I have discussed the aforementioned surgery and the importance of pre-surgical blood testing with the referring veterinarian. I understand that there are risks and hazards involved with the recommended surgical procedure, including anesthetic risk. I realized that no guaranty or warranty can ethically or professionally be made regarding the results or cure. I authorize the surgeons and/or associates of On the Spot Veterinary Surgeons LLC to perform surgery on my pet. I am also aware that Dr. Reynolds is not board certified. I understand that there are other board-certified surgeons in small animal available in the area.

Your pet has been diagnosed with a fractured bone that needs surgical repair. Orthopedic surgery is a combination of both art and science and the orthopedic surgeon will evaluate your pet’s radiographs and determine the best method of repair given your pet’s age, type of fracture or fractures, and the home environment for post-surgical rehabilitation. The surgeon may utilize one or a combination of pins, wires, screws, bone plates, or external fixator repair. The goal of any orthopedic surgery is fast return to function of the broken bone. Many times the method of repair can only be properly determined during surgery as fissures (small cracks in the bone) sometimes do not show up on a radiograph and can preclude certain types of fixation which would split the bone and worsen the fracture. Other times, in open or compound fractures or gunshot wounds that are contaminated, plates and screws can not be used as any infection would be difficult to correct. In most cases, there will be no complications and your pet’s bone will heal fully in 8-12 weeks. Unfortunately, in some cases, complications can arise, especially in our animal patients where bed rest and crutches are never an op+on. After fully discussing the planned surgical procedure and associated risks with your doctor or the surgeon, please sign the consent for surgery below:

The undersigned owner or authorized agent of admitted patient hereby authorizes the admitting veterinarian (and his/her designated associates or assistants) to administer such treatment as is necessary to perform the below-mentioned procedure. The nature of the procedure(s) has been explained to me and no guarantee has been made as to results or cure. I understand that there may be risk involved in these procedures. I consent to the administration of such anesthetics or tranquilizers as are necessary.

Anesthetic Risks: (Although every effort is made to make anesthesia as safe as possible including vital sign monitoring and use of the most up to date anesthetic agents and equipment, understand that anesthesia has inherent risks). The incidence of complications from anesthesia is extremely low and we do not anticipate any in your pet but on rare occasions the following can occur: 1. Allergic reaction to the anesthetic agents 2. Heart rhythm abnormalities 3. Untoward reactions to the gas including drops in blood pressure or respiratory difficulties 4. Just like in humans, on very rare occasions, general anesthesia can result in death.

I consent to the following surgical procedure(s): Fracture Repair

Include: 1. Infection (less than 3% in closed fractures) which may require additional testing and medication at an additional cost 2. Blood clots that can lodge in major organs causing stroke or rarely death before, during, or aXer anesthesia 3. Delayed healing of the bone (every pa+ent has a different ability to repair damaged bone that is not under the control of the surgeon) 4. Non-union (although rare, a non-union is where the bone does not heal despite our best attempts and will require a second surgery with bone grafting at additional cost to repair) 5. Loose or broken implants (these may cause your pet discomfort and need to be removed/replaced at additional cost) 6. With external fixators (pins that go through the skin and are connected to a rod outside the leg), pins can loosen or break and need replacement and on extremely rare occasions, severe bleeding can occur from blood vessels rubbing against the pins after surgery requiring surgical repair at additional cost. 7. Nerve Injury (especially spine and sacral fractures) which can be temporary or permanent. 8. Epidural complications are extremely rare but include transient (temporary) urinary retention, allergic reaction, itching at site of injection and transient rear leg weakness for 1-2 days. Strict adherence to post-surgical care and medicating of your pet will minimize these potential complications and serious problems are very uncommon in most cases.