How Safe Is Pet Anesthesia?

You care about your pet. With as much loyalty and love as your pet gives you, you want to make sure that your pet is safe and healthy. If your furry companion needs a procedure that requires pet anesthesia, you're probably at least a little nervous. Here at Sheehy Animal Hospital in Livonia, MI, we get a lot of questions about it. Here's what you should know.

With a Good Veterinarian, Pet Anesthesia Is Safe

First of all, let's start with the good news. Under good, experienced vet care, pet anesthesia is generally safe. When you look for a Livonia animal hospital, ask your pet's potential vet about his anesthesia experience. Chances are high that your pet is in good care. Pets need anesthesia more often than humans need it, mainly because humans can tolerate certain procedures without general anesthesia while pets do not.

As a result, pet anesthesia has evolved and improved over time. Studies have shown good results, with the vast majority of pets coming through anesthesia just fine.

Pets with the Most Risk

While most pets do well under pet anesthesia, it's still important to understand the risks. The few pets who become ill or die under anesthesia tend to be older pets and pets that were ill before anesthesia. Pets with shorter snouts have a higher risk of experiencing a negative reaction to anesthesia than pets with longer snouts because anesthesia can slow breathing, and these are the pets with the most breathing problems.

Generally, the smaller the pet, the higher their risk of having an adverse reaction to the anesthesia. The exception is horses, who sometimes try to run away after waking up.

Questions to Ask Your Vet

When you choose an animal hospital for your pet, ask your pet's veterinarian about the anesthesia process used at that hospital. Be sure to ask how pets are kept warm during the process, what considerations are taken for small pets, and how you can best care for your pet after you bring him home.

Livonia Animal Hospital

At Sheehy Animal Hospital in Livonia, we understand that you have concerns about pet anesthesia. You want to make sure that your pets get the best possible medical care, so it's normal to have a lot of questions. Our team would be happy to discuss your concerns with you. Get in touch with us today to discuss your companion's medical needs.