If your pet is struggling with an illness or injury that has led to the need for surgery, it's a concerning and stressful time. Any time you are dealing with impending surgery, you also have to consider the fact that it means your pet will be put under anesthesia. The anesthesia process is a significant one, and it's one that can be hard on your pet's body. As a result, before you consider any elective surgery, you should understand the risks that your pet faces going under anesthesia. Here's what you need to know.
Weight Matters
Anesthesia medications are dosed based on weight. In order for your pet to be adequately and accurately sedated, your veterinarian must base the dosage and the sustaining medication on your pet's current weight. That means that even if your pet's weight has fluctuated a little bit since the last clinical visit, it can make a difference. Before any kind of surgery, your vet should weigh your pet that day to get an accurate weight for the dosage.
In addition, there are some occasions where your pet may need closer attention using a veterinary monitor during the surgery. For example, animals that are particularly thin may have greater trouble with temperature regulation and heart rate control. The anesthesia won't have much fat to metabolize into. That means it can stay in the system longer, having greater effects on the heart rate and causing a deeper sleep, which can cause your pet to get colder.
Age Is More Than A Number
When it comes to sedating animals, the age of your pet is a serious concern. Animals that are too young, such as those under three months, are not able to process anesthesia as well. Their organs are still developing, so they are at greater risk of low blood pressure and body temperature drops during surgery.
Animals who are in their older years are also at greater risk. Their organs may have suffered from some declining function over the years, which means that the anesthesia could cause further damage. It can also affect blood flow, which can cause extensive damage to the animal's kidneys and liver.
Body Structure Can Be A Serious Concern
Just like weight, overall body structure is also a concern. Smaller animals, such as toy breed dogs and cats, are at greater risk of complications from anesthesia treatment. In addition, smaller animals can be harder to monitor during anesthesia because it can be harder to get the monitoring equipment attached in the right place. Veterinary monitoring equipment is precise and must be placed correctly to give accurate readings. Remember that this can be a more serious consideration for smaller animals.
Breed Is A Big Deal
Your pet's breed is another thing that you need to consider when you are facing the possibility of anesthesia and surgery. Certain animal breeds are at greater risk of anesthesia complications than others. For example, animals with flat faces, such as Persian or Himalayan cats, pugs, bulldogs, and the like, are at greater risk of respiratory complications from anesthesia. This should be taken seriously because respiratory distress can be a serious danger.
Breeds with smaller tracheal structures are also at risk because it takes significant skill to run a breathing tube correctly for those animals. Poodles are one breed with this problem. Your veterinarian can tell you if this is something you should be worried about.
Talk with your veterinarian about any risks associated with the anesthesia and surgery before you make any decisions. Consider these points and your veterinarian's recommendations. You can also ask to see the veterinary monitoring equipment so you can see how your pet will be monitored throughout the process.
Hello, my name is Bonnie Strickland. Welcome to my website about medical supplies. In my household, many of my loved ones regularly depend on medical supplies to stay well. The medical supplies allow for prompt and thorough care of wounds and symptoms of health issues. These supplies are purpose-designed to serve a particular function in the care process. On this site, I will talk about the various types of functions that medical equipment offers. I will also cover how to best utilize the medical supplies for treatment of injuries or illnesses. I welcome you to visit my site daily to learn all there is to know about medical supplies.