Sarasota Animal Hospital

What happens to my pet during anesthesia?

About Anesthesia
 
General anesthesia provides a safe way to perform surgeries, dental procedures, or other painful procedures on pets. There are obvious concerns with performing anesthesia, and we at Sarasota Animal Hospital take every measure to keep these risks to a minimum. 
 
Evaluations before the procedure help identify any pre-existing conditions in your pet that may cause subsequent complications, such as, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, blood disorders, lung disease, etc. Patients are also monitored during anesthesia to make sure that proper life vitals are maintained. Appropriate actions are then able to be taken to correct any deviation from normal vital limits. After anesthesia, patients are recovered under full observation of doctors and technicians.
 
While anesthesia does pose minimal risks, every effort is taken to assure the safety of each and every patient. If you have any questions about your pet’s anesthetic plan, please feel free to ask your pet’s doctor or veterinary technician.

 
Pre-Anesthesia
 
Pre-anesthetic exam: A complete exam is performed on each patient before any anesthetic procedure to identify any potential anesthetic complications.
 
Bloodwork: Pre-anesthetic bloodwork is recommended for patients under 7 years of age and required for patients 7 years of age or older to identify any potential anesthetic complications.
 
Radiographs: Radiographs, or x-rays, are taken only if indicated during a pre-anesthetic exam or if other pre-existing conditions determine a need.
 
Electrocardiogram (ECG): An ECG may be ordered if there is a pre-existing or newly discovered heart disease to assure proper electrical activity of the heart.
 
Pre-medications: Pre-anesthetic medications are given to prevent pain, prevent heart arrhythmias, and to cause sedation which will in turn allow use of less anesthetic drugs.
 

Anesthetic Monitoring
 
ECG: monitors the electrical activity of the heart and detects arrhythmias
 
Percent oxygen saturation (pO2): measures the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood
 
Respiratory rate: measures breaths taken per minute
 
Expiratory carbon dioxide: measures amount of carbon dioxide in exhaled breath to confirm adequate respiration
 
Pulse rate: measures peripheral blood flow
 
Heart rate: determines heartbeats per minute
 
Blood pressure: monitors blood pressure which helps determine amount of anesthesia needed and helps protect kidney function
 
Intravenous fluids: helps preserve kidney function and maintain adequate blood pressures
 
Intravenous catheter: allows intravenous access for drug and fluid administration and for any emergency procedures


Post-Anesthesia
 
Recovery: Patients are recovered under monitored conditions where they can be observed for any vomiting or other adverse responses. Intravenous catheters remain in place until the patient has completely recovered.
 
Antibiotics: Antibiotics are prescribed after most procedures to either treat or prevent bacterial infections.
 
Pain medications: Pain medications are given before and after all painful procedures to provide comfort for your pet. Please advise the doctor of any other medications your pet has recently taken. Many of the pain medications given can interact with other medications.