Efficacy of General Anesthesia in Dogs
Modern anesthetic agents and protocols are sophisticated and safe. The anesthetic agents are often short-acting and anesthesia is maintained by a steady low dose supply of them. This means there is less buildup (hangover) in the body and less suppression of blood pressure of blood flow to major organs. All of this contributes to the safety and efficacy both during and after the anesthetic.
Efficacy in terms of safety can be improved by careful pre-op assessment, including a detailed physical exam and blood tests. Careful selection of anesthetic drugs and the circuit used to maintain the anesthetic are also crucial. This allows the anesthetist to compensate for potential problems which could destabilize or endanger the patient.
Alternatives to general anesthesia include heavy sedation and local anesthetic. This may be appropriate for minor surgical procedures on the skin, but does not give sufficient pain relief or immobility for abdominal or chest surgery.
It is vital the patient is closely monitored during and after anesthetic. The period when the anesthetic is turned off and the dog regains consciousness is the recovery period. This is a time when the patient is at increased risk of vomiting and inhaling the vomitus, or extreme excitement, breathing difficulties, or injury to the incision.
The full recovery time after an anesthetic (say for imaging) is relatively quick, with most dogs being back to normal the following day. For those patients undergoing surgery, the full recovery time depends on the operation they underwent. Typically, for neutering this is 10 to 14 days.
Breakdown: Dog Sedation Costs
On average, vets charge $50-$75 to sedate a small dog and $100-$200 to sedate a large dog. Sedation costs are dependent on the animal’s weight, which is why the cost can vary so much. Costs also vary based on the type of sedative used. We will dive into these factors more below.
How much does it cost to care for a dog?
The expenses of having a dog go beyond the initial cost to buy it from the breeder, pet store, pound, or adoption agency. Ongoing costs of caring for a dog include food, regular wellness checkups, collars and leashes, and more. Regular vaccinations for heartworm and other diseases are also necessary to keep your dog healthy. Many pet owners also spay or neuter their pets, which are one-time expenses.
According to a recent FinanceBuzz survey, 64% of dog owners pay over $200 per year on routine pet care. While this reflects routine expenses, the cost to own a dog can increase dramatically if your pet gets sick or injured. We all hope that nothing bad ever happens to our pets, but accidents happen and some illnesses are common to certain breeds.
Lets take a look at some of the most common dog surgeries and the average cost for those procedures.
The Anaesthesia Process at Davies Veterinary Specialists
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