General Surgery

We have two dedicated operating theatres

Surgical Facilities

We have two dedicated operating theatres catering for both soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery. This allows us to perform various operations from routine neutering and lump removals to emergency and advanced key hole operations in a sterile, infection free-environment. Being part of the RCVS practice standards scheme means that we regularly hold clinical governance meetings to ensure that the highest surgical standards are maintained.

General Anaesthetics and your Pet

Patients undergoing a general anaesthetic at the Dragon Vets are appointed a dedicated veterinary surgeon and surgical nurse who will care for your pet throughout the day. Our trained nurses will monitor your pet continuously in conjunction with the vets throughout their anaesthetic. We use modern monitoring equipment to ensure that all anaesthetics proceed without complication.

This includes:

  • Pulse-Oxymetry
  • Capnography
  • Oesophageal Stethoscopes
  • Active patient warming
  • Doppler Blood Pressure Monitors
  • ECG
  • Intravenous Fluid Therapy
  • Intravenous fluid warming
  • Blood Gas Analysis
  • Blood Lactate Analysis

We have heavily invested in the safest and best anaesthetic medicines to minimise the risk to your pet. This includes Sevoflurane and Isoflurane inhalational gasses combined with nitrous oxide/oxygen mixtures.

Dragon Vets offer all of their surgical patients pre-anaesthetic blood testing. Pre-anaesthetic blood testing checks that organs such as the kidneys and liver are functioning properly. We also check that your pet has adequate red blood cells to carry enough oxygen around their body during an anaesthetic. These important tests can be carried out rapidly in the in-house laboratory.

Pre-operative Information

Please note that no food should be given after 9pm the evening before surgery, but water should be available overnight. (Pets under 4 months old or rabbits and guinea pigs should not be starved overnight. Also, do not starve your pet if the veterinary surgeon has said otherwise).

Please walk dogs in the morning to allow them to empty their bladder and bowels.

Please also bring with you any pet insurance details you have if you wish to make a claim.

Pain Relief

Dragon’s Cheltenham Vets firmly believe that pain relief is not an optional extra. Pain management strategies are individually designed for all surgical patients, before, during and after their procedure. Rest easy, in the knowledge that your pets will be as comfortable as possible throughout their time at the practice. This includes the use of medicines such as morphine and fentanyl as appropriate.

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