Anesthesia
East Side Animal Hospital offers an array of anesthesia protocols for our patients. Anesthesia is administered for medical or surgical purposes and is based on each specific patient. All patients here at East Side Animal Hospital will undergo a pre-anesthetic assessment by Dr. Marsch so the proper protocol is prepared for each case. Depending on the procedure and patient history, base line screening of blood values, thyroid, urine and/or radiographs may be performed prior to anesthesia to reduce risks.
Anesthetized patient’s cared for by East Side Animal Hospital have their heart rate and rhythm, anesthetic plane, oxygen saturation, respiration rate and body temperature closely monitored by our well qualified staff. Any changes are addressed by our doctors and adjusted as directed by the technician on the case.
The term anesthesia indicates the use of medication to block sensation, typically resulting in unconsciousness. Anesthesia is induced using a variety of medications, both injectable and inhaled. It is used for procedures that require an unconscious animal, such as surgery, certain x-rays or medical procedures (e.g., teeth cleaning).
Pets undergoing anesthesia are typically pre-medicated with an injectable drug. This pre-medication helps the pet relax so that full anesthesia can be induced more smoothly and safely. Next, the pet receives intravenous medication to cause loss of consciousness. A tube is then placed into the pet’s upper airway, and gas anesthesia keeps the pet comfortably anesthetized during the course of the procedure.
Anesthesia can be a source of anxiety and stress for many pet owners. Maybe you worry about whether your pet will be well cared for, or perhaps you have concerns about adequate precautions and monitoring. We welcome your questions and will do all we can to help your pet recover fully and safely.