What should I know about my dog's anesthesia at DePorre Veterinary Hospital?
We understand that this can be a stressful experience for both you and your pet, but rest assured, we take every precaution to ensure their safety and comfort throughout the process. At DePorre Veterinary Hospital, we tailor each anesthesia plan to the individual needs of your dog, considering factors like their size, medical history, and the specifics of the procedure.
How does DePorre Veterinary Hospital minimize the risks associated with anesthesia?
To minimize any risks, we customize an anesthetic protocol specifically for your dog. This protocol is based on several factors, including your dog's size, any underlying medical conditions, and the type of procedure. During the procedure, we meticulously monitor all vital signs, including heart rate, heart rhythm, temperature, blood pressure, oxygen levels, carbon dioxide levels, and more. If adjustments are necessary during the procedure, we’re fully equipped to make them on the spot. Anesthesia patients are maintained on IV fluids and we also have emergency medications readily available, although complications are rare.
What happens before my dog undergoes anesthesia?
When your dog arrives at DePorre Veterinary Hospital in the morning, we typically ask that they’ve been fasted, but this can vary depending on their size and any underlying conditions. Our technicians will review the procedure and anesthesia details with you beforehand, confirming you understand everything, including any medication instructions for your dog. If you have any follow-up questions, don’t hesitate to ask!
Why do older dogs undergo surgery first before younger pets?
She was just dropped off. We just chatted with mom. We're going to do her first. Older patients are prioritized first for a couple of reasons. We can monitor them for longer after the procedure is complete, and it's better to get them home sooner rather than later, so they can be with their pet parent and recover at home where they're most comfortable.
What is the first step in preparing a dog for anesthesia?
Right now, we're going to do the first step in getting her ready for anesthesia, which is giving her premedication. Bry is going to help us with that. It's just an injection into their muscle, given in the backside. She's doing so well. Sometimes we'll give some oral medications at home, like a sedative, to help.
How do you monitor a dog after premedication before anesthesia?
You'll notice that the area where we keep them is open to the treatment area, so we always have an eye on them before surgery, after surgery, and while they're waiting for their premedication to kick in. Now she's just going to relax, and we'll monitor her. Once she's more sleepy, we'll start placing her IV catheter and get her under anesthesia.
How is the IV catheter placed in a dog before anesthesia?
There are a few places we can place an IV catheter. In our video with Lily, we placed it in her front leg. Wherever it's placed, we will wrap the area to ensure it is secure and safe for the patient.
What happens to my dog after placing the IV catheter?
The next step is to place the endotracheal tube. She just got her premedication, which consists of IV medications. These can vary for our geriatric patients. The protocol is very patient-specific, depending on their medical history and any co-morbidities they have. If her blood work came back abnormal, like if her liver or kidney function was compromised, we might choose a different treatment protocol and injectable premedications. It is very specific to the patient. If she has cardiac issues, we might alter the meds. It's something we take very seriously and we're very thorough in understanding the patient so we can create a complete anesthetic protocol that's appropriate.
What monitoring is done for dogs during anesthesia?
We'll place the endotracheal tube, and she will go under anesthesia. We use isofluorane gas and then we'll place all of her monitoring equipment on. We do that for every patient, but it's even more important for a geriatric patient. We can monitor heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and all of those things. If they're altered in any way, we can see it right away and adjust the treatment accordingly.
How is my dog cared for during anesthesia recovery?
We have your pet set up as comfortably as possible in a cage that's open to the treatment area so we can monitor their recovery. We ensure their comfort and warmth, making sure their temperature is adequate. We monitor all patients closely as they recover. We do this with all patients, but it's particularly important with geriatric patients to keep them comfortable and closely monitored. We'll check on her in a couple of hours to continue monitoring and ensure they are recovering well, balancing monitoring with getting them home as soon as possible so they will recover best at home with their family.
Overall, geriatric anesthesia can be very safe when done correctly with the right prep work, monitoring, and adjustments for the specific patient. It can be quite safe and rewarding as the patient receives the care they need. Lily (in our video) will be a lot more comfortable and pain-free with the dental work she just had. We shouldn't think of anesthesia as something to avoid with older patients, as it truly is something we can manage.
Can I ask questions or express concerns about my dog’s anesthesia?
Absolutely! We’re always here to answer any questions and alleviate any concerns you may have. Your dog’s safety and well-being are our top priorities, and we want to ensure you feel confident and informed every step of the way. Please don’t hesitate to contact us at DePorre Veterinary Hospital with any questions.
If you’re looking for veterinary care you can trust, call us at (248) 609-1625 or email [email protected]. We’re here to keep your pet healthy, happy, and thriving!