When would my dog need anesthesia?
Your dog would need anesthesia if they are undergoing any surgical procedures or in some cases, diagnostic procedures.
Dr. Amanda German
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
What are the different types of anesthesia?
There are various types of anesthesia: some procedures require pre-medications to help the dog relax, other times full inhalant anesthesia is needed, and in certain cases light sedation is sufficient.
Are there particular dog breeds more sensitive to anesthesia?
Yes, certain dog breeds, especially the Brachiocephalics like English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Boxers, or any breed with a shortened snout, can have more difficulty with anesthesia.
What do I need to know before my dog goes under for an anesthetic procedure?
It's important to understand that there are risks associated with any anesthetic procedure. The specific risks will be discussed with you before the procedure.
What are some possible complications of anesthesia that my dog could experience?
Possible complications include difficulty breathing and rousing post-surgery, sleepiness for a few days, and occasional whining when coming out of anesthesia. However, these are normal reactions.
What monitoring will be done by the veterinarian to ensure my dog's safety while under anesthesia?
During the procedure, the veterinarian will monitor the dog's respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and even carbon dioxide levels.
What do I need to watch for at home after my dog has undergone anesthesia?
Post-anesthesia, dogs may experience some nausea, so monitor for any vomiting. Most importantly, watch their respiratory rate to ensure they are breathing appropriately.
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
Dog Anesthesia - FAQs 1
Dr. Amanda German
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
What kind of anesthesia is used for my dog?
It depends on what procedure your pet is going through. Sometimes we're going to use a little pre-med, sometimes we'll use a little sedation and sometimes we're going to use full inhalant anesthesia.
How is my dog given anesthesia?
This also depends on the procedure your pet is having. We can administer it directly into the vein via IV, in the muscle, or sometimes we're just giving it through their breathing.
What is the difference between anesthesia, sedation and general anesthesia and when is each used?
Sedation is when we're just giving them a little bit of something in the muscle just to get them nice and relaxed. So things like x-rays or an ultrasound, we're going to use just sedation. When we're using general anesthesia, that's for a major surgery. So if we're doing a spay, a neuter, a dental, those are going under general anesthesia. If we're just using an inhalant anesthesia, sometimes that's just to calm them down enough so we can get a blood draw.
Will my dog need an exam and lab work before anesthesia?
Yes. I usually highly recommend it, that way we're going to make sure they're going to handle the anesthesia okay.
What pain medications will my dog receive before, during and after the procedure?
It all depends on what we're doing. Sometimes we'll use them beforehand and sometimes they're not going to need any at all.
And how long do anesthetic procedures last?
This also depends on what we're doing. So a simple blood draw is only going to last a couple of minutes, whereas a spay can last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour or a dental, especially if there's a lot of extractions, could last anywhere from two to four hours.
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
Dog Anesthesia - FAQs 2
Dr. Amanda German
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
How long does it take for anesthesia to wear off in a dog?
The effects of anesthesia can wear off as soon as your dog is awake, though sometimes it may take up to about 24 hours.
How soon after anesthesia will my dog be back to normal?
Typically, dogs return to normal as soon as they wake up, but it can take up to 24 hours in some cases.
How long will it take my dog to recover from anesthesia?
Most dogs are fully recovered when we send them home, but recovery can sometimes take a little longer.
What can I expect after I bring my dog home from an anesthetic procedure?
Your dog may be a bit sleepy and sedate, might experience some nausea, and possibly do a little whining due to the sedation.
How can I help my dog recover from anesthesia at home?
Monitor your dog to ensure they are breathing okay and feeling well.
What are signs of complications from anesthesia that I should watch for as my dog recovers?
Watch out for vomiting and any abnormal breathing patterns. If their respiratory rate increases and continues to be high, you should let us know.
When and what should I feed my dog after anesthesia?
Feed your dog their regular food, but only give about a quarter to a half of their normal meal that night. They can return to their regular meal size 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
Dog Anesthesia - FAQs 3
Dr. Amanda German
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
What are some of the risks and side effects of dog anesthesia?
Some of the risks of anesthesia would be aspiration pneumonia, difficulty breathing, lung collapse, and potentially even death.
How will I know my dog will be safe when under anesthesia?
We're constantly monitoring all their parameters, so their heart rate, their respiratory rate, their temperature, just to ensure that everything's functioning appropriately. We also like to do blood work and sometimes even an ECG ahead of time to make sure they're going to handle the anesthesia okay.
Are there certain conditions that can increase my dog's risk of reaction while under anesthesia?
Yes, if they've ever had a reaction before to the anesthesia, if they have heart issues, seizures, or anything like that, that could definitely cause some issues while they're under anesthesia.
What can be done to minimize the risks of anesthesia?
We always like to do that blood work ahead of time so we can know any potential risks that we do have.
When is anesthesia not necessary?
Usually when we're doing just a simple exam or most of the time for blood draws and things like that, but anesthesia for anything surgical is always required.
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