Just thirty years ago, pets needing surgery faced just as many risks from the anesthesia as from the surgery itself. Today, this risk is greatly reduced. This makes procedures such as teeth cleaning or getting ocular ultrasounds easier on the pet and pet owners. Our veterinarians at Oak Grove Veterinary Hospital in San Jose would like to take a closer look at the safety of pet anesthesia.
Better Exams to Screen for Health Problems
A veterinarian uses tests to determine if your pet is a good candidate for any procedure involving anesthesia. Your pet may need chest x-rays. Blood and urine tests help screen out certain kinds of health issues and check on the health of your pet’s liver and kidneys. Your pet may need to fast overnight before getting a blood test.
Very Low Risk
According to a 2017 study of 5.75 million cats and dogs published in the prestigious Journal of the American Veterinary Association, the risk of a dog dying due to anesthesia was 1 in 2,000. The risk of a cat dying was 1 in 900. Although no procedure that requires anesthesia is 100 percent safe, the risk of a pet dying from anesthesia is quite low.
Understanding Safety Procedures
Over the decades, veterinarians have learned that pets need less anesthesia to stay unconscious long enough for a procedure to be performed. Pets’ fur is shaved before any incision is made to reduce the chances of getting an infection. Pets receive an IV catheter so, if any bad reactions occur, medication can be introduced quickly into your pet’s body to reverse the effects of the anesthesia.
Understanding Aftercare
Our veterinarians know that pets have problems maintaining a stable body temperature after receiving anesthesia. Pets are kept warm after any procedure. Pet owners are urged to keep their pets in warm places for the next several days as the anesthesia leaves their bodies. Overweight pets take longer to recover than pets of normal weight.
Get Quality Veterinary Care in San Jose, CA
Our veterinarians at Oak Grove Veterinary Hospital are here to help if you have questions about the safety of pet anesthesia. We provide a wide array of veterinary services which often involve anesthesia. Call our team today at 408-227-1661 or reach us through our website by using our online contact form.