Dogs And Anesthesia

Many pet dogs will undergo anesthesia at some time during their lives. Whether it's for a spay/neuter procedure, to have their teeth cleaned or for some other operation, anesthesia is commonly used in veterinary hospitals. However, there are some things that you should know about dogs and anesthesia.

Veterinary care for your dog is very important and there are times that it's necessary to use anesthesia. However, you should be aware that the use of anesthesia is not without risks. These risks can vary depending on your dog's age and condition. You should always thoroughly discuss the possible risks of anesthesia with your veterinarian before agreeing to any surgery or procedure.

Some of the things you need to talk to your vet about concerning the use of anesthetic include:

• Will he/she be doing pre-anesthesia bloodwork on your dog before the procedure? 

• Will your dog be getting fluids during anesthesia? 

• How will your dog be monitored during the procedure?

Different vets offer different levels of services for surgeries, even when your dog is given anesthesia. This means that there can be a large difference in price between two vets offering the same surgery. When this occurs it's often because one vet is including more anesthesia monitoring during surgery, as well as pain meds after surgery, and other pre- and post-operative care. You should be sure to talk to the vets and find out what is included in the procedure before agreeing to anything. Many times it's worth the extra cost to make sure that your dog receives pre-op bloodwork before being given anesthetic. You want to make sure that your vet is fully aware of all of your dog's health matters before using anesthetic on him. Even small health matters can make a difference when anesthesia is being used.

If there is anything wrong with your dog's health then it is much safer to postpone a procedure and do it when your dog is healthier.

Depending on your dog's bloodwork and other factors, different kinds of anesthetic can be used for a dog. Some dogs require a much lighter anesthetic than others. If you know that your dog has had strong reactions to anesthesia in the past you should be sure to tell your veterinarian.

Following any procedure you should watch your dog carefully for any signs that he is not reacting well to the anesthesia. These signs can include vomiting, loss of appetite, and trouble walking. If you notice any of these signs you should contact your veterinarian right away.

Obviously, veterinarians try to reduce the risks associated with anesthesia as much as possible. Although we usually take anesthesia for granted these days it's still very important for you to make wise decisions for your dog before agreeing to any procedure that requires the use of anesthetic. By asking the right questions and considering your dog's health, you can do everything possible to assure a positive outcome for your dog.

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