General Anesthesia Consent

By signing below, I confirm that I am at least 18 years of age, and as the legal owner of this pet, give the Arizona Humane Society, its veterinarians, employees, volunteers, representatives, or agents, authorization to receive, vaccinate, prescribe for, treat, and operate upon your pet. I understand and acknowledge that the Arizona Humane Society uses modern techniques and trained staff in the care of my pet(s) and that reasonable precautions are used to prevent escape or injury to the animal or the handler(s). I understand that the limited physical examination the veterinarian will perform today is used solely to determine whether or not the patient appears healthy enough to proceed with anesthesia and/or receive vaccines. This exam is not meant to replace an annual complete physical exam, and will not include testing my pet for any diseases or diagnosing/treating my pet for any past, current, or future condition. The veterinarian cannot address medical issues unrelated to surgery and/or the administration of vaccines at this time. I further understand that the attending veterinarian may refuse to perform surgery and/or any vaccination if he/she believes it may endanger my pet's health in any way. I understand and acknowledge that a surgical complication and/or an adverse reaction to medications or vaccine(s) may occur that would require medical intervention by the staff veterinarian. If additional treatment is needed beyond the initial intervention, I acknowledge that I am responsible for transporting my pet to a private veterinary clinic. I agree to pay all reasonable charges for procedures deemed necessary by the attending veterinarian to maintain a reasonable quality of life for my pet in this instance. I acknowledge that less immediate complications can also arise and that I will receive aftercare instructions. I understand that should my pet require post-operative care that is not a result of a surgical complication, I will be charged an office recheck fee as well as any additional costs associated with the treatment plan. I will be informed of any changes in the proposed care and treatment of my pet, as well as any change in the condition of my pet. If I cannot be reached and/or an emergency situation arises, the hospital doctor(s) and staff are to use sound medical judgment in caring for my pet. I am to be informed of the discharge date for my pet, and will be expected to pay all charges in full upon the release of my pet.

• I understand that if my female pet is in-heat or pregnant and undergoing sterilization, the procedure may be more complicated and there can be a greater risk of post-surgical bleeding due to an increased blood supply to the uterus. If my pet is in-heat or pregnant, I accept that I will be charged a high-risk fee of $25.
• Should my pet be left in the hospital beyond the discharge date without prior arrangements, I understand I will be charged a $60 late fee or $100 overnight fee, whichever is applicable. I further understand that if I fail to contact AHS in this case, abandonment procedures will be initiated as outlined by Arizona State Law, and that I will be fully responsible for all accrued charges until my pet is removed from the hospital or considered abandoned by Arizona State Law.
• My pet will receive a small tattoo on his/her underside to show that he/she has been sterilized.
• The Arizona Humane Society understands that a visit to the veterinarian can be stressful for a pet. As a result, there is a chance that a complete exam may not be possible until my pet has been sedated. Although anesthesia in a healthy pet carries low risk, a small percentage of pets may have an underlying medical condition (such as a heart murmur) that may not be detectable without performing a thorough physical examination. I understand these risks and authorize the Arizona Humane Society to examine my pet under anesthesia if they are unable to complete a physical exam prior to sedation.
• To the best of my knowledge, my pet has not bitten any person within the last 10 days. I understand that if he/she has bitten someone within 10 days, I must inform the staff of the bite history.

By signing below, I confirm that I have fully read, understand, and agree to these conditions.

If you selected any of the above conditions you MUST read the below terms and sign below if you would like to proceed with surgery. There is also a $25 high-risk associated fee.
Please note that the attending veterinarian may require a high-risk waiver for other conditions or may refuse to perform surgery if he/she believes it may endanger my pet's health in any way.

Heart Murmur
A heart murmur is caused by a disturbance in blood flow. The murmur is graded on how loud it is, and a high rating does not necessarily mean the underlying heart disease is more severe. There are many different causes of a heart murmur, which is why our best recommendation is to follow up with your regular veterinarian prior to surgery. We are willing to perform surgery on your pet with the understanding that anesthesia and surgery do pose a higher risk for complications including death. We may place an IV catheter in the leg of our high-risk patients so that we have immediate IV access in the event of a complication. There is a $25 high-risk fee if you elect to proceed.

Overweight/Obese
Overweight patients generally present more of a surgical challenge requiring more operating time and have a greater risk of bleeding during surgery than healthy patients. Additionally, your pet can have more trouble breathing in the time before, during, and after surgery due to the excess weight on his/her lungs as he/she is placed in various positions throughout the day. Our best recommendation is a weight loss of prior to surgery. We are willing to perform surgery on your pet with the understanding that anesthesia and surgery do pose a higher risk for complications including death. We may place an IV catheter in the leg of our high-risk patients so that we have immediate IV access in the event of a complication. There is a $25 high-risk fee if you elect to proceed.

Brachycephaly
A brachycephalic animal has a short nose and other anatomical abnormalities, such as small nostrils, which put them at greater risk for having trouble breathing. Our best recommendation is that your pet has surgery at your regular veterinarian, who can provide constant supervision throughout the pre- and post-operative period in the event your pet develops respiratory distress. We are willing to perform surgery on your pet with the understanding that anesthesia and surgery do pose a higher risk for complications including death. We may place an IV catheter in the leg of our high-risk patients so that we have immediate IV access in the event of a complication. There is a $25 high-risk fee if you elect to proceed.

Von Willebrand's Disease
Von Willebrand's Disease is a serious disease found most commonly in Doberman pinscher breed dogs but it can affect other breeds as well. Von Wlllebrand's disease affects an animal's ability to clot which is essential during and after surgery. A simple screening test we will perform the morning of the procedure, called a mucosa I bleed time will enable us to screen out most Dobermans who may have this disease. It is important to know it is not a 100% percent accurate test and false positives and false negatives can occur. If your animal tests positive we will not perform surgery and we will recommend you go to a full service clinic that can provide the support your animal may need for it to safely have surgery. There is a $25 high-risk fee if you elect to proceed.

By signing below, I confirm that I have read the conditions above and understand that my pet is considered high risk and I am okay with proceeding with surgery. I further understand that the attending veterinarian may refuse to perform surgery if he/she believes it may endanger my pet's health in any way. If your pet does NOT have any of the above conditions please write N/A in the box below.