SURGICAL RELEASE FORM
Before your pet undergoes an anesthetic procedure, we like to discuss some options with you to ensure a more smooth anesthetic experience for your pet. In order to give you more time to consider this information, you may go over this the night before dropping your pet off for surgery so that you can make the best decision for you and your pets.
Pre-Anesthetic Bloodwork
What is pre-anesthetic blood work and what does it tell us?
This is blood work that we run prior to an anesthetic event to ensure that your pet is able to undergo anesthesia. We perform a complete blood count (CBC), chemistry panel, and electrolytes. The CBC tells us about your pet’s cells like red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. For example, if your pet has low platelets, we would not want to perform any surgery with a risk of bleeding. The chemistry panel and electrolytes tell us how the organs of the body are functioning. If organ function is compromised, we do not want to anesthetize your pet with drugs that are metabolized in the liver and kidneys because they may respond very poorly to anesthesia. If any abnormalities are found that increase your pet’s risk, we will notify you immediately and discuss options before proceeding with anesthesia. Blood work does not completely take away the risk of anesthesia, but it certainly minimizes risk.
Is it necessary to perform blood work on young animals?
If your pet is getting a spay or neuter surgery, they are likely a young pet. Young doesn’t necessarily mean healthy. Many young pets can have congenital problems and haven’t shown any signs by the time of their surgery. The problem is, once we put them under anesthesia, their condition can worsen and they can show serious signs. With blood work, we may be able to detect any serious problems and use a different anesthetic protocol or postpone the surgery until the primary health issue is resolved.
If I just did blood work on my pet last year, do I need to do it again?
Just because your pet has had blood work in the past doesn’t mean that they will be in the same health at this time. Your pet’s body changes from week to week, and oftentimes diseases can begin developing that we may not see signs of until later. So we always recommend that any blood work that is older than 45 days be repeated before an anesthetic procedure. If your pet has received complete blood work in the past 45 days that was within normal limits, we can use that previous blood work for pre-anesthetic blood work.
At this time we do not require pre-anesthetic blood work, but it is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.
Microchip
A microchip is a great way to have permanent identification for your pet in case they ever get lost. Although this can be done at any time, it involves a fairly large needle that can be uncomfortable. Placing a microchip while under anesthesia takes only seconds, and it is painless. After implantation, you will register your pet with your information and it will be linked to the microchip number. If your pet is ever found, the chip can be scanned by any veterinarian or animal shelter, and you will be contacted.
Tattoo
If your pet is getting spayed or neutered, we recommend getting a 1-inch long thin green tattoo placed next to their incision so they can be permanently identified as being spayed/neutered. Even in male dogs, we recommend it, as there are often cryptorchid males (testicles don’t descend), and they can appear to be neutered but are actually not. It is a great way for your pet to avoid any unnecessary surgery in the future if for some reason your pet gets lost or is no longer with you. We offer this at no extra charge.
Thank you for choosing Crossroads Animal Hospital!
Our team works hard to ensure that your pet received the absolute best care during every single visit to see us.
Contact Us
Phone: 662-234-2928
Fax: 662-281-0916
Email: reception@crossroadsanimalhospital.net
Hours
M - F: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm (The Lodge is opened until 6:00 pm)
Sat: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Sun: 8:30 am and 5:30 pm (boarding pick up ONLY)
Visit Us
• If you are not a client of Crossroads, please go to one of these 24 hour facilities:
Memphis Veterinary Specialists & Emergency
Cordova, TN 38018