What is anesthesia?
Anesthesia is the induction for the lack of feeling for a particular procedure.
Dr. Amanda German
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
Why would my cat need anesthesia?
If we're doing anything such as surgery or if we need them to stay nice and still for an x-ray, blood work, or something like an ultrasound.
How do I know anesthesia is safe for my cat?
Normally, we like to do a physical exam and blood work to make sure everything's going to be okay.
What is the difference between anesthesia and sedation?
Anesthesia is when we're putting them fully under anesthesia with an inhalant, whereas in sedation we're just doing some drugs to keep them nice and relaxed and still.
What do I need to know before my cat goes for an anesthetic procedure?
You need to make sure that they don't have any food ahead of time. We don't want them to be nauseous during the procedure and then you need to make sure that you know the risks associated with anesthesia.
What are some possible complications of anesthesia my cat could experience?
So they could experience aspiration pneumonia where they vomit and then breathe some of it in. You could have a collapsed lung lobe. You could have some other issues internally or even potentially death.
What will the veterinarian do to ensure my cat is safe while undergoing anesthesia?
We look at all of their parameters. So we're checking their heart rate. We're checking their respiratory rate. We're making sure their oxygen level is okay. We're watching their carbon dioxide level. We're watching their temperature and their blood pressure.
What type of care should I provide as my cat is coming out of anesthesia?
You're just going to provide a nice quiet area so that they can relax and wake up and naturally get back to their normal selves.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (407) 896-0941, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram
Cat Anesthesia - FAQs 1
Dr. Amanda German
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
What kind of anesthesia is used for my cat?
The type of anesthesia we use depends on the procedure your cat is undergoing.
What are common anesthetic procedures for cats?
Common anesthetic procedures for cats include spays, dentals, neuters, and mass removals.
What is the difference between anesthesia, sedation, and general anesthesia?
Anesthesia is a light inhalant that relaxes your cat but they remain aware of their surroundings. Sedation refers to the administration of a drug that makes them relaxed and somewhat unconscious. General anesthesia is a combination of both, rendering your cat completely unconscious.
Will my cat need an exam and blood work before anesthesia?
Yes, your cat will definitely need an exam and blood work before undergoing anesthesia.
How can I prepare my cat for his or her anesthetic procedure?
You should have your cat fasted the night before their procedure to prevent nausea. It's also important to monitor them afterwards.
How do you ensure the safety of my cat under anesthesia?
We monitor all your pet's parameters during the procedure, including their heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen level, carbon dioxide level, temperature, and blood pressure.
What pain medications will my cat receive before, during, and after the anesthetic procedure?
The need for pain medication depends on what procedure we're performing on your cat.
How long does anesthesia last for a cat?
The duration of anesthesia varies depending on the substances used. Sometimes it wears off as soon as your cat wakes up, and sometimes it can take a few hours before it's fully out of their system.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (407) 896-0941, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram
Cat Anesthesia - FAQs 2
Dr. Amanda German
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
What are some of the risks of anesthesia?
Some of the risks associated with anesthesia include a collapsed lung, aspiration pneumonia, and potentially even death.
How will I know it is safe for my cat?
We conduct a physical exam and some blood work ahead of time to ensure that your cat can handle anesthesia safely.
What conditions can increase my cat's risk of a reaction under anesthesia?
Cats that have had a reaction to certain drugs before or belong to a brachiocephalic breed, characterized by a smushed nose, are more likely to have a reaction under anesthesia.
Are there specific breeds that are higher risk when under anesthesia?
Yes, brachiocephalic breeds, such as British Shorthairs and Scottish Folds, that are characterized by a smushed face, are more likely to be at risk under anesthesia.
What can be done to minimize the risk of anesthesia?
We always conduct blood work ahead of time to ensure the safety of your pet and minimize any potential risk associated with anesthesia.
What are some side effects of anesthesia?
Anesthesia can make your cat sedate, a bit more loopy afterwards, and sometimes cause nausea. However, most of the time, they handle it just fine.
When is anesthesia necessary?
Anesthesia is necessary when we're conducting any type of surgical procedure and sometimes when we need to draw blood or take certain x-rays, especially if the cat is being fractious.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (407) 896-0941, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram
Cat Anesthesia - FAQs 3
Dr. Amanda German
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
How long does it take for anesthesia to wear off in a cat?
It can take anywhere from just a few minutes after they wake up from anesthesia to a few hours later for anesthesia to completely wear off a pet.
How soon after anesthesia will my cat be back to normal?
They're normally back to normal as soon as they get home, but it can take anywhere from up to about 24 hours.
How long will it take my cat to recover from anesthesia?
Usually they're recovered by the time they get home.
What can I expect after I bring my cat home from an anesthetic procedure?
They should be back to normal, but sometimes it can take up to 24 hours.
How can I help my cat recover from anesthesia?
Just keep them in a nice quiet place so they can fully wake up.
How can I keep my cat safe while he or she is recovering from anesthesia?
Keep them in a nice small space so that way they can't bump into any objects.
What are signs of complications from anesthesia I should watch out for?
You're going to want to make sure that they're not coughing or having difficulty breathing or vomiting.
When and what should I feed my cat after anesthesia?
You don't want to feed them until that evening, and you only want to give them about a quarter to a half of their normal meal, and then they can go back to their normal diet the next morning.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (407) 896-0941, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram