OUR COMMITMENT TO SURGERY PATIENT CARE

» Internal Medicine and Surgery	» Surgery at West Hills
» Internal Medicine	» Standards of Care

We, the veterinarians, technicians, and caregivers at West Hills Animal Hospital, are committed to providing our patients with the safest surgical environment possible.  In this endeavor, we have established a standard of care that strives to meet that goal. 

This standard of care includes age appropriate blood chemistry screening to determine the function of certain internal organ systems and the presence of specific diseases such as diabetes mellitus and thyroid conditions.  This information aids doctors in identifying high-risk patients and allows for changes in anesthesia or postponement to begin treatments.

Another vital part of this standard is intravenous fluids during the procedures.  The IV catheter serves many purposes by providing an open line through which emergency medication can be administered, maintaining blood pressure, and shortening anesthesia recovery time. 

All surgical patients are also diligently monitored before, during and after all procedures. In surgery monitoring includes the use of various equipment such as oxygen monitors, carbon dioxide monitors, breathing monitors, continuous reading thermometers, warming devices, electrocardiographs (ECG's) etc.

Lastly, our entire team is trained to evaluate patients for the symptoms of discomfort or pain.  We maintain a strict pain management protocol that includes an in depth scoring system and the use of various effective medications.

Our goal, like yours, is to ensure optimal care for your pet.  We are proud to establish this standard of care for all pets at our hospital and look forward to serving you and your pets in the future.