Pet Spay and Neuter Surgery in Las Vegas, NV

Today's modern anesthetic monitors have made surgery much safer for pets. Here at Sahara Pines Animal Hospital, we do a thorough physical exam and blood work on your pet before administering anesthetic, to ensure that a fever or other illness won't be a problem. We also adjust the amount and type of anesthetic used depending on your pet’s health.

Pre-anesthetic blood testing is important in reducing the risk of anesthesia. Every pet needs blood testing before surgery to ensure their liver and kidneys can handle the anesthetic. Even seemingly healthy animals can have serious organ system problems that cannot be detected without blood testing. If there is a problem, it is much better to find it before it causes anesthetic or surgical complications. Animals that have minor dysfunction will handle the anesthetic better if they receive IV fluids during surgery. If serious problems are detected, surgery can be postponed until the problem is treated.

We offer different levels of in-house blood testing before surgery, which we will go over with you when you bring your pet in. Our doctors prefer the more comprehensive screen because it gives them the most information to ensure the safety of your pet. For geriatric or ill pets, additional blood tests, electrocardiograms or X-rays may be required before surgery as well.

It is also important that your pet’s surgery be done on an empty stomach to reduce the risk of vomiting during and after anesthesia. You will need to withhold food for at least 8 to 10 hours before your pet’s surgery. Your pet can still drink water until the morning of surgery.

Anything that causes pain in people can be expected to cause pain in animals. Pets may not show the same signs of pain as people do; they usually don't whine or cry but you can be sure they feel it. Pain medications needed will depend on the surgery performed. Major procedures require more pain relief than things like minor lacerations.

For dogs, we may recommend an oral anti-inflammatory for several days after surgery to lessen the risk of discomfort and swelling. We use newer medications which are less likely to cause stomach upset and can be given even the morning of surgery.

Because cats do not tolerate standard pain medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen or Tylenol, we are limited in what we can give them. Recent advances in pain medications have allowed for better pain control in cats than ever before. We administer a pain injection prior to surgery. After surgery, pain medication is given on a case-by-case basis. Any animal that appears painful receives additional pain medication. Injectable pain medications may also be used after surgery on both dogs and cats. Providing whatever pain relief is appropriate is a humane and caring thing to do for your pet.

For many surgeries, we use absorbable sutures underneath the skin. These will dissolve on their own and do not need to be removed later. Some surgeries, especially tumor removals, do require skin stitches. With either type of suture, you will need to keep an eye on the incision for swelling or discharge. Dogs and cats may lick excessively or chew at the incision, but this is an occasional problem that can be avoided through the use of bitter spray and/or a medical collar.  If there are skin sutures, these will usually be removed 10 to 14 days after surgery. You will also need to limit your pet's activity level for a time and no baths are allowed for the first 10 days after surgery.

While your pet is under anesthesia, it is the ideal time to perform other minor procedures, such as dentistry, ear cleaning, or implanting an identification microchip. If you would like an estimate for these extra services, please call us ahead of time. This is especially important if the person dropping your pet off for surgery is not the primary decision maker for their care.

When you bring your pet in for surgery, you will need 5 to 10 minutes of time to fill out paperwork and make decisions on the blood testing and other options available. When you pick up your pet after surgery you can also plan to spend about 10 minutes going over your pet's home care needs.

We will call you the night before your pet’s scheduled surgery appointment to confirm the time you will be dropping your pet off and to answer any questions you might have. In the meantime, please don't hesitate to call us at (702) 876-7580 with any questions about your pet's health or surgery.