If my pet is young and healthy, why does he need an ECG, IV catheter and fluids and pre-anesthetic lab work before surgery?
Remarkably, young dogs and cats that appear outwardly healthy can have serious congenital and acquired health problems. Examples include congenital heart defects, anemia, low platelet counts, low protein levels, kidney and liver problems. All of these and other diseases can place them at risk for complications and even death while undergoing anesthesia and surgery if not detected beforehand. A pre-anesthetic ECG can help us detect heart problems that might go undetected otherwise. Pre-anesthetic blood testing (complete blood count and biochemistry panel) helps us to make sure your pet does not have kidney or liver problems, abnormal sugar and protein levels, anemia, low platelet counts (platelets are responsible for clotting blood…obviously very important in surgery), infection, as well as other problems. An IV catheter allows us to administer anesthetic drugs, IV fluids and gives us instant access to a vein if any emergency drugs are necessary. During anesthesia, circulation to certai
