IV Catheter and Fluids

Trinity Veterinary Hospital places intravenous (IV) catheters and runs IV fluids to all surgical patients.   An intravenous catheter allows quick venous access if needed.  Anesthetic adverse events are pretty rare, but they do happen.  In that moment when time is of the essence, an IV catheter can be a life saver by allowing medications to quickly and easily be placed in a patients vein for a fast response.  The IV catheter also allows the on going use of IV fluids can help maintain proper blood pressure through out surgery.  This decreases the potential for damage to the kidneys or other vital organs.

Antibiotic Injection

Antibiotics have been around for years to help treat bacterial infections.  We use good sterile technique for surgery and take many necessary precautions, however in some cases the addition of an antibiotic injection is necessary.  Therefore, this is included with the surgery cost in any cases deemed necessary.  

Anti-Inflammatory Injection

This is an injection of a NSAID (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug) that is used as a pain medication to reduce pain caused by an inflammatory process.  This is effective in surgical cases because surgery causes inflammation at the surgical site.  By reducing this inflammation, pain is reduced.  

At-Home Pain Medication

NSAIDs are the most common type of at home pain medication.  They work to reduce inflammation at the surgical site.  Reduced inflammation then equals less pain.  In some patients and some surgical procedures, NSAIDs are not enough pain control or cannot be used.   These patients require different therapeutic options like Tramadol or Gabapentin.  These medications actually work as true pain medications by blocking pain signals being sent to the brain.

Elizabethan Collar

Commonly just referred to as an E collar or the "Cone of Shame".   Trinity Veterinary Clinic recommends all surgical patients go home with an E-Collar.  We understand that they are not the most fashionable item out there and that Pets face challenges maneuvering through the house and eating with them on.  However, surgical incisions tend to have pain and irritation post-surgery, which causes the Pet to be itchy and want to lick at their incision.  The old wives’ tail that licking allows the wound to heal is far from the truth.  The mouth is full of bacteria which can get introduced to the surgical site and cause an infection if this is allowed.  In addition, Pets can lick hard enough to actually tear open the surgical sutures.