Anesthesia can be scary, but there are things you can do to minimize the scary and make things as safe as possible for your pet. First, make sure your pet’s Veterinarian knows their complete medical history. Everything from their vaccine history to medications they may have taken can influence how your pet may respond to anesthesia. Second, and most important, have diagnostic testing performed for your pet prior to surgery. The more information we know about your pet the safer the anesthetic experience can be.
So what are we talking about:
- Chemistry Profile- tests to evaluate kidney, liver, and pancreatic function, as well as sugar levels to test for diabetes
- A complete blood count (CBC) to ensure there are no bleeding complications or any unidentified infections.
- Electrolytes test to ensure your dog isn’t dehydrated or suffering from an electrolyte imbalance
Additional tests such as urinalysis, thyroid check, heartworm testing and/or Feline Leukemia/ FIV testing may be requested by the veterinarian on an individual basis.
To ensure your pet the safest anesthetic experience, make sure the following precautions are taken by your pet’s Veterinarian:
- The placement of an intravenous (IV) catheter. The catheter is placed to provide anesthetics and IV fluids to keep your pet hydrated. Additionally, it would serve as a way to directly administer life-saving medications, should a crisis arise.
- Intravenous fluids to help maintain hydration and blood pressure. IV fluids also help your pet with her recovery process by aiding the liver and kidneys in clearing the body of anesthetic agents more quickly.
What to Expect on the Day of the Anesthetic/Surgical Event
Be sure to have your veterinarian, or the veterinary staff, answer any questions you may have prior to your pet’s surgery. Give yourself plenty of time in the morning to sign paperwork and discuss the procedure that morning.
How Your Dog is Monitored During Anesthesia
Several safeguards are put into place to help reduce your pet’s risk during anesthesia.
- The surgical assistant/veterinary technician: A technician should be present during the entire anesthetic event to monitor your pet’s vital signs (temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure and others) and to help adjust anesthetic levels, under the direction of the veterinarian.
- A heart rate monitor counts your pet’s heartbeats per minute. By monitoring your pet’s heart rate, your veterinarian can make anesthetic adjustments quickly.
- An electrocardiogram (ECG) monitors your pet’s heart rate and heartbeat pattern. It can detect abnormal heartbeat called an arrhythmia. If an arrhythmia is detected, your veterinarian can make suitable changes in anesthesia.
- Core body temperature is also monitored. Changes in body temperature can cause dangerous complications.
- A blood pressure monitor measures your dog’s blood pressure which provides important information on your pet’s cardiovascular condition.
- Pulse oximetry monitors the amount of oxygen in your pet’s blood and her pulse rate.
Recovery or Post Surgical Care
Safeguards should also in place to help your pet even after the surgery is over.
- Recovering pet should be placed in a heated kennel to help maintain a normal body temperature.
- A veterinary technician continues to monitor your pet’s vital signs until your pet is awake and sitting up.
- Pain medication is administered to ensure a smooth recovery and to keep you pet pain free.