Hearing that your furry friend will require pet anesthesia is a stressful time. Many are surprised to learn how many procedures our veterinarian performs that require an anesthetic. Learning more about its use can address many concerns of owners whose pets receive treatment at our East Valley Emergency Pet Clinic in Diamond Bar.
Why Pet Anesthesia is Important
Pet anesthesia serves three basic purposes in veterinary medicine:
- It prevents pets from moving during some surgical, imaging, and endoscopic procedures and keeps them from experiencing pain.
- Sedation enables the staff to treat animals that are extremely frightened or difficult to handle.
- Anesthesia allows veterinarians to control a pet’s consciousness level during certain dental procedures.
Some surgeries always require an anesthetic. It is essential for a pet that has undergone trauma, must have growths removed, or is undergoing spaying or neutering.
What to Expect
A major concern of many owners is the safety of pet anesthesia. Our veterinarian notes that risks are typically minor since we take every step necessary to administer the medication safely.
If a pet has had any difficulty with prior anesthesia, it is important to let our staff know. Before starting any procedure, our doctor reviews the pet’s medical history and conducts a comprehensive physical exam. Evaluating lab results is also sometimes necessary.
The objective is determining the anesthesia risk for each pet. Our doctor decides how to administer each anesthetic after reviewing both the pet’s health and the procedure scheduled.
Before the procedure begins, a sedative calms the pet. Sometimes it permits the use of less general anesthetic afterward. The basic methods for administering general anesthesia are infusion through an IV, inhaling gas, or a combination of both.
Our staff administers fluids or medications via IV, typically in the neck or the leg, once the anesthesia has taken effect. During the procedure, we monitor your pet’s temperature, blood pressure, blood oxygen level, and heart rate.
Once the pet is awake, we place it in a quiet, warm place. We make it a priority to keep owners apprised of their condition until you can take them home.
Contact Us When Your Regular Veterinarian is Closed!
Our East Valley Emergency Pet Clinic in Diamond Bar is a full-service practice equipped with state-of-the-art technology to treat emergencies such as bites, heatstroke, dehydration, poison ingestion, pain, severe anxiety, bleeding, severe vomiting, diarrhea, and conditions that require surgery. Our experienced emergency staff is available when your veterinarian isn’t. If you wonder if your pet is experiencing an emergency or want more information about our services, be sure to call us at (909) 861-5737.