General anaesthesia allows vets to perform surgery, dental cleaning and imaging safely and without pain. For healthy pets, serious complications are uncommon, and modern drugs and monitoring have made anaesthesia safer than ever. Knowing how risk is managed, and what to ask, can ease your worries.
This guide is part of our guide to veterinary specialists. Board-certified veterinary anaesthesiologists exist, but most anaesthesia is managed by general practice teams.
How anaesthesia works
- Pre-anaesthetic assessment: physical exam, history and often blood tests.
- Premedication: sedatives and pain relief to calm your pet and reduce the dose of anaesthetic needed.
- Induction: usually an injection that brings on unconsciousness.
- Maintenance: typically an inhaled anaesthetic gas through a breathing tube.
- Monitoring: continuous checks of vital signs.
- Recovery: monitored waking up, warmth and pain relief.
What affects anaesthetic risk
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Overall health | Heart, lung, kidney and liver disease increase risk |
| Species | Rabbits, small mammals, birds and reptiles need specialised protocols. See our exotic pet vet guide |
| Breed | Flat-faced (brachycephalic) dogs and cats have airway challenges |
| Age | Very young and very old pets need tailored drugs and doses; age alone is not a reason to avoid anaesthesia |
| Procedure type and length | Longer, emergency or major surgeries carry more risk |
What monitoring should you expect?
- A dedicated person (vet or trained nurse/technician) watching the patient throughout
- Heart rate and ECG
- Oxygen level (pulse oximetry)
- Carbon dioxide in exhaled breath (capnography)
- Blood pressure
- Body temperature, with active warming
- IV catheter and fluids for most procedures
Questions to ask before your pet’s procedure
- Do you recommend pre-anaesthetic blood tests for my pet?
- Who will monitor my pet, and what equipment do you use?
- Will my pet have an IV catheter and fluids?
- How will you keep my pet warm?
- What pain relief will be given during and after?
- Should I withhold food, and for how long? (Rules differ for rabbits and small pets, which usually should not be fasted.)
- When will you call me with an update?
After anaesthesia
- Mild drowsiness or wobbliness for the rest of the day is normal.
- Offer a small meal and water when advised.
- Keep your pet warm, quiet and confined.
- Call your vet for excessive lethargy, vomiting, breathing difficulty or pale gums.
Related guides
- Dog dental care (and dental cleaning under anaesthesia)
- Rabbit spay and neuter
- Senior dog wellness exam
- Types of veterinary specialists
This guide is general information for pet owners and is not a substitute for an examination by a licensed veterinarian. If your pet is unwell, contact your vet.
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