Our operating theatre is a strictly controlled aseptic room, fully equipped with some of the most advanced anaesthetic and monitoring equipment currently available. We have set rigorous standards for our theatre practices, and all operations are carried out by a surgeon wearing appropriate theatre suits, hat, mask, gloves and theatre only shoes. This is still not a routine in many veterinary practices!
We are currently using the anaesthetic sevoflurane, which is considered to be the safest and best anaesthetic agent currently available. We are one of only a handful of practices using this next generation anaesthetic, but the difference is improved safety and better recovery times. Although more costly, we feel safety is more important than cost. We currently use the Humphrey ADE anaesthetic circuit, again for its enhanced safety profile, and waste gases are actively scavenged.
All patients are monitored under anaesthetic by our nursing staff who have advanced training in anaesthetic monitoring. This is backed up by monitoring equipment of the same standards seen in hospital theatres and intensive care bays.
We can monitor ecg, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygen concentration (pulse oximetry), pulse rate, non-invasive blood pressure, invasive blood pressure, capnography (inspired and expired carbon dioxide levels), inspired oxygen and nitrous levels, and inspired/expired anaethetic gas levels (MAC levels).
There is also a mechanical ventilator which can be used to take over breathing when necessary.
This degree of equipment may seem over the top for veterinary practice, but it means that we can anaesthetise older, sicker and riskier patients than ever before, and we are less likely to refuse an operation simply based on age. Each patient is carefully assessed as an individual before undergoing any anaesthetic procedure.