Understanding Anesthesia for Your Pets

Yes, even veterinarians make mistakes, and I definitely made some of these myself. As an involved pet parent, it’s crucial for you to be aware of this and to ask questions if your dog or cat is going to have anesthesia. Just last week at my former veterinary clinic, I discussed many of these points while Tula was having her dental procedure.

Ensuring Optimal Organ Function

One significant aspect to consider is ensuring your pet’s organs are functioning optimally. This decreases the likelihood of complications and aids in faster recovery. The primary organ responsible for metabolizing anesthesia is the liver.

Tula’s Experience with Anesthesia

The famous Tula recently underwent anesthesia, and her blood work revealed an elevated liver enzyme. In response, I had her on some liver-supportive supplements both before and after her dental procedure. I’m happy to report that she did fabulously with the anesthetic!

We now offer a specific Liver Support Chew that contains the most important studied natural ingredients to help the liver: Milk Thistle, SAMe, Dandelion root, Vitamin E, and Turmeric.

You can get your tasty and healthy liver chews Dr. Jones’ ULTIMATE Liver Support Formula for Dogs and Cats.

8 Mistakes Your Vet Might Be Making in Surgical Anesthesia

As a veterinarian, I understand the importance of keeping up with the latest practices in surgical anesthesia. However, not all veterinary professionals are current with new anesthesia protocols, which can lead to potential complications for your pets. The methods of administering anesthesia have evolved significantly over the past decade, and it’s crucial to recognize these changes.

Here are eight common mistakes in surgical anesthesia that I believe pet owners should be aware of, especially when their furry friends are about to undergo surgery.

Mistake 1: Underestimating Young Patients’ Risks

It’s a misconception that younger, healthy patients are low-risk during anesthesia. While age can influence anesthetic risk, the presence of any underlying health issues is more critical. Every patient, regardless of age, should undergo a comprehensive preoperative assessment, including a thorough physical examination and a minimum database, which consists of hematocrit, total solids, and blood glucose levels. For geriatric patients, a more detailed evaluation focusing on cardiovascular, respiratory, and vital organ function is essential. Most anesthesia-related fatalities occur during recovery, emphasizing the need for vigilant monitoring throughout the entire anesthetic period.

Mistake 2: Neglecting Equipment Maintenance

Keeping anesthesia equipment in top condition is vital. Vaporizers should be calibrated every three to five years. I recommend creating a preoperative checklist to ensure that all equipment is functioning correctly before each procedure. Regularly inspect your breathing systems and check for leaks daily. If there’s an undetected leak, you won’t know how much anesthetic or oxygen is being delivered to your patient versus being released into the environment.

Mistake 3: Failing to Change CO2 Absorbents Regularly

CO2 absorbents undergo an irreversible chemical change when they react with CO2, transforming into calcium carbonate. Over time, the purple color fades, which can mislead veterinary technicians into thinking the absorbent is still effective. The absorbent granules should be regularly changed based on their condition—soft and squishy granules are fine, but hard granules are spent. I recommend setting reminders on your smartphone or adding this task to a paper calendar to ensure timely changes.

Mistake 4: Inadequate Anesthesia Records

Anesthesia monitoring records are not just paperwork; they are legal documents. I’ve been a professional witness in cases involving anesthesia incidents, where improper record-keeping led to complications. Protect yourself by maintaining detailed records—download anesthesia monitoring sheets from AAHA online. Record all medications administered in milligrams or micrograms, and document all events, particularly any adverse occurrences. Consider training a technician to help manage and oversee anesthesia records.

Mistake 5: Skipping the Anesthesia Checklist

Checklists have been integral to aviation safety since the early 20th century, and they can also save lives in veterinary medicine. If your practice doesn’t regularly use an anesthesia checklist, I encourage you to implement one. This checklist should include preoperative and induction drugs and routine steps like applying eye lubricant, monitoring leads, inflating cuffs, and starting fluids. You can find downloadable anesthesia checklists online to help streamline this process.

Mistake 6: Disregarding Hypothermia

Hypothermia is a frequent complication during general anesthesia and recovery, as it disrupts shivering, metabolism, and thermoregulation. This can lead to increased stress, prolonged recovery, and a weakened immune response. Have you ever noticed a dog developing skin infections after surgery? Hypothermia might be to blame. Patients begin losing heat as soon as premedication occurs, with smaller, older pets, and certain breeds like dachshunds being particularly vulnerable.

To combat hypothermia, I recommend a comprehensive strategy that includes limiting anesthesia time, warming lavage fluids, and using heated tables or circulating-warm-water blankets. If a patient is wet post-surgery, use a blow dryer to help dry them off. Warming fluids can also be beneficial; just ensure that the warmers are placed as close to the patient as possible for maximum effectiveness. Additionally, consider using rescue blankets to reflect the patient’s body heat back onto them.

Mistake 7: Using the Operating Room as a Storage Space

The cleanliness of the operating room (OR) is paramount. An infection rate above 4% in young, healthy patients undergoing routine procedures is too high, and we should strive for a 0% nosocomial infection rate. I encourage you to ask your veterinarian about the cleanliness of the OR and air flow conditions. The OR should be a dedicated space for surgery—free from clutter and cross-contamination. Technicians monitoring anesthesia should wear caps and masks, and mopping the OR regularly will do more to prevent infection than simply wearing booties.

Mistake 8: Presurgical Scrubbing

Interestingly, human doctors have moved away from traditional scrubbing methods. Scrubbing can create micro-abrasions on the skin that harbor bacteria, leading to a higher rate of surgical infections. The World Health Organization now recommends using alcohol-based surgical hand disinfectants, such as Sterilium or Avagard, prior to surgery. If hands are grossly contaminated, a gentle soap should be used for cleaning before applying disinfectant.

By addressing these mistakes—from proper equipment maintenance to preventing hypothermia and ensuring a clean operating environment—veterinarians can minimize complications during routine surgeries.

Heal Your Pet at Home!

P.S. It’s important to ask your veterinarian about their surgical anesthesia protocols, particularly regarding how they plan to prevent hypothermia. Feel free to share these suggestions with them.

P.P.S. To help your pets recover more effectively from anesthesia, consider supporting their liver with nutrients that have been shown to be beneficial for your dog’s health. Check out Dr. Jones’ ULTIMATE Liver Support Formula for Dogs and Cats.