If your dog needs a procedure that requires general anesthesia, you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed and anxious. While this is a natural reaction, pet surgical procedures are routine, and anesthesia is administered with every precaution taken to ensure a smooth experience and recovery for your dog. In this article, we will discuss the different types of anesthesia, dog breeds that may be more sensitive to anesthesia, what you need to know before your dog undergoes surgery, possible but rare complications of anesthesia, monitoring by the veterinarian to ensure your dog’s safety, and what you need to watch for at home post-surgery.
Is anesthesia safe for dogs?
In general, when anesthesia is practiced properly with proper precautions, it can be safe in dogs. Of course, as most people know, there are some potential risks involved, and we will get into those a little bit later.
What types of procedures would anesthesia for dogs be used for?
The most common procedures anesthesia is used for are surgeries. That can range from routine things like spays and neuters to less routine things such as mass removals, foreign body removals, or other types of surgeries. Anesthesia may also be used for dogs that are particularly difficult for things such as grooming or other less invasive procedures if needed.
Are there procedures where dog anesthesia may not be needed?
There are definitely procedures where dog anesthesia is not needed. In some cases, we don't need any anesthesia, or we may be able to do sedation, which we will explain a little bit later on, rather than putting them fully under anesthesia.
What Are the Types of Anesthesia Used for Dogs?
Anesthesia is a medication or combination of medications that ease a pet into unconsciousness for surgery, so they don’t feel pain during the process. There are two types of anesthesia used on dogs: general anesthesia and local anesthesia.
The main types of anesthesia that you will come across are going to be injectable, which we sometimes use to start off the procedure, and there's also inhalant anesthesia. We usually use a mix for surgeries. There's also local anesthesia, which is just a local infusion of medication for local pain control.
- General Anesthesia: A combination of drugs that cause your pet to become unconscious and unresponsive for the duration of a medical procedure. This type of anesthesia keeps your pet still while they undergo a longer, more complicated procedure.
- Local Anesthesia: Local anesthetic drugs are injected directly into the area being treated. It numbs only that specific body part, and your pet remains awake and alert during the treatment.
Are there certain dogs that should not undergo anesthesia?
There are absolutely certain dogs that should not undergo anesthesia, and that is something that we can discuss at the time of exams or prior to the day of anesthesia and surgery. Certain reasons for that might include older dogs with underlying health conditions, younger dogs with underlying health conditions, and some dog breeds that have special needs with their anesthesia, which we can discuss regarding their particular risks.
What are some possible complications of anesthesia that my dog could experience?
There's a wide range of potential complications, all of which we try to manage as best we can. These can include adverse reactions to a drug, which could look like many different things. We could see decreases in heart rate or blood perfusion to the tissues of the body, decreased blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias, poor respirations, and other issues. All of these things we try and manage. Another thing would be vomiting under anesthesia, which we will talk about next—how to manage that.
What can be done to reduce the risks associated with anesthesia in dogs?
To reduce those risks that we just touched on, number one is fasting. We usually want every dog fasted the night before surgery. That way, there's no food in their stomach to limit their risk of throwing up. There's also a medication that we can give to try and limit the nausea. Other things we do include an exam beforehand, blood work, and placing an intravenous catheter so that we can get fluids during surgery and potentially give any IV medications if needed. We also use a range of monitoring equipment to monitor their vitals and try and stay ahead of any potential complications.
Are there any differences in dog sedation versus anesthesia?
The big differences are basically in their state of consciousness and the pain control that we're providing. In sedation, it may be different drugs or the same drugs at reduced doses. They usually are not fully unconscious, but we are still relaxing them and controlling some pain. Whereas in anesthesia, they are fully unconscious, unaware of the pain, and it's a different kind of range of medications or different doses to get them to that point.
How do you monitor an anesthetized dog?
To monitor them, there is a range of equipment we use. That includes an electrocardiogram or EKG, we monitor blood pressure, body temperature, their gum color, and their respirations. We always have a set of eyes on them while they're under to make sure that those things are all looking good.
What does the process for dog anesthesia recovery look like?
Recovery generally in the hospital occurs over usually about an hour to a few hours, where they're kind of slowly coming out of their anesthetic state. They're usually a little bit groggy. We monitor them for any adverse reactions or vomiting. If they need a little bit of reversal to get them out of anesthesia quicker, we will do that. Then, once they are at a point where they are comfortable enough to go home, they can go home with the owners.
If my dog is acting weird after anesthesia, what should I do?
If your dog is acting weird in any way, of course, we want to know about it. We try and cover those things before you leave. Some potential things that you might run into would be decreased eating, decreased drinking, especially for those first 12 to 24 hours afterwards. That is somewhat expected, but if it's significant or goes beyond that, we definitely want to know about it.
How long does it take for anesthesia to wear off in dogs?
Generally, it's that 12 to 24-hour time point. They usually come around within the first couple of hours afterward, but they can be a little groggy for those first 12 to 24 hours.
Can anesthesia affect my dog's long-term health?
If done properly with the proper precautions, like we said, it shouldn't affect their long-term health. Now, of course, if there is some unforeseen complication, it could have long-lasting effects, but in general, we're able to mitigate that risk by following the proper protocols.
What Breeds Are More Sensitive to Anesthesia?
Certain dog breeds may react differently to anesthesia due to their genetic and anatomical differences. It’s essential to note that while these breeds have an increased risk, anesthesia can still be safely and successfully administered with the necessary precautions. Breeds that are more sensitive to anesthesia include brachycephalic breeds (Pugs, Boston Terriers, Pekingese, Boxers, Bulldogs, and Shih Tzus), sighthounds (Greyhounds, Salukis, Italian Greyhounds, and Whippets), herding breeds (Shetland Sheepdogs and Australian Shepherds), giant breeds (Great Danes and St. Bernards) and toy breeds (Chihuahuas and Yorkies). Doberman Pinschers and Boxers may also have specific sensitivities to anesthesia
Anesthesia is a crucial part of many pet medical procedures, with modern monitoring devices ensuring your dog’s safety. The team of veterinary professionals at Vintage Heights Veterinary Hospital will do everything possible to minimize risks your dog may face while under anesthesia by performing comprehensive pre-anesthesia testing and providing close monitoring during and after the procedure.
If you live in or near Lincoln, NE, contact us today at (402) 489-0501 to set an appointment or if you have any questions about dog anesthesia.