Post-Operative Patient Care in Veterinary Assistance

Post-Operative Patient Care

Role of the Veterinary Assistant

• Assists in monitoring and recording the recovery of surgical patients.

• Helps maintain the patient’s mental state and airway during recovery.

Recovery Duration

• Recovery time is variable; it can be short or long depending on:

  • Duration of surgery

  • Type of anesthesia used

• Longer surgeries may lead to:

  • Extended recovery time due to increased anesthesia time

  • Lower body temperature

  • Low blood pressure

  • Difficulties in normal breathing.

Anesthesia Effects on Recovery

• Gas Anesthesia:

  • Generally results in shorter recovery times because it exits the system faster than injectable medication.

• A patient’s mental state:

  • Patients who were hyperactive prior to intubation often wake up in a similar, agitated state.

  • Insufficient sedative effect from pre-anesthetic medications due to adrenaline.

Post-Surgery Care Steps

• Post-surgery protocol includes:

  • Turning off anesthesia and allowing oxygen flow for a few minutes.

  • Disconnecting monitors and cleaning the incision area.

• The endotracheal tube (ET tube) must be de-cuffed before transporting the patient to recovery.

Recovery Environment

• Importance of recovering in a separate, closed area:

  • Prevents panic and agitation as recovery can be stressful for the animal.

  • Use a towel or blanket for comfort, taking precautions against bites.

• Additional medication may be given as necessary.

Handling Vomiting

• If vomiting occurs:

  • Position the patient with their head lowered over a table or elevate the rear end to allow vomit to flow out.

• ET tube should not be removed until the patient is fully awake to maintain an open airway.

  • Vomiting should not be common if pre-operative feeding instructions were followed.

Monitoring Vital Signs

• Consistent monitoring of:

  • Heart rate and respiration during recovery.

  • Watch for heart arrhythmias that may normalize over time.

• Continuous post-extubation monitoring is critical for ensuring stable heart rhythms.

Temperature Monitoring and Management

• Monitor the patient’s temperature; provide warmth if too low:

  • Use warm towels, water bottles, warming pads, or a Bair Hugger system.

Fluid Management

• Re-establish IV fluids to ensure proper hydration following surgery.

• Observe the incision site for changes, swelling, or signs of complications.

Extubation of the Patient

• The endotracheal tube can be removed once:

  • The patient exhibits a swallow reflex and has adequate jaw tone.

  • Reflex actions to stimuli are observed (e.g., leg movement, rubbing the body).

• Special considerations for brachiocephalic dogs to ensure they can sit up on their own before tube removal.

Post-Operative Observations

• Ongoing monitoring of:

  • Temperature, pulse, respiration (TPR) and capillary refill time (CRT).

  • Incision site for swelling or bleeding and prevent self-trauma (e.g., applying an Elizabethan collar).

• Pain management should be ensured, and food/water can be offered upon veterinarian approval.

Documentation

• Anesthesia records are essential:

  • Document anesthesia duration, medications administered, and vital signs during surgery.

  • Include technician/assistant initials involved in patient care for accountability.

References

• Sirois, M. (2021) Elsevier's Veterinary Assisting Textbook. 3rd Edition.