While there is always some risk with any medical procedure, modern anesthesia has become much safer and more comfortable. Since scientists have discovered new types of medications, we no longer have to rely on large doses of single medications, making these medications safer and with less side effects.
Veterinarians can now use lower doses of multiple medications to allow for more comfortable anesthetic induction and recovery as well as control of pain and fear. At Veterinary Dental Specialists of Missouri, your pet’s safety is of utmost importance. With our customized anesthetic protocols, our goal is to minimize the risks of placing your pet under anesthesia for dental cleanings or procedures.
Pre-Anesthetic Testing
The pre-anesthetic physical examination allows your veterinarian to detect some functional issues, such as heart abnormalities or breathing issues, that may remain hidden by your companion animal. If underlying conditions are detected, further testing, such as chest radiographs or an echocardiogram, will be requested before any anesthetic episode to determine the risk of anesthesia and minimize risk.
Laboratory testing, like a complete blood count and blood chemistry panel, also provides your veterinarian with some basic knowledge about organ function and allows for detecting conditions like anemia, low platelet counts, and abnormal white blood cell counts. Changes in values that might indicate signs of organ dysfunction or other underlying conditions will highlight the need for additional testing to determine whether anesthesia is appropriate and what medications might be best.
Following physical examination, laboratory testing, and any other testing needed based on initial findings, an appropriate selection of medications can then be customized to each pet. Our consulting Board Certified Veterinary Anesthesiologist can create a custom anesthetic protocol as well as troubleshoot any issues that may arise during the procedure, allowing for the safest and smoothest anesthetic experience possible. Please notify the veterinarian if your pet has had any reactions to anesthetic procedures, as this will allow us to avoid medications that may have caused issues in the past.
Pet Dental Anesthesia Procedures
Once an anesthetic plan has been created, your companion will be provided with medications to help calm and relax them. After those medications have taken effect, an area on their leg will be shaved and an intravenous catheter will be placed. This catheter will allow medications and fluids to be given during the procedure to improve circulation and pain control, as well as provide quick access if any concerns arise.
Throughout the procedure, your companion’s blood pressure, breathing, heart (EKG), temperature, exhaled carbon dioxide, and oxygen saturation will be monitored to allow for quick response to any concerning changes and to ensure they have optimum pain control. Our skilled and trained staff will be with your pet from the initial exam all the way through anesthetic recovery.
Your pet will have a friendly face that is familiar to them when they wake up. Your companion will also have comforts including heat support, oxygen if needed, comfortable blankets, and human touch as they are recovering from their procedure. If needed, they can be given additional calming medication to maintain a relaxed recovery.
Isn’t My Pet Too Old?
Anesthetic risk is determined by the existence of complicating conditions and risk of the procedure being performed. Aging is not technically a disease but can come with more health conditions. Additional testing is more likely to be required in older patients due to their chances of having other health issues.
These conditions can lead to a change in choices of medications used to decrease anxiety and pain and provide a quality anesthetic experience for older patients while working to minimize impact on any pre-existing health issues they may have. Our consulting Board Certified Veterinary Anesthesiologist’s job is to create an appropriate anesthetic plan for your pet and remotely monitor the entire anesthetic episode to allow any issues to be addressed quickly and in the most optimum way possible.
If it is determined that anesthesia is not safe for your companion due to severe health conditions, our Board Certified Veterinary Dentist will discuss any options that might be available to improve the comfort of your companion even if they are not able to undergo treatment under anesthesia. You can be confident knowing that we will do everything we can to improve the comfort and health of your companion animal.
Pet Dental Procedures with Anesthesia in St. Louis
At Veterinary Dental Specialists of Missouri, your pet’s safety and comfort are our top priorities. Placing your pet under anesthesia for a dental cleaning is extremely important, as this keeps your pet comfortable and calm, while also allowing our team to safely clean under your pet’s gumline – an area of the mouth that can become infected and is not possible to clean without anesthesia.
With our safety protocols and the supervision of our Board Certified Veterinary Dentist, dental cleanings at our clinic are a beneficial and essential procedure for the health of both cats and dogs. Contact us to schedule your pet’s dental appointment today.
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