When Anesthetic is Needed, Follow Your Vet’s Advice

While it is true that no anesthetic procedure is without risk, there are still many misconceptions about anesthesia in pets. In today’s age of extremely skilled veterinarians, well-trained animal health technicians, and highly technical monitoring equipment, the use of anesthetics on our pets has become a routine and very safe procedure. There are a variety of types of anesthetic used, depending on the procedure being performed, but in all cases, it is of the utmost importance to follow your veterinarian’s instructions before surgery.

Always make sure that your pet has not been fed overnight, but do allow them to have water. A proper pre-anesthetic examination, blood and urine tests will help the veterinarian to fully understand the health of the pet, and reduce the risk of anything going wrong during the operation. During the procedure, the placement of an intravenous catheter, and a steady supply of fluids, adds to the safety of the surgery. The most important thing the vet and animal hospital staff must do during and after the operation is ensure the proper and careful monitoring of all vital signs.

When it is time to take your pet home, be sure you are aware of what to expect from your pet as he or she recovers at home. If you have any questions or concerns, your vet will be happy to answer them. Keep your pet warm during recovery, since low body temperature can happen quickly in small pets and is the main cause of slow recovery from anesthesia. They may not be as active for a couple of days, and you may have to keep them quiet for longer, in cases of stitches, casts or for other reasons. Again, it is important to know that there are always risks involved with the use of anesthetics, but the benefits can far exceed the risk if the procedure is performed with all proper precautions.