Anesthesia and Older Pets
As pet owners ourselves, we very much understand it can feel uncomfortable having your furry loved ones undergo any procedure that involves anesthesia, especially as they get older.
Many pet parents, especially those with an older cat or dog, can get anxious when the topic of anesthesia comes up in caring for their special friend. Believing their pet is simply “too old for anesthesia” is actually a very common misconception among not only pet parents, but also many veterinarians. Let’s consider the facts with regard to age and anesthesia risks. Age is not a disease and does not directly reflect health status. We all know of healthy older people (or pets) and young people with poor health.
As pets become older the likelihood of systemic illness increases, and it is for this reason dogs and cats past a certain age are approached more cautiously for anesthesia. This is also why additional testing is often ordered prior to scheduling any procedure requiring anesthesia. These tests usually include a complete blood panel, urinalysis, chest x-rays, and a BNP test which checks for some types of heart disease.
By following the most current anesthesia standards and advanced safety protocols, our experienced team safely anesthetizes senior and geriatric pets as well as those with significant systemic disease. Learn about the steps we take to provide the safest anesthesia possible below:
Safe Anesthesia Protocols for Senior Pets at Animal Dental Center include:
- Advanced Training & Equipment The veterinary dental staff at the Animal Dental Center are professionally trained to provide state-of-the-art anesthesia and to minimize pain for your pet.
- Individualized Anesthesia Protocols We utilize the latest drug advancedments in anesthesia to provide comprehensive pain management and safer anesthesia for your pet.
- Custom Dosage Calculation Your pet’s anesthesia will be selected and dosages calculated based on your individual pet’s health and medical needs.
- Pre-Surgical Bloodwork Your pet will receive a pre-anesthetic examination along with comprehensive blood work. Blood work shows us the function of your pet’s kidneys and other organs to be sure your pet is healthy for anesthesia.
- IV Catheterization for Fluid Delivery We place an intravenous catheter into your pet’s leg so that we have instant access to your pet’s cardiovascular system and your pet will receive fluids during the procedure to maintain hydration and minimize blood pressure fluctuations.
- Post-Procedure Oxygen Once the procedure is completed and the anesthetic gas is turned off, oxygen will be delivered to your pet until they are awake and the breathing tube is removed. This helps patients wake up quicker and less groggy after surgery.
- Advanced Monitoring Supported by our doctor team, our specially trained technicians closely monitor your pet during the procedure and the recovery process using advanced monitoring equipment including pulse oximetry (which measures a pet’s oxygen concentration in their blood stream), electrocardiogram (EKG, heart rate and rhythm), core body temperature, respiratory rate, blood pressure and carbon dioxide level.
- Thermal Regulation Your pet’s temperature is controlled using heated air and blankets to maintain a normal body temperature.
Thinking about Anesthesia Free Pet Dentistry?
Call (410) 828-1001 to make an appointment at any of our locations or click below to contact us.
