Some procedures will require your pet to be under general anesthesia so that he or she will be unconscious and not feel pain. Many pet owners worry about their pets being administered general anesthesia which is completely normal. We can assure you that modern anesthesia is generally quite safe; to further lower any risk, we perform a physical examination and run pre-anesthetic blood work prior to all procedures to catch any underlying health issues. In addition, we follow a specific anesthetic protocol, including continuously monitoring vital signs during any procedures, to ensure the safety of our patients.
Most general anesthetic procedures are started with administering pre-anesthetic medications that are chosen specifically for your pet to help them relax and reduce any anxiety or pain. Anesthesia will be induced with an IV medication and an endotracheal tube will be placed to protect the airway from accidental inhalation of foreign material such as stomach contents, saliva, blood, or water. Maintaining anesthesia is done with anesthetic gases. IV fluids and drugs are available to prevent and treat any complications if they arise; and monitoring your pet’s vital signs will occur on a regular basis throughout the procedure and continued during recovery.
Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns about your pet receiving general anesthesia or about the procedure for which your pet is scheduled.
