To help to minimise the risk of infection a special steriliser (an autoclave) is used for our surgical instruments. The steriliser records the temperature reached within the area of the instruments, and then produces a confirmation slip to show how long the temperature was held for. The instruments are packed into kits for a particular operation; wrapped in the surgical drapes; and inserted into a sterilisation pouch. The plastic pouch contains a marker which changes colour when the correct temperature is reached within the sterliser. This marker, together with the printout from the sterilser confirms that the instruments have been correctly sterilised. Before the instruments are packed for sterilisation. they are placed in an ultrasonic bath. This bath contains special chemicals which help to remove blood and other contaminants from the instruments. The bath itself produces sound wave vibrations throughout the liquid, thus helping to remove the particles of even more persistent blood and tissue from the instruments.

We use halothane and isoflurane for the safety of the patients and our staff. A general anaesthetic is used for any major surgical procedure. Pets are unconscious and this allows us to operate without them feeling any pain, discomfort or distress. Local anaesthetic can be used for minor procedures, however often a sedative may be needed as well.

A Heart Monitor is used to monitor your pet’s heart rate when under an anaesthetic; this helps to monitor the depth of anaesthesia. Heart monitors can usually be set to give an audible of every beat; or set to give a warning if the heart rate increases or decreases. Some monitors will show a trace of the electrical activity within the heart. This trace is called an ECG or electrocardiogram.

The ECG looks at the electrical activity of the heart. This gives an indication as to how well the heart is working – but also can help to diagnose any problems with heart rhythm, such as heart blocks or extra beats. ECG’s can also be used as part of anaesthetic monitoring.

A Respiration Monitor is used to monitor your pet’s breathing when under an anaesthetic. This provides a means of helping to regulate the depth of anaesthesia and improves the overall safety of the procedure.

These machines measure the oxygen content of the blood and therefore measure how well the whole cardio-vascular system (heart, lungs and circulation) is working. The sensor is usually attached to an extremity where the skin is thin. Like any other monitoring system it will increase the safety of anaesthesia.

Blood Pressure Monitors

These monitors can be used during anaesthesia as part of the safety monitoring. Blood pressure measurement is also useful when screening older pets for heart disease or kidney disease for example. Regular blood pressure checks can also be used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment for kidney disease.

These can be as simple as a simple thermometer or can be more complex such as continuous electronic monitoring. Keeping track of patients’ body temperature is important during illness and also during anaesthesia. During anaesthesia the normal control mechanisms that pets use to regulate their own body temperature tend not to work as well, therefore pets can lose heat and become chilled, this can prolong anaesthesia and cause other problems. By monitoring their temperature and providing external heating we can avoid the problems of hypothermia and increase the safety of our anaesthetics.

Blood gas monitors are designed to monitor the levels of “vital” gases in the bloodstream, the levels of oxygen – O2 - (the fuel) and Carbon Dioxide – CO2 (the waste) reflect how well the whole cardiovascular system (heart, lungs and circulation) is working.

Because patients’ control of body temperature does not work as well as normal when under anaesthesia, providing a heated operating table helps to avoid hypothermia. All anaesthetised patients feel the cold, this is the purpose of using a heated operating table/pads. Provision of heat is important for the smaller patients (the rats, mice etc) and also for the patients undergoing lengthy surgical procedures. Hypothermia can be a cause of death for smaller patients; and a cause of prolonged recovery in both cats and dogs.

Gallamore Lane Industrial Estate, Market Rasen, Lincs LN8 3RX. Tel. 01673 842 448

The cardiocap machine tests the blood on various aspects; it tests for E.C.G but also blood pressure, temperature and airway gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide.