At Alpine Animal Hospital, we follow the AAHA standard of excellence in our anesthetic protocols.
Most procedures require that your pet spend all or part of a day with us. With the exception of water, you will be advised to fast your animal for 12 hours prior to surgery. This fast reduces the risk of anesthesia-induced vomiting and aspiration. In preparation for a procedure, your pet will undergo a physical exam prior to anesthesia or sedation. This is important to evaluate the heart and lungs and prepare for any additional anesthetic issues (e.g., brachycephalic or ‘squish-faced’ breeds, or overweight animals present special considerations).
Pre-anesthetic blood work (serum chemistry panel, CBC, and coagulation panel) is strongly advised for all animals undergoing anesthesia. This blood work allows evaluation of liver, kidneys, clotting ability, and oxygenation ability. Injectable anesthetic drugs are metabolized by either the liver or the kidneys, so it is important to know if there is any compromise to these organs. If so, alternate drugs are used.
Based on collected information, your pet’s doctor will formulate an anesthetic plan for your pet that takes into consideration the procedure being performed, your pet’s age, health status, and any other potential complications to ensure their safety and long-term health.
Depending on the procedure, your pet may undergo general anesthesia or a basic sedative that will last a short time. All animals undergoing general anesthesia have an intravenous catheter placed and are supported by intravenous fluids during the procedure. General anesthesia can lower blood pressure, which in turn can damage organs. Fluids help maintain adequate blood pressure. The catheter also allows immediate access to a vein for administration of anesthetic drugs and other medications, including antibiotics.
During general anesthesia, the patient is monitored continuously by a Certified Veterinary Technician. These technicians are specifically trained in anesthesia and keep records of the animal’s vital signs, including heart rate, blood pressure, ECG, body temperature, and oxygenation. This monitoring allows rapid adjustment of the anesthetic protocol to maintain both an appropriate level of anesthesia and appropriate patient condition.
Once the procedure is completed, the patient is moved to the intensive care area of our hospital. These cages are in the hospital’s central treatment area and allow for constant monitoring by doctors and technicians. Most animals return home from procedures the same day and are given discharge instructions that include a pain management plan, details regarding home care, and follow-up care recommendations.
Not all injuries or procedures require a general anesthetic. Some minor injuries or conditions require that your pet remain at the hospital for a few hours. First the pet is given a sedative drug that will allow the doctor to perform the procedure, treatments are performed, a reversal agent is then administered and once the pet is recovered from the sedation, they are ready to be discharged into your care. Examples of this include minor lacerations and wounds, broken toenails, and occasionally simple mass removals. Sometimes we do have to sedate pets that won’t allow examination due to temperament or pain. Severe ear infections and eye injuries are examples of these situations.
Recovery from sedation is typically faster and has less potential for complications but your pet will still need your support once you get them home from the hospital.
1. Medications: all medications are prescribed with your pet’s health and comfort in mind. Please give all medications as directed: pain medication, antibiotics, topical medication, etc.
2. Have a quiet, warm and comfortable place for them to recover. They may be tired and quiet for 24 hours; this is actually preferable as calm, quiet pets will heal faster. Although we do reverse some of the sedation, other drugs will remain in their system for a few hours so they may seem more awake when you pick them up and then get very sleepy with you get home.
3. Typically, it is ok to feed your pet after a sedated procedure but be sure to follow all the discharge instructions you are sent home with. If your pet doesn’t want to eat once they get home from the hospital that is OK. They should be drinking water and want to eat the next day.
4. Animals are different from humans in that they may chew at sutures or surgical incisions. They don’t understand what can happen and why they shouldn’t do that. This is where the cone of shame comes in. Love it, use it and it will aid in quick healing. Pets do not love e-collars but they usually get used to them. Only take the collar off when you can closely watch them. DO NOT leave it off at night! Ask us about the different types of collars we carry in the hospital so you can make the best choice for you and your pet. If an e-collar will not keep your pet from getting to the surgical site our team can make other suggestions (a shirt, sometimes a pair of shorts, socks, etc) that will serve the same purpose. Also keep any of your other pets from licking at your pet’s incisions.
5. Follow up care. Your pet may have sutures or staples that need to be removed or your veterinarian may want to evaluate your pet sometime after the procedure to be sure they are recovering appropriately. Please schedule any recommended follow-up appointments before you take your pet home, that way you won’t forget.
More serious complications or side effects may occur post procedure that require a phone call or a recheck appointment. If you notice any of these signs, please contact us immediately (970) 963-2371 or visit Valley Emergency Pet Care if it is after hours.
– Extreme lethargy or listlessness (especially after the first 24 hours)
– Excessive redness or irritation around the suture line
– Excessive or increased pain
– Swelling or a lump around the incision site
– Discharge from the site
– Vomiting, diarrhea, inappetence or blood in the stool
– If your pet is actively straining but unable to have a bowel movement
– Broken sutures or odor from the wound
If your beloved dog needs a procedure that requires general anesthesia, you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed and anxious. While this is a natural reaction, pet surgical procedures are routine, and anesthesia is administered with every precaution taken to ensure a smooth experience and recovery for your dog. In this article, we will discuss the different types of anesthesia, dog breeds that may be more sensitive to anesthesia, what you need to know before your dog undergoes surgery, possible but rare complications of anesthesia, monitoring by the veterinarian to ensure your dog’s safety, and what you need to watch for at home post-surgery.
What Are the Types of Anesthesia Used for Dogs?
Anesthesia is a medication or combination of medications that ease a pet into unconsciousness for surgery, so they don’t feel pain during the process. There are two types of anesthesia used on dogs: general anesthesia and local anesthesia.
- General Anesthesia: A combination of drugs that cause your pet to become unconscious and unresponsive for the duration of a medical procedure. This type of anesthesia keeps your pet still while they undergo a longer, more complicated procedure.
- Local Anesthesia: Local anesthetic drugs are injected directly into the area being treated. It numbs only that specific body part, and your pet remains awake and alert during the treatment.
What Breeds Are More Sensitive to Anesthesia?
Certain dog breeds may react differently to anesthesia due to their genetic and anatomical differences. It’s essential to note that while these breeds have an increased risk, anesthesia can still be safely and successfully administered with the necessary precautions. Breeds that are more sensitive to anesthesia include brachycephalic breeds (Pugs, Boston Terriers, Pekingese, Boxers, Bulldogs, and Shih Tzus), sighthounds (Greyhounds, Salukis, Italian Greyhounds, and Whippets), herding breeds (Shetland Sheepdogs and Australian Shepherds), giant breeds (Great Danes and St. Bernards) and toy breeds (Chihuahuas and Yorkies). Doberman Pinschers and Boxers may also have specific sensitivities to anesthesia
What Do Pet Owners Need to Know Before Anesthesia?
Prior to receiving anesthesia, a veterinarian will perform a thorough physical examination of your pet, review its medical history, and discuss any risk factors. Blood tests may also be conducted to check for any developing medical problems or anesthetic risks. Pets are usually given a pre-anesthetic sedative to reduce stress and ease the process.
It is important for your pet’s stomach to be empty before anesthesia as the drugs can cause vomiting, which can lead to aspiration pneumonia. Therefore, you should not feed your pet after 8:00 pm the evening before the anesthetic procedure. Water should be available throughout the night but should be taken away first thing in the morning. However, there are exceptions to this, especially in the case of puppies, kittens, or diabetic pets.
On the day of surgery, you should plan for your pet to be at the animal hospital for most of the day, with typical discharge times in the late afternoon. Some procedures may require overnight hospitalization. Post-surgery, your pet might not act “normal” due to the lingering effects of pain medication and anesthesia. This is typical and should be expected. The AVMA details what happens before, during, and after a pet anesthetic procedure.
What Are the Possible Complications of Anesthesia?
The overall anesthetic-related risk of death in dogs is low, at approximately 0.17%. Other notable complications include hypotension (low blood pressure), hypothermia (low body temperature), hypoxemia (low blood oxygen), and hypoventilation (respiratory depression). Other reported complications include regurgitation, aspiration pneumonia, corneal ulcers, and in cats, blindness.
The risk of anesthesia-related death in pets increases significantly with the animal’s health condition and age. Poor health status, age, inadequate monitoring, certain breeds, and endotracheal intubation in cats are associated with a higher mortality risk.
Anesthesia safety has improved significantly over the years due to better monitoring and the use of checklists to improve safety. While there are no 100% safe anesthetic agents or procedures available for pets, veterinarians do everything possible to minimize any risks your pet may face while under anesthesia by performing comprehensive pre-anesthesia testing and providing close monitoring during and after the procedure.
What Monitoring is Done By the Veterinarian to Ensure Safety?
Today, modern monitoring devices keep your pet safe while they’re under anesthesia. Veterinary professionals are highly trained to monitor your pet’s heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, oxygen levels, temperature, and other vital signs.
They also provide positive-pressure ventilation with an inhalant anesthetic agent when necessary. This is especially important for pets with respiratory or cardiac diseases that can be worsened by the effects of general anesthesia.
What Do Pet Owners Need to Watch for Post-Anesthesia?
Once your pet is back home, it’s important to provide a warm and quiet environment with access to clean drinking water. Food intake should be monitored with small portions decreasing the risk of nausea and vomiting. Your dog’s activities need to be restricted for about a week to avoid straining the wound, including running, jumping, and other strenuous activities.
In some cases, the vet may recommend cage rest, where the pet should be kept in a cage large enough for its bed and food/water bowls but not so large that it can over-exert itself. This rest helps the pet recover without risking injury or strain.
It’s also important to watch for signs of complications such as extreme tiredness or inability to stand, low energy for over 48 hours, pain or discomfort, issues with toileting, redness, swelling, bleeding or discharge around the wound. These could be signs of infection or other complications that require immediate veterinary attention.
Conclusion
Anesthesia is a crucial part of many pet medical procedures, with modern monitoring devices ensuring your dog’s safety. The team of veterinary professionals at Alpine Animal Hospital will do everything possible to minimize risks your dog may face while under anesthesia by performing comprehensive pre-anesthesia testing and providing close monitoring during and after the procedure.
At Alpine Animal Hospital, your pet is our priority. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call our team at (970) 963-2371, or you can email us at [email protected]. Our staff would love to talk with you!
Don't forget to follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram.