vaccinations the pet receives will be determined by the veterinarian depending on the environment in which the pet lives, exposure to disease, and their general health. 

 

Gresham Animal Hospital follows preventive care recommendations as outlined by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). 

Gastrointestinal parasitism is a common problem in pets. Intestinal parasites are found worldwide. The parasites can be wormlike (e.g., stomach worms, roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms) or one-celled (e.g., Isospora, Giardia, Toxoplasma) organisms. The signs associated with parasite infections are fairly nonspecific. 

 

Most dogs become infected by ingesting infective agents, eggs, Giardia duodenalis cysts, or larvae in a contaminated environment. Dog parks play an important role in the well-being of your pet however, there is an increased risk for exposure to intestinal parasites. Cats show prevalence rates as high as 45 percent. 

 

Undetected infections may become clinically apparent, and untreated pets may shed parasites that contaminate the environment, presenting a threat to animals and humans. Children and immunocompromised individuals are at the greatest risk. One Health indicates that routine monitoring and appropriate parasiticide treatments are crucial for pet health. Frequent fecal examination with appropriate and combined diagnostic techniques is important for pets of all ages.

 

Parasite reinfections are very common, but can be prevented. Parasite control begins with good sanitation procedures. This includes daily removal of feces; washing the litter box with a disinfectant (e.g., diluted household bleach) on a regular basis; avoiding overcrowded conditions; avoiding diets with raw meats; and controlling intermediate hosts (fleas, ticks, and rodents). Good parasite control is the key to a healthier pet.

Elizabethan collars (“E-collars”) are lampshade-shaped devices a dog or cat wears around the neck to protect tissue from self-trauma during healing. Commonly an E-collar is worn after surgery to keep the animal from licking, chewing, or otherwise disturbing the area of the body that was operated on. A dog or cat’s licking, contrary to popular myth, is not helpful but in fact delays tissue healing and favors infection.

 

An E-collar that is too big can easily slip off, whereas one that is too small can irritate or even cut the skin around the neck or interfere with breathing. A properly sized E-collar is comfortable and effective at blocking self-trauma.

 

The E-collar should be worn for 10-14 days post operatively. Some pets don’t lick or scratch when the E-collar is taken off, but many do cause damage to the delicate tissues, and this damage can be done very quickly. Entire surgical operations have had to be redone because of tissue damage inflicted in 10 seconds of licking and chewing by a pet that removed an E-collar.

Modern veterinary medicine has significantly minimized anesthetic risk for healthy pets and all of our surgical patients undergo complete pre-surgical evaluation prior to anesthesia to ensure that no unexpected issues will arise that could potentially cause complications. However, the potential for complications still exists and it is, therefore, important that you give us written consent to anesthetize and perform surgery on your pet.

I verify I am the owner (or Authorized agent for the owner) of the above named pet and authorize the above procedure to be performed. I authorize the use of anesthesia and other medication as deemed necessary by the veterinarian and understand that hospital personnel will be employed in the procedure(s) as directed by the veterinarian. I have been advised as to the nature of this procedure to be performed and the risks involved. I understand also that there is always a risk associated with any anesthesia episode, even in apparently healthy animals and have discussed my concerns with the veterinarian. I understand that it may be necessary to provide medical and/or surgical procedures which are not anticipated for the safety or care of my pet. I hereby consent to and authorize the performance of such altered and/or additional procedures as are necessary in the veterinarian’s professional judgement. I accept responsibility for any result in additional charges. I agree to be responsible for any charges incurred while my pet is in the care of this facility and understand payment is due at the time my pet is released from the hospital. I understand no staff will be attending to my pet overnight (pets needing special care may be referred to a 24 hour hospital)

I AUTHORIZE the presiding doctor at Gresham Animal Hospital to begin emergency treatment to stabilize my pet. After the doctor has stabilized my pet, he/she will then provide me with a detailed estimate of further recommended treatment and care.

 

I understand that emergency stabilization treatment may accrue charges of up to $400-$1000, and that I am responsible for payment at time of service.