Learning More About Dog Anesthesia at City By The Sea Veterinary Hospital
Is Anesthesia a Risk in Pets?
Anesthesia overall is a risk in all pets. We try to do everything we can to predict anything that could go wrong. There's about a less than 1% chance overall that a pet will face an adverse event. We try to mitigate those risks by running blood work, chest X-rays, conducting a complete, thorough physical exam, and getting a full history on what the pet is dealing with at home so that we know what we're going into.
What procedures require anesthesia?
Generally, any surgery or dental procedure requires anesthesia. Some pets may also need light or full sedation if they get too anxious at the vet for us to do a comprehensive physical exam, which we try to do at least once a year. If they're very sick and we need to evaluate them, but they won't let us, we'll often use medication to help with that as well. The need for anesthesia depends on the invasiveness of the procedure. Ultimately, if the pet lets us do what we need to do without sedation, that is ideal. However, certain positioning for X-rays or ultrasound imaging is better with sedation. Most surgeries require sedation or anesthesia. Most physical exams in less anxious pets shouldn't need any type of sedation. We can use local sedation or local anesthesia for numbing if we just want to quickly biopsy. Often, we can do that under twilight or light sedation, up to full sedation and general anesthesia.
What is the difference between full sedation and general anesthesia?
Full sedation involves medications that we can give injectably, where pets don't need to be intubated and put on gas anesthesia. General anesthesia would involve intubating the pet, as is the case with this pet here, because we're doing a pretty invasive and painful procedure. We keep them at a plane of anesthesia where we're monitoring their cardiovascular system, not too deep where their heart rate or blood pressure changes, but deep enough to keep them pain-free.
How serious is anesthesia for dogs at City by the Sea Vet?
We take anesthesia very seriously at City by the Sea Vet. We're doing everything we can to ensure we know what's going on for the pet while it's under anesthesia. It takes extensive training to know what to expect for a pet undergoing anesthesia. We want to know how the pet's body will handle the drugs we're giving, tailor those drugs to the pet, and monitor their recovery closely to address any changes within hours to days after anesthesia.
What are the risks of anesthesia in older dogs?
Older dogs are more prone to chronic diseases and changes to their cardiovascular system. We want to ensure their liver processes the drugs appropriately, their cardiovascular system makes the necessary adjustments when we administer these drugs, and they recover normally. There's a higher risk, still safe, but higher risk in older pets and pets with certain comorbidities. However, we are trained to handle these situations.
Are there certain breeds that are more at risk?
Certain breeds can make us a bit more nervous about undergoing anesthesia, but the same risks apply. The risk of the procedure must be less than the problem we're addressing with anesthesia. We need a good reason to put a pet under anesthesia to ensure that what we're doing is justified. Generally, short-nosed breeds make us more nervous, especially regarding their recovery and breathing. We monitor them closely because, if anything is going to have a side effect or adverse event, it's likely a brachycephalic breed. Certain drugs require caution with some breeds like sighthounds or greyhounds. Overall, our training prepares us to handle these situations. Dogs with liver, kidney, or heart problems require more careful monitoring, and we use medications that are safer for those conditions.
What are the most common complications of anesthesia?
The most common complication is excessive sedation. Generally, when pets recover, they can have gastrointestinal issues as they wake up, with diarrhea being common. Side effects usually last 24 to 48 hours, after which the anesthesia is out of their system. In older pets with a history of kidney or liver problems, we want to monitor them closely due to potential long-term effects of anesthesia on those systems.
How do you reduce the risks of anesthesia for dogs?
To reduce risks, we want to know everything about the pet inside and out before the procedure. We often run blood work, chest X-rays to ensure their heart and lungs are clear, and sometimes an abdominal ultrasound and echocardiogram to examine the heart and abdominal structures. It depends on the pet and any diseases they've experienced. We monitor them consistently.
What is the difference between general anesthesia and injectable sedation?
General anesthesia involves intubating the pet and using gas, while injectable sedation does not. We monitor both closely, checking several parameters, including heart rate, temperature, blood pressure, and carbon dioxide levels. We also take manual measurements to compare with machine readings and use pulse oximetry to assess oxygenation, monitoring every 3 to 5 minutes to detect changes.
What is the recovery process like for a dog after anesthesia?
The recovery process spans 24 to 48 hours, with the first hour post-operative being the most critical. We ensure temperature and heart rate return to normal and manage any severe pain. Pets can experience dysphoria, where they are disoriented. We ensure they are safe during recovery to prevent self-harm or harm to others. Within 24 to 48 hours, they should be able to leave the hospital safely, and we maintain close communication with the pet owner to monitor their progress at home.
What should owners expect after anesthesia?
If you have any concerns, we're in close contact with our clients. Generally, pets act unusually at home as they recover from anesthesia, mostly wanting to sleep. If you have any concerns or questions, contact us immediately. Typically, drugs leave their system within 24 to 48 hours, but this depends on the medications used and prescribed for home use. Some pain medications can last several days, so good communication with the client is crucial.
How much does anesthesia cost?
The cost varies based on the pet, medications used, and monitoring required. This is best discussed in the exam room after evaluating your pet to provide an accurate assessment.
Are there different types of sedation and anesthesia for dogs?
Yes, there are different types of sedation and gases for general anesthesia. We use isoflurane gas, which allows for quick recovery and has less severe side effects.
Can anesthesia affect a dog's long-term health?
Yes, anesthesia can affect long-term health, especially in older pets or those with comorbidities like kidney disease. We monitor these cases closely. We may find elevated values in blood work weeks after anesthesia, depending on the pet's condition. We encourage you to contact us with concerns or questions.
What should owners do if their pet does not eat after anesthesia?
It's not uncommon for pets to not eat initially when they return home, but this should resolve within 12 to 24 hours. Pets should eat and drink, though defecation may be delayed. Contact us if you have concerns.
What questions should owners ask their veterinarian about anesthesia for dogs?
Owners should ask about the pre-anesthetic protocol, diagnostics, and ensure trust and comfort with the veterinarian. Confirm the facility's cleanliness, monitoring during anesthesia, and proper equipment use. While not every procedure requires an anesthesiologist, someone must monitor and pay close attention during anesthesia.
If you have questions, we would love to answer them for you. Please give us a call at the office at (848) 217-5000, or you can email us at [email protected]. Our staff would love to talk with you!