Anesthesia for animals has evolved from the earlier years when liquids like chloroform were used for surgical procedures. Today the veterinary anesthetic process involves modern equipment, less invasive drugs and better developed monitoring tools. The modernization of veterinary anesthesia protocol ensures that pets will receive the best care before, during and after surgery.
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Examination
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Before anesthesia is administered, your pet's condition must be thoroughly evaluated to ensure that his vitals, such as heart and lungs, are stable. The veterinarian will assess any current or past medical issues to gain insight into her health. Physical examination can reveal any abnormalities that may need further assessment. If any problems are suspected, testing may be required. Chest X-rays, an electrocardiogram or heart ultrasound will help your veterinarian pinpoint any areas of concern. Also, since some anesthetic drugs can interrupt the flow of blood to major organs and impact the kidneys and liver, a blood sample may be taken to evaluate your pet's liver and kidney functions. This will help determine which anesthetic procedure is best for your pet.
Pre-Administration
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Your pet should not have any food 12 hours before surgery to prevent the chance of food particles obstructing the airways during anesthesia. On the day of surgery, your pet may be given a sedative to calm him down before anesthesia is administered. This is helpful for pets that exhibit signs of nervousness or distress. The use of sedatives and tranquilizers may reduce the amount of anesthetic needed and reduce the recovery time from the anesthesia. After sedation, an intravenous tube (IV) is placed into a front or hind leg or sometimes in the neck. The IV allows your vet to administer fluids and pain medication directly into your pet's bloodstream during and after surgery.
Administration
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An IV containing a brief-acting anesthesia medication is given to induce unconsciousness. After your pet is unconscious, a soft tube, called a endoctracheal tube or ET tube, is inserted into her windpipe. An anesthetic gas, such as isoflurane, is delivered through the tube for your pet to inhale. The ET tube helps the vet monitor your pet's breathing. Protective responses, such as choking and gagging are inactive during anesthesia so the ET tube prevents pets from choking on remnants that may travel from the stomach into the airways. After surgery, the amount of anesthesia gas is reduced and your pet will slowly regain consciousness. When her normal swallowing reflexes return, the ET tube is removed.
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