What to Expect When You Drop Your Pet Off for Surgery

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Here at Gentle Care Animal Hospital, our goal is to always use the least invasive treatment method for your pet. Whether it’s chiropractic care, laser therapy, or another of our holistic methods, we want your pet to feel better as quickly as possible.

However, sometimes we need to bypass using non-invasive treatment techniques and prepare your pet for veterinary surgery in Lawrence, KS. For example, your dog may have gotten a small piece of bone stuck in his throat or your cat may have broken a leg when she made a daring leap. We understand that leaving your pet with us for the day or overnight can make you feel anxious. Our surgical team hopes to inspire your confidence by explaining just what to expect.

Checking Your Pet In for Surgery

Our front office staff will greet you when you arrive for your pet’s surgery and ask you to fill out some forms. Please provide us with a valid phone number where we can call or text with updates on your pet’s progress and to let you know when surgery is over.

The Surgical Process

After you have completed all necessary paperwork, a veterinary technician takes your pet back to the surgery room for preparation. Our veterinarians provide customized anesthesia and pain relief based on the type of pet you have, along with breed, size, general health, and temperament. We use non-invasive, gentle ultrasound to see images inside your pet’s body before making any surgical cuts.

We provide consistent monitoring once your pet gets into the post-surgical phase. Heart rate, breathing rate, and level of consciousness are just some of the things our team monitors after veterinary surgery in Lawrence, KS. We also keep a close eye on your pet’s pain level so we can provide compassionate and humane levels of pain relief.

Feel free to contact Gentle Care Animal Hospital with additional questions about veterinary surgery.

How to Pick Your Pet’s Veterinarian

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Picking the right veterinarian is important! Your pet’s veterinarian plays an important role in your pet’s well-being and also your pet’s quality of life. The right veterinarian will have the skills to help keep your pet healthy, the knowledge to help guide you as a pet owner, and also the people skills to make you feel comfortable that your pet is in good hands. If you’re looking for a veterinarian in Lawrence, KS, here’s what you need to look for.

Range of Services

The veterinarian you pick for your pet should offer a range of services including surgery, pain management, internal medicine and more. The more services your pet’s veterinarian offers, the more your pet’s veterinarian will be a one-stop shop for your pet. Some veterinary clinics even offer pet boarding in Lawrence KS, which means that you can bring your pet to the veterinarian when you go on vacation too!

Good Reputation

You should always bring your pet to a vet office that has a good reputation. The vet you choose should be known for having a way with animals, great customer service, excellent business practices, and a clean facility.

You can find out what a veterinarian’s reputation is by checking with people you know who have brought their child to that vet. If you don’t know anyone who has used that vet clinic, try checking references before bringing your own pet.

Skills and Experience

A veterinarian’s skills and experience says a lot about what they’re capable of doing for your pet. Choose a vet that has substantial experience with pets like yours. It’s best if the vet you select has been in business for many years, because they will have seen it all and will know how to care for your pet.

To find out more about how to choose the best vet in the area, contact Gentle Care Animal Hospital.

Preparing at Home for Your Dog’s Upcoming Surgery

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Whether you are having your pet spayed or neutered or planning for some other type of veterinary surgery in Lawrence, KS, we understand how concerning it can be. While the surgery itself is the biggest step in the process, the aftercare your pet receives when they get home is just as important. As you make arrangements with Gentle Care Animal Hospital for your pet’s upcoming surgery, it is also a good idea to make some preparations at home.

Pick a Quiet Place Away from Other Pets and Children

The most important thing for your pet after surgery will be rest. It may be a little groggy after returning home and may need a little quiet time while on the mend. Pick a designated spot in your home away from other pets and children where your pet can stay in the days immediately after surgery. For example, if you have a quiet bedroom or a spot in the house that is usually quiet, designate this area as the comfortable recovery spot.

Create a Barrier to Prevent Roaming

After a dog or cat has undergone surgery, they may be a little disoriented and may feel the need to roam around a bit because they are uncomfortable. To make sure your pet does not get into a situation that could cause further harm, make sure you block off the area where you want them to stay.

Discuss the Details with Your Vet

Always get aftercare instructions from the vet before you leave the animal hospital after surgery. Every situation and every pet is unique. Therefore, you will need the specific instructions about aftercare from the vet regarding the specific situation, what medicines your pet may need, and how to properly take care of your pet.

Trust Your Pet’s Surgery to a Qualified Lawrence Veterinarian

With the best Lawrence veterinarian and good care for your pet, your beloved pet’s surgery can be a problem-free process. If you would like to discuss a specific surgery with our team, reach out to us at Gentle Care Animal Hospital so we can help.

Did Your Dog Eat a Sock? Signs They Need Prompt Vet Care

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There’s perhaps nothing faster than a dog swallowing a forbidden item upon hearing your calls to leave it. Sometimes, it’s stolen food, but other times, it’s something a lot more serious, like a sock! If your dog ate a sock, you might be worried that surgical vet care in Lawrence, Kansas, is in their near future. While that may very well be true, it’s best not to panic. There’s a chance they’ll pass the object on their own, so stay calm and simply watch for the following signs.

Starts Showing Signs of Illness

Since it’s made from fabric, socks absorb moisture as they attempt to move through the digestive tract. Once the material swells up, it could block the stomach or intestines, leaving your dog feeling rather under the weather.

So, watch them closely for any signs of illness, such as:

  • Vomiting
  • Bloating
  • Diarrhea
  • Straining to poop
  • Tarry stools
  • Lethargy

If you notice any of the above symptoms or their normal behavior changes in any way, get your dog to the vet for an exam.

Decrease in Food and Water Intake

If the dog starts refusing food or water after eating a sock, then it’s likely that the material is blocking its digestive tract. You’ll need to act fast to prevent dehydration and keep the blockage from getting worse, so zip into the vet upon noticing their decrease in food and water intake.

Sock Doesn’t Pass in 24 Hours

After your dog eats a sock, you must watch their poop closely to make sure it passes. If there’s still no sign of the sock after 24 hours, schedule a visit to the vet, so they can take a look. At that point, it’s likely stuck somewhere in the digestive tract and in need of surgical removal.

When in Doubt, Bring Your Dog in for an Exam

If you’re ever in doubt about how your dog is doing — whether they just ate a sock or not — feel free to call 785-841-1919 and schedule a visit at our Lawrence, Kansas, vet clinic. We will look over your dog from nose to tail and perform any imaging tests needed to see if they need additional care. We can then let you know just what’s going on and provide the info you need to make confident vet care decisions for your dog.