Our hospital offers a variety of anesthesia services for your pet. The term anesthesia indicates the use of medication to block sensation, typically resulting in unconsciousness. Anesthesia is induced using a variety of medications, both injectable and inhaled. It is used for procedures that require an unconscious animal, such as surgery, certain imaging studies (e.g., x-rays) or medical procedures (e.g., endoscopy, dental cleanings, surgery).
Pets undergoing anesthesia are typically pre-medicated with an injectable drug, that relaxes the patient to allow an IV catheter to be placed. This pre-medication helps the pet relax so that full anesthesia can be induced more smoothly and safely. Next, the pet receives intravenous medication to cause loss of consciousness. A tube (endotracheal tube) is then placed into the pet's upper airway, and gas anesthesia keeps the pet comfortably anesthetized during the course of the procedure.
While a patient is under anesthesia, he or she will be monitored in much the same way as a human undergoing anesthesia would be. This monitoring includes listening to your pet's heart and lungs, visually assessing your pet's reflexes, and using an ECG machine to monitor your pet's blood pressure, level of blood oxygen, and temperature. Trained technicians act alongside veterinarians to ensure that your pet's procedure goes smoothly from start to finish.
