Screening your pet’s blood before administering anaesthesia is often recommended, as it helps reduce medical risks and provides valuable baseline health data for future reference. We strongly advise pre-anaesthetic blood tests for all pets over the age of eight, available at an additional cost. If results fall within normal ranges, we can proceed with confidence, knowing the anaesthetic risk is minimised. However, if abnormalities are detected, we can adjust medications, modify the procedure, or take extra precautions to improve safety and reduce potential complications.

A small blood sample is collected from a vein in the leg or neck and tested for liver and kidney function, diabetes, and protein levels. Additionally, red blood cell count is assessed to ensure your pet is not anaemic.

The anaesthetics we use are of the highest standard in veterinary medicine and, in many cases, are the same as those used in human healthcare. While the overall risk of anaesthesia is very low, one of its effects is a temporary drop in blood pressure (hypotension). The longer or deeper the anaesthetic, the more blood pressure can decrease, placing stress on vital organs.

Young, elderly, and unwell animals are particularly vulnerable, as their organs are already working harder to maintain normal function. If blood pressure remains low for an extended period, it can cause organ damage, potentially worsening undetected conditions. In severe cases, prolonged hypotension may harm the brain, heart, or kidneys, leading to complications such as irreversible kidney failure.

To help prevent this, intravenous (IV) fluid therapy may be used to maintain stable blood flow, reduce organ strain, and aid in flushing the anaesthetic from the system post-surgery. IV fluids are administered through a catheter placed in a leg vein, providing a sterile saline solution before, during, and after the procedure to support a smoother recovery.