If you have ever worried about putting your older pet under anesthesia, you are not alone. Board-certified veterinary anesthesia specialists all agree, however, that age is not a reason to avoid anesthesia; especially if it is for a procedure or therapy that might improve your pet’s life. One of the most common procedures veterinarians recommend for older pets are dental cleanings. Dental health should not be neglected in older pets because dental disease often results in tooth and gum infections, pain, loss of teeth and even organ damage. Click here to read more about dental disease in dogs and cats.

Request the following to insure a safe anesthesia for your senior pet:
• A thorough physical examination and pre-anesthetic blood work can help your veterinarian detect problems with infection or malfunctioning organs. If problems are detected, your vet may postpone a procedure or request further testing.
• Your veterinarian should select anesthesia drugs based on your pet’s age, breed, health status and the procedure being performed. Quick-acting IV anesthetics (e.g. propofol) and certain anesthetic gases (e.g. isoflurane, sevoflurane) are often preferred in older pets.
• Intravenous catheters should be used in older pets during anesthesia to provide IV fluids to prevent dehydration and support blood pressure. Pain medications can also be provided through the catheter if necessary for your pets comfort.
• Your pet should have a soft tube placed in his or her windpipe during anesthesia to prevent any fluid or secretions from blocking their airway.
• Your veterinarian should use special equipment to monitor your pet’s blood pressure, temperature, pulse, breathing, oxygenation, heart rate and heart rhythm.
• Your pet should be monitored for several hours after anesthesia to insure adequate recovery.

Don’t hesitate to ask your veterinarian who will be monitoring your pet during anesthesia and how much experience they have. Finding a knowledgeable veterinarian and staff will help ease your anxiety and help you provide your pet with the best possible care.

Click on the title to read the entire article, “Getting To The “Root” of Bad Breath In Dogs And Cats“.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 12th, 2009 at 10:00 am and is filed under Dr Donna Spector, Pet Health. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.