5 Things Your Pet Needs When Going under Anesthesia

1. Pre-Anesthetic Blood Work – This blood test evaluates your pet’s internal organ function, including the liver and kidneys, and provides your veterinarian with crucial information about how well these organs are functioning. Based on the results, your veterinarian can tailor the anesthesia protocol to ensure it’s safe for your pet. For example, if liver values are slightly elevated, indicating sub-optimal liver function, your veterinarian may choose an anesthetic drug that’s less taxing on the liver. In some cases, if the risk is too high, elective procedures may be postponed. While your veterinarian may offer you the option to decline this test, it’s important to understand the associated risks. You can also opt for more comprehensive blood work, including a full blood cell count and additional internal organ values which is recommended annually once your pet reaches two or three years of age.
2. Intravenous Catheter and Intraoperative Fluid Therapy – An intravenous (IV) catheter is essential for administering medications and maintaining IV fluid therapy during surgery. Should any unexpected anesthetic events occur, having an IV catheter in place allows for immediate administration of emergency drugs, such as those needed to address arrhythmias or life-threatening situations. IV fluids also help to maintain your pet’s fluid volume and blood pressure throughout their procedure.
3. Monitoring – During surgery your pet’s heart rate, oxygen saturation, blood pressure, and temperature should be closely monitored by a trained assistant. Advanced monitoring devices such as a pulse oximeter, capnograph, esophageal heart monitor, and/or doppler or automated blood pressure monitor can further enhance safety while your pet is under anesthesia.
4. Management and Exam – Your veterinarian should conduct a thorough examination before and after the procedure to ensure your pet is fully recovered. Additional medications may be required at various stages of the process including pre-operative antibiotics, pain medications, nerve blocks, or epidural injections. Many veterinarians do not allow owners to opt out of necessary pain medications, and there may be an additional charge for these treatments if required.
5. Education – A strong veterinarian-client-patient relationship is key to understanding what to expect before, during, and after anesthesia and surgery. Discharge instructions are usually provided by a veterinary technician or assistant and are often detailed and helpful, but it’s always a good idea to ask questions ahead of time to prepare for any potential issues at home. For example, nausea is common side effect after anesthesia so when you get home, offer your pet a small amount of water. If they keep it down, you can then offer a small amount of food. If they can’t keep it down, wait two more hours before offering anything else. If vomiting persists, or if your pet hasn’t eaten or seems to be struggling to recover within 24 hours, contact your veterinarian immediately.

OVERVIEW – Anesthesia has risks, but these risks can be minimized with additional steps that are not considered an option in human medicine. Ask your veterinarian for more information.