Long-Term Effects of Anesthesia on Dogs

Veterinarians routinely administer anesthesia to dogs before surgery. Some types of anesthesia are safer than others over the long term. Dogs may have liver disease, heart disease, or sleep apnea as a result of anesthesia, according to Dog Logic Health Pages. These side effects are rare but serious, requiring the dog to take medication or in some cases have more surgery.

  1. Liver Toxicity

    • Some anesthetics are toxic to dogs' livers, according to Dog Logic Health Pages. Halothane is one such anesthetic. This drug takes a long time to metabolize, causing toxins to build up in the dog's liver. Puppies and elderly dogs are most susceptible to this side effect.

    Tachycardia

    • Some dogs develop tachycardia due to anesthesia use. Tachycardia is a heart abnormality in which the dog's heart beats faster than normal. Tachycardia can lead to heart failure or other heart disease. Dogs who have tachycardia often require medication for the rest of their lives to keep their heart rate under control.

    Apnea

    • Dog Logic Health Pages says that dogs may develop apnea over time if thiopental or propofol, two common anesthetics, are administered. Apnea is a condition in which the dog stops breathing, usually when asleep. Apnea is not fatal if the dog wakes up during an incident. Vets treat apnea with anti-inflammatory medication. In some cases, dogs require surgery to correct apnea problems.