As with every procedure at Cat Sense Feline Hospital, your cat's comfort and safety are our primary concerns. Anesthesia and surgery can be the most stressful time for your cat; we do everything we can to minimize this stress and discomfort while employing the safest procedures possible. We understand that cost is definitely a factor in choosing your cat's health care, and want to be sure that you understand some of the differences that may exist between our hospital and the providers of lower-cost care.

Proper Pain Control: We now know that cats experience pain in much the same way that we do although they are so stoic they don't express it in the ways we would expect. Proper pain control involves not only anesthesia but a variety of additional medications given before, during and after the procedure for the sole purpose of relieving operative pain. We use an average of 2-4 medications for pain alone for most procedures. In addition, we send home pain medication for an average of 2-5 days after surgery.

Patient Temperature Control: Anesthesia causes the body temperature to drop, especially in small animals like cats. We use a contemporary convective forced-air warming device just like those found in human surgical and recovery suites. This allows us to keep our patients' body temperatures up during surgery, reducing the risk of patient complications and providing smoother recoveries.

Proper Surgical Suite: Our surgical suite is state of the art with a central oxygen supply. Our surgeon wears a cap, mask, and sterile gown for all surgical procedures. Surgical assistants also wear a mask and cap during all surgeries.

New Syringes: There are no regulations prohibiting veterinary hospitals from reusing needles and syringes. We would never consider reusing these materials. We use new, sterile syringes and needles on every patient.

Precision Instruments: Our instruments are top of the line surgical instruments. This means there is less chance of an instrument slipping and causing unnecessary blood loss during surgery.

Sterile Instruments: It is a practice at some clinics to reuse surgical instruments for different patients. At Cat Sense, we clean and sterilize our surgical instruments after each procedure, eliminating the risk of postoperative infection due to cross-contamination.

CO2 Laser: We offer the use of the laser on many of our surgical procedures. This instrument separates the tissue as it goes instead of cutting. It also cauterizes the blood vessels and nerve endings leading to reduced bleeding and pain.

IV Catheters: All patients receiving general anesthesia have an IV (intravenous) catheter placed prior to full anesthesia exactly as in human surgery. This allows us to administer intravenous fluids to maintain adequate blood pressure during and after the procedure. In an emergency, it can save vital minutes if intravenous medication is required.

Emergency Drugs: We keep a supply of the most advanced emergency drugs available, including synthetic blood products. These are very expensive to keep on hand, but allows us to be more prepared in case of a blood loss emergency.

Proper Monitoring: Anesthesia causes significant changes in an animal's body systems, most commonly a drop in blood pressure. Blood pressure, oxygenation and pulse monitoring are vital. Machines can only tell us so much, so we also have at least one and usually two surgical assistants dedicated exclusively to monitoring the patient's vital signs during anesthesia.

Do not hesitate to ask questions of your veterinary health care provider. You have the right and responsibility to your cat to know what you are paying for. Ask them if they use proper pain control, if they reuse syringes or unsterilized surgical instruments, and if they have blood products on hand should an emergency arise. Be sure to ask if they use proper surgical attire, including sterile gowns and if they have an assistant dedicated to monitoring your cat during surgery. Ask if your cat will have an IV catheter and IV fluids and if pain medications are used before, during and after surgery. All of these features are expensive, but allow us to provide the best medical care available for your cat. You many not have considered all of these things but they are important to your cat and to our standard of care. Should you choose not to have us perform certain procedures, we will be happy to provide the remainder of your cat's health care. However, we sincerely hope you decide on us for your cat's total health care needs, including surgery.