Article Release: Issue 23 
Release Date: April 16, 2025 
Written By: Dr. Tomas Infernuso DVM, DACVS
With Contributions From: Safe Pet Anesthesia 

Anesthesia is an essential part of veterinary surgery, ensuring pets remain pain-free, comfortable, and still during procedures. However, many pet owners feel anxious about their pet undergoing anesthesia, often wondering about its safety, risks, and what veterinary hospitals do to minimize complications. At Animal Surgical Center (ASC), we adhere to the highest standards of veterinary anesthesia and pain management, following AAHA-accredited protocols to ensure every pet receives customized, safe, and advanced care. In this article, we’ll answer common questions about veterinary anesthesia, explain how it differs from human anesthesia, and discuss the advanced safety measures we have in place at ASC.

How Does Anesthesia Work in Pets, and How Is It Different from Human Anesthesia?

Anesthesia in pets works similarly to human anesthesia, using a combination of medications to induce unconsciousness, prevent pain, and relax muscles. However, because pets come in different species, sizes, and breeds, anesthetic protocols must be carefully tailored to each individual. Unlike human hospitals, which have anesthesiologists available at all times, veterinary anesthesia is managed by a team of trained nurses, and advanced monitoring equipment to ensure patient safety. We partner with Safe Pet Anesthesia, a team of board-certified veterinary anesthesiologists available to follow your whole pet procedure on telemedicine when necessary. At ASC, we follow strict dosing and monitoring protocols to keep pets stable and comfortable during surgery.

What Are the Risks of Anesthesia, and How Does ASC Minimize Them?

While anesthesia is generally safe, it does carry some risks, such as:
• Low blood pressure
• Irregular heart rhythms
• Breathing difficulties

At ASC, we minimize risks through:
• Tailored anesthesia plans based on each pet’s medical history and condition
• Comprehensive pre-anesthetic evaluations (physical exams, blood tests, and imaging if needed)
• State-of-the-art monitoring (ECG, pulse oximetry, blood pressure, capnography)
• Dedicated anesthesia team overseeing every procedure
• Telemedicine with a team of board-certified anesthesiologists

These safety measures ensure anesthesia is as low-risk as possible, even for pets with underlying health conditions.

How Do We Determine if a Pet Is a Good Candidate for Anesthesia?

Before any anesthetic procedure, our veterinarians perform a full assessment, which includes:
• Reviewing medical history (age, breed, past procedures, existing conditions)
• Pre-anesthetic bloodwork to check liver and kidney function
• Additional diagnostics (e.g., ECG, chest X-rays, ultrasound) for pets with heart or lung concerns

This thorough screening process helps us adjust anesthesia protocols to each pet’s specific needs, ensuring the highest level of safety.

Special Precautions for High-Risk Pets (Senior Pets, Heart/Kidney Conditions, etc.)

Older pets and those with chronic conditions such as heart disease, kidney disease, or diabetes require specialized anesthesia protocols. At ASC, we take extra precautions, including:

• Lower anesthetic doses to reduce the incidence of side effects
• Multimodal pain management to ensure your pet is always comfortable
• Intravenous fluid therapy to maintain blood pressure and support organ function
• Medications to ensure your pet stability during the whole anesthetic event
• Continuous monitoring by our anesthesia team throughout surgery and recovery

For complex cases, we partner with a team of board-certified anesthesiologists on telemedicine, to optimize anesthesia plans and ensure maximum safety and comfort.

The Role of Pre-Anesthetic Testing and Why It’s Important

Pre-anesthetic testing identifies hidden health issues that could increase anesthesia risks. Testing includes:
• Bloodwork – Evaluates liver/kidney function and red/white blood cell levels
• Electrocardiogram (ECG) – Detects heart rhythm abnormalities
• Chest X-rays/Ultrasound – Assesses heart and lung health for at-risk pets

These tests help us adjust anesthesia plans to ensure pets receive the safest possible care.

How Do We Monitor Pets During Surgery?

At ASC, patient safety is our top priority. Throughout anesthesia, pets are continuously monitored by dedicated anesthesia technicians and state-of-the-art equipment, including:

• ECG (heart rate & rhythm monitoring)
• Pulse oximetry (oxygen saturation monitoring)
• Capnography (carbon dioxide levels to assess breathing)
• Blood pressure monitoring
• Temperature regulation to prevent hypothermia

With these monitoring measures in place, we can quickly adjust anesthesia levels to maintain stability and safety.

What to Expect During Recovery from Anesthesia

After surgery, pets are carefully transferred to a quiet, supervised recovery area. The post-anesthetic process includes:

• Oxygen support & warming devices to maintain body temperature
• Pain management tailored to each pet
• Slow, controlled wake-up to prevent disorientation

Most pets will be slightly groggy for 12–24 hours, with temporary loss of appetite or mild drowsiness. Our team provides detailed home care instructions to ensure a smooth recovery.

What If I’m Nervous About My Pet Undergoing Anesthesia?

It’s completely natural to feel anxious, but modern veterinary anesthesia is safer than ever. At ASC, we take every precaution to protect your pet, including:

• Following strict AAHA-accredited anesthesia protocols
• Customizing anesthesia plans for safety and comfort
• Ensuring real-time monitoring by trained specialists
• Providing thorough pre-anesthetic testing to detect potential risks
• Option to have a board-certified anesthesiologist follow your whole pet procedure on telemedicine

If you have any concerns, we’re here to answer all your questions—your pet’s safety is our priority.

How Our Anesthesia Consultation Service with Dr. Bini and Safe Pet Anesthesia Enhances Care

For pets with complex medical conditions or high anesthesia risk, ASC partners with Safe Pet Anesthesia, a team of board-certified anesthesiologists led by Dr. Bini, to:

• Develop anesthesia plans tailored to high-risk patients
• Follow your pet procedure on video-call throughout your whole pet procedure
• Provide real-time expert input during procedures
• Ensure additional safety measures for fragile pets

This collaborative approach allows us to optimize anesthesia care, ensuring every pet receives the safest, most effective treatment.

Trust ASC for Safe, Expert-Led Veterinary Anesthesia

At Animal Surgical Center, we are dedicated to providing the highest level of surgical and anesthetic care. Whether your pet is undergoing a routine procedure or requires specialized anesthesia planning, our team is here to ensure a smooth, safe, and comfortable experience.

💡 Have questions about your pet’s upcoming procedure? Contact our team today—we’re here to help every step of the way.

With compassion and care,
The ASC Team