5 common myths about veterinary anesthesia

Scheduling surgery or dental work for your pet can be a scary proposition. Every procedure carries some measure of risk, so it’s tough to think about your loved ones under anesthesia. But before you panic, talk to your veterinarian to determine what’s best for your pet and discuss your concerns. And don’t hesitate to do a little research of your own—here’s a guide to some of the most common myths about anesthesia:

Myth: Anesthesia complications are common
Fact: Don’t let horror stories prevent
your pet from receiving necessary
veterinary care. Complications
do occur, but deaths are rare. Studies
suggest that for normal, healthy
dogs and cats, the risk of death is
approximately one in 2,000. For
animals with a preexisting disease,
that number increases to about one
in 500. But a well-trained veterinary
team will take every reasonable precaution—
including having a knowledgeable
staff, appropriate patient
monitoring procedures, and proper
patient evaluation and preparation—
to minimize these risks.

Myth: Certain anesthetic drugs could harm my pet
Fact: In most cases, monitoring a
pet’s condition (for example, monitoring
anesthetic depth, blood
oxygenation, respiration, blood
pressure, body temperature, and
heart electrical activity) during a
procedure is much more important
than which drug protocol is selected.
It’s more important for your
veterinarian to tailor a protocol to
each patient’s needs and provide
an appropriate level of supportive
care—seldom is one drug better
or worse than others since they all
have benefits and risks.


Myth: Most complications occur during a procedure while my pet is asleep
Fact: Almost half of anesthetic
deaths occur after the delivery of
anesthetic drugs during recovery.
Ask your veterinarian for a rundown
of how your pet will be cared
for after a procedure and make
sure you’re comfortable with that
level of care. Premium care will
often cost a little more, but you can
take comfort in the fact that your
pet will be receiving an optimum
level of attention and monitoring
during a very critical period.

Myth: Most veterinarians provide a similar level of anesthetic care and monitoring
Fact: Every veterinarian has a different
way of doing things. Some
may refer cases to or consult with
a specialist for anesthetic procedures,
while others may rely on
their in-house team. If you have
any questions or concerns, ask
your veterinarian for details before
your pet undergoes any anesthetic
procedures, then make an
informed decision about what’s
best for your pet.

Myth: The Internet is the most reliable source for information about potential anethesia risks
Fact: While some sites offer reliable
and useful information, plenty
of others contain inconsistencies
or flat-out falsities. So don’t be
fooled by misinformation, which
can spread quickly from website
to website. Do your research on
anesthesia and its potential—but
rare—complications, then discuss
your findings with your veterinarian
to make sure you’re getting the
most accurate picture. This will allow
you to do what’s best for your
pet—and perhaps rid your mind of
a few unfounded fears.


A well-trained veterinary team will take every reasonable precaution to minimize the risks from anesthesia.

Based on information provided by Dr. Kurt Grimm, PhD, Veterinary Specialist Services, Conifer, Colo.