Surgery

No matter how long the surgery takes, it is included. These are emergency surgeries that we are used to doing and sometimes they take longer than expected but, you don’t have to worry about incurring these extra costs as it’s all included.

This does not include unexpected complications that require a Boarded Surgeon, Internal Medicine, Anesthesiologist, or ICU and Criticalist

This does not include unexpected complications during or after surgery such as:

• dehiscence- sometimes patients do not heal well, and the surgical sites come apart requiring a second surgery
• a complicating pancreatitis that requires further diagnostics (blood work +/- an abdominal ultrasound)
• a delayed recovery beyond the 48 hours, additional costs would not be included as this too, is an unexpected complication, and often is due to another underlying condition

Anesthetic

Includes individual tailored anesthetic protocols (hydromorphone, methadone, hydro-midazolam combination, Fentanyl CRI, HLK CRI etc.)

Technician monitoring throughout surgery

One of our veterinary technicians (animal nurses) is monitoring patient anesthetic from induction to recovery and never leaves your pet's side. This includes Doppler blood pressure monitoring, cardiac monitoring, CO2 monitoring etc. They have an animal care attendant with them at all times as well as to get them anything they need throughout the process.

Post operative analgesia

Includes individual tailored analgesia, including CRI’s as needed.

Minor diagnostics as needed

PCV’s to assess blood levels and BG levels to assess blood glucose as needed.

Up to 48 hours of post-op recovery

We have put a limit on recovery time, as patients typically recover within this window, and if they are not recovering as expected, then this is when we would recommend further work up to find out why (not included), or humane euthanasia as the nicest thing we can do to not allow our pets to suffer.

Intra-op radiographs as needed

For example, during a cystotomy, to ensure no stones were hiding or missed as they can be extremely small.

Complications after discharge are not included

For instance, not adhering to discharge instructions or permitting activities like running or jumping can lead to the incision opening. We provide comprehensive discharge instructions that should be carefully followed to ensure your pet's optimal recovery.

Euthanasia and Communal Cremation

An option if owners opt not to proceed given findings during surgery (i.e. cancer), or continued deterioration rather than recovery.

We will not allow our patients to suffer needlessly if they are not recovering as expected, and if we feel that they are deteriorating despite our best efforts, a decision must be made for humane euthanasia (at our expense), further work up or care beyond the expected post-op recovery (at owner expense), or transfer to a referral clinic (at owner expense).

Oral medications to go home are included

For example, an antibiotic may be necessary for a week after surgery if there was concern with infection, or gastrointestinal support sent home to make sure they continue to recover and feel good until they are completely back to themselves.