928.342.0448
11769 S. Frontage Rd, Yuma, AZ
11769 S. Frontage Rd, Yuma, AZ
Foothills Animal Hospital offers many General Surgery Services that include a variety of common, emergency and elective procedures performed under general anesthesia.
The term anesthesia refers to the use of medication to block sensation, typically resulting in unconsciousness. Anesthesia is induced using a variety of medications, both injectable and inhaled. Foothills Animal Hospital uses only the best anesthetics available to veterinarians for these procedures.
Pets undergoing anesthesia are typically pre-medicated with an injectable drug. This pre-medication helps the pet relax so that full anesthesia can be induced more smoothly and safely. Next, the pet receives intravenous medication to cause loss of consciousness. A tube is then placed into the pet’s upper airway, and gas anesthesia keeps the pet comfortably anesthetized during the course of the procedure. While a pet is under anesthesia, they will be monitored in much the same way a human undergoing anesthesia is observed. This monitoring includes listening to your pet’s heart and lungs, visually assessing your pet’s reflexes, and using equipment to monitor your pet’s blood pressure, level of blood oxygen, and temperature. Your pet will also likely be monitored using an ECG machine. Trained technicians act alongside our veterinarians to ensure that your pet’s procedure goes smoothly and they are safe at all times.
Pre-anesthetic blood screening is also recommended for all pets undergoing a surgical procedure. Please ask for more information if your pet is scheduled for surgery.
We routinely use pain management medication before and after our general surgeries to ensure your pet’s comfort. Keeping your pet pain-free is crucial to maintaining his or her quality of life. Our veterinarians use a multi-modal approach to pain management that includes anti-inflammatories, local anesthetics, general anesthetics, and other drugs to effectively combat pain at all levels. If your pet is dealing with acute pain, our goal is to prevent the nerves from perceiving and remembering this pain so that it does not become chronic pain. For this reason, pain-management protocols are a part of the treatment plan for all surgeries. If your pet is already dealing with chronic pain, our veterinarians can create a customized pain management plan based on your pet’s individual needs and medical issues.