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Anaesthetics are metabolized by the liver and the kidneys, or excreted unchanged by the lungs. Many anaesthetic agents are metabolized or excreted in primarily one way, but must also be metabolized or excreted to some extent in another way as well. In order for the anaesthetic, and the patient under anaesthetic, to behave as they are expected, the liver, the kidneys, the lungs and the heart must all be working well. No anaesthetic is without risk, but we try to minimize the risk to your pet as much as possible. How is the Risk Minimized?(1) Except for pets coming in for spays, neuters, onchyectomies (declaws), and emergency surgeries, there is usually a consultation just prior to the procedure being booked. A physical exam is performed at this time and for every "older" pet (in our hospital seven years of age and older is considered to be "older") blood work and a urinalysis are recommended. If a heart murmur is detected we may advise a thyroid level, a chest x-ray, an E.C.G., or a cardiac ultrasound. If the lungs do not sound normal we will probably recommend a chest x-ray, and so on. Once the results of initial testing are available the veterinarian and the client may decide either to go ahead with the anaesthetic now, to do further testing, to treat a newly diagnosed disease for a while prior to an anaesthetic, or not to proceed with the anaesthetic at all. If we decide to proceed with an anaesthetic in a patient who now has been diagnosed with some health problems, particularly problems affecting the organs which metabolize an anaesthetic, we will carefully choose the most appropriate anaesthetic agent (or agents) for this pet. (2) Just prior to every anaesthetic a brief physical exam is performed. If there are any new concerns at this time, the procedure can be delayed until further testing is completed. (3) We strongly recommend that all pets five years and older receive intravenous fluids during an anaesthetic. An older pet has older kidneys and even if blood work and a urinalysis is normal, the kidneys may still be in less than optimal health. Most anaesthetic agents will lower blood pressure and this can be very damaging to the kidneys. Giving intravenous fluids helps to increase blood volume and in doing so it increases the blood pressure, minimizing possible kidney damage. What About the Younger Pet?While our hospital does not currently require that the younger pet have screening blood work prior to an anaesthetic, any pet of any age could have a yet-as-undetected health problem even with a normal physical exam. If you are interested in pre-anaesthetic testing for your younger pet, please call, or discuss this with us the next time that you are in. Intravenous fluids are of benefit to the younger pet as well. You have the option to request this service at the time of your pet's anaesthetic. Please call with any questions you may have.
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Site created by Dr. Heather Ann Matheson-Rakita. Copyright 2003 Manotick Veterinary Hospital. Last modified: February 02, 2004 |