Is Pet Anesthesia Safe?

If you pet needs surgery for a health issue or dental issue and you are worried about the use of anesthesia during their procedure, we understand. It can be hard to know that your pet will be unconscious but knowing more about it can help ease your mind.

At Dessau Veterinary Clinic in Austin, TX, we can provide different kinds of pet surgery. Additionally, our pet hospital is here to help makes sure that pets remain safe while they’re asleep. Here’s what else you should know about pet anesthesia:

Why Is It Used?

Our veterinary hospital uses anesthesia for many reasons. General anesthesia sedates pets, so that they’re unconscious and we often use it for the following reasons:

•             Keeps pets still, so we can perform procedures properly

•             Helps ease pet anxiety

•             Protects our staff from being bitten or scratched

Without general anesthesia, pets might squirm around or even become aggressive, even if the surgical area is numb. They don’t know what’s going on, which can make them fearful.

When Is It Used?

We use anesthetics for most surgical procedures. Some of the surgeries that typically require general anesthesia include the following:

•             Teeth extractions

•             Tumor or mass removal

•             Injury repair

•             Spay and neuter

Keeping Your Pets Safe

Not all pets can safely be sedated. We base our this decision on your pet’s age, underlying medical conditions, and potentially other factors. General anesthesia might be too risky for senior pets or pets with heart conditions, for example. We will do or order the appropriate tests to make sure your pet doesn’t have any conditions that could get in the way before he is put under.

During surgery, we keep watch over your pet. After he wakes up, we will still monitor him for s short time afterwards before you can take him home.

What Happens after Anesthesia Use?

Your pet will need time to recover from the effects of anesthetics. You can expect the following:

•             Sleepiness or drowsiness for up to a day afterwards

•             Decreased appetite at first

•             Possible soreness in the affected area

•             Lower energy level

Get Pet Surgery from a Vet Near You at Our Veterinary Hospital

If you are looking for a vet near you, we’re happy to help. Call us at (512) 339-3177 to set up an appointment with our team at Dessau Veterinary Clinic in Austin, TX. Our veterinary hospital performs several kinds of surgical procedures on pets. Contact us for pet surgery from a vet near you at our pet hospital.