Side Effects of Anesthesia in Dogs

There comes a time in many dogs’ lives when anesthesia is needed for a surgical or otherwise painful procedure. Anesthesia contains a safe mix of drugs that will depress your dog's nervous system, resulting in a pain-free surgical procedure. When your dog is under anesthesia, it will be unconscious for the duration of surgery and a short time afterward. Although it can be distressing to see your dog lying unconscious on a medical table, anesthesia is incredibly safe and useful. Still, there are some potential side effects of anesthesia in dogs you should be aware of.

a dog getting anesthesia

Sides Effects and Risks

The most common side effect of anesthesia in dogs is a swollen injection site. Usually, this swelling disappears a few hours after the procedure is over. Another potential side effect is a repressed cardiovascular system. This is far rarer, and generally only occurs in dogs with pre-existing heart conditions. If this does occur, our veterinarian will continue monitoring your pet’s vitals and treat them promptly.

Pre-Existing Conditions

Dogs with certain pre-existing conditions should not be administered general anesthesia. These dogs require different drugs administered by a specialist. For instance, dogs suffering from Cushing's disease and Addison's disease require extra caution from the veterinarian. It's also important that you inform your veterinarian of any other known conditions, even if you don't think they will impact the anesthesia. Conditions such as obesity, hypothyroidism, and diabetes can all impact whether anesthesia in dogs works and what kind of interactions could potentially occur.

Breed-Related Risks

Another aspect to keep in mind for anesthesia in dogs is breed restrictions. Different breeds have varying genetic components that either qualify or disqualify them from certain treatments. For instance, Boxers and other short-snouted breeds require far less anesthesia compared to breeds with longer snouts. Additionally, not all breeds recover at the same rate from anesthesia. Certain breeds can take longer to recover, especially those who suffer from metabolic disorders. 

Contact Our Veterinarian

With all of these risks and symptoms in mind, it's important to choose a qualified and trusted vet in your community to administer anesthesia. Kindred Care Pet Hospital has years of experience offering comprehensive veterinary care to Richmond, TX, and the surrounding areas.

If you have any more questions about anesthesia in dogs or would like to schedule an appointment, call us at (281) 265-0009 or visit us online.



Online Pharmacy

 HILL’S TO HOME

Get Hill’s Prescription Diet, Science Diet or Healthy Advantage conveniently delivered to your house. Free shipping with no minimum order on the right schedule for you and your pet. Save up to 30% off your first order* and 5% on future shipments.

                     Office Hours

Holiday hours may vary, please call us for further information.

Monday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Saturday:

9:00 am-2:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed

Kindred Care Pet Hospital logo
7039 FM 1464,
Richmond, TX 77407, USA
Get Directions