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.

Our 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 fluid therapy throughout, and if indicated, prior to and after the surgical procedure. The IV catheter serves many purposes by providing an open line through which emergency medication can be administered, maintaining blood pressure to protect kidney health, and shortening the anesthesia recovery time.

All surgical patients are also diligently monitored before, during, and after all procedures. While in surgery, we utilize high-tech equipment to monitor the patient’s oxygen level, carbon dioxide input and output, respiratory rate, core body temperature, heartrate and rhythm, and blood pressure. 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 multi-modal pain management medications.

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