Surgical Safety, Monitoring, and Patient Care

At Arbor View Animal Hospital, we place a strong emphasis on patient safety and comfort throughout every stage of the surgical process.

We are accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association, which means we follow rigorous standards for anesthesia, monitoring, and patient care. These standards help ensure that pets receive a high level of care before, during, and after surgery.

Individualized Anesthesia Protocols

No two patients are alike. Anesthetic plans are carefully tailored based on each pet’s species, age, and underlying health conditions. This individualized approach helps reduce anesthetic risk and supports safer outcomes.

We maintain a wide range of medications for pre-medication, induction, and post-operative pain control, allowing us to customize protocols for both traditional and exotic species.

Pre-Anesthetic Preparation & Safety Protocols

Every patient receives a thorough physical examination prior to anesthesia to ensure they are an appropriate candidate for sedation and surgery.

Whenever possible, an intravenous (IV) catheter is placed before anesthesia. This allows us to administer medications efficiently and provides immediate access for life-saving drugs if needed during a procedure.

Induction medications are administered through the IV catheter to allow for a smooth and controlled transition into anesthesia. This approach reduces stress compared to mask induction alone.

All patients receive appropriate pain management for procedures expected to cause discomfort, including medications administered during their visit as well as pain control for recovery at home.

Pain management is an important part of every surgical procedure, and we use medications both during and after surgery to keep patients as comfortable as possible.

Continuous Monitoring During Anesthesia

During anesthesia, patients are continuously monitored by a trained team member whose sole responsibility is to oversee anesthesia and patient stability throughout the procedure.

We utilize advanced monitoring equipment to track:

• Heart rate
• Electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Blood pressure
• Oxygen levels (pulse oximetry)
• Carbon dioxide levels (capnography)
• Body temperature

These parameters are monitored continuously because even subtle changes can indicate the need for medical intervention. Our team is trained to identify and respond to these changes proactively to maintain patient stability.

While the veterinarian and surgical team focus on the procedure, a dedicated highly trained team member remains focused solely on anesthesia monitoring to ensure patient safety at all times.

This level of preparation and monitoring allows our team to identify and address changes early, helping to support safer anesthetic outcomes.

Advanced Monitoring & Airway Management

During anesthesia, patients are closely monitored using advanced equipment while trained team members continuously assess vital parameters.

Maintaining control of a patient’s airway is a critical component of safe anesthesia. This can be more challenging in smaller or specialized species and requires both training and specialized equipment.

Our hospital is equipped to manage patients of all sizes, from very small exotic species to larger dogs, using appropriately sized equipment and techniques.

Surgical Suite & Sterile Technique

All procedures are performed in a dedicated surgical suite designed to maintain a sterile environment.

Our surgical team follows strict sterile protocols, including the use of gowns, masks, caps, and sterile gloves. These measures help reduce the risk of post-operative complications such as incision infections.

Specialized Equipment for All Species

We utilize specialized equipment designed for a wide range of patient sizes and species. For example, airway management tools used for small exotic patients differ significantly from those used for dogs and cats.

We also have additional supportive equipment, including a ventilator and incubators, to assist with both surgical procedures and post-operative recovery when needed.

Communication & Post-Operative Care

Following surgery, our veterinarians personally communicate with pet owners to provide updates on how the procedure went, answer questions, and discuss next steps in recovery.

We provide customized discharge instructions for each patient and review them in detail at the time of discharge to help ensure a smooth and comfortable recovery at home.

This level of individualized care, monitoring, and equipment allows us to safely manage a wide range of surgical procedures across many different species.

Frequently Asked Questions