Large animal surgery has two major components: equine/horse surgery and farm animal surgery. Important questions may differ between these two groups. Your animals depend on you to find a veterinarian with the experience and training necessary to perform their surgery; some important questions to ask your veterinarian are listed below for horses and farm animals.
Many surgeries that horses and farm animals undergo would benefit from the attention of a veterinary surgery specialist. These specialists are the veterinary surgeons that have been board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS). Read Large Animal Health Topics and Surgical Procedures for more information.
Questions to Ask Your Veterinarian Before Your Horse Has Surgery
- How often have you performed this surgery?
- Does the surgery require special equipment? Is the equipment available at your clinic?
- Will my horse require anesthesia? Is your staff trained specifically to do anesthesia on horses? How often do you anesthetize horses at your clinic?
- What are the risks and possible complications of anesthesia and surgery? How would you handle these complications if they occur?
- Are there alternative procedures available?
- What type of care will my horse require after surgery? Is this something I can do, or do they need to stay in the hospital?
- Will my horse need to be on stall rest after surgery? If so for how long?
- Can I expect my horse to return to its previous level of performance?
- How long before my horse can return to regular work and turnout?
- What sort of rehabilitation program will my horse need before returning to regular work?
- Would it be better if a board-certified veterinary surgeon performed this procedure?
Questions to Ask Your Veterinarian Before Your Farm Animal Has Surgery
- How will this surgery or any drugs used affect the meat, milk, fiber quality or reproductive status of my animal?
- Can my animal be used for meat, milk, fiber or breeding purposes after this procedure is performed?
- Can the procedure(s) you’re recommending be performed at the farm?
- What are the possible risks and complications?
- Are alternative procedures available?
- How often have you performed this surgery?
- Does the surgery require special equipment? Is the equipment available at your clinic?
- Will my animal require anesthesia? Is your staff trained specifically to do anesthesia on farm animals? How often do you anesthetize farm animals at your clinic?
- What type of care will my farm animal require after surgery? Is this something I can do on the farm, or do they need to stay in the hospital?
- Will my farm animal need to be confined after surgery? If so for how long?
- How long before my animal can return to its regular routine?
- Would it be better if a board-certified veterinary surgeon performed this procedure?
