Having a pet undergo a sedated or anesthetized procedure can be a scary time for a pet owner. Read below to learn more about what the difference between sedation and anesthesia is, how they can benefit your pet and things you can do to better prepare your pet for such a procedure.
Do you know the difference between sedation and general anesthesia? Sedation refers to a state where the patient is calm and relaxed and may or may not be conscious. Sedation is typically used for shorter (up to 30 minutes), less-invasive veterinary procedures such as diagnostic imaging, joint injections, suture removal, and wound management. Injectable sedation is short-acting, and with most sedatives, a reversal agent can be given once the procedure is complete. This agent reverses the effects of the sedative on the central nervous system and can provide quick recovery within 15-20 minutes after injection.
On the other hand, anesthesia produces a loss of consciousness. General anesthesia is typically used for longer, more invasive procedures such as surgery or dental cleanings. When a pet is under general anesthesia, they are connected to an anesthetic machine, and a tube is placed through their mouth into the trachea to allow oxygen and the inhalant anesthetic to be dispersed as the patient breathes.
Answer: True. Most veterinarians ask that pets be fasted for at least 12 hours prior to arriving at the clinic for their procedure if possible. Any food in the patient’s stomach will increase the likelihood of aspirating food into the lungs if the pet vomits during induction of the procedure. Fasting your pet can also help reduce defecation during the procedure. This is important so we can keep a clean and, potentially, sterile surgical site if needed.
Is your pet usually nervous or stressed during veterinary visits? Talk to us to see if a PVP–pre-visit pharmaceutical–might be an option. These medications are used as an addition to training, behavioral, and/or environmental modification to treat veterinary-related fear, anxiety, or stress.
When implemented with a behavioral treatment plan, these medications can increase the odds of a successful visit. They help reduce the stress and anxiety so our veterinary team can work to change the way your pet feels about specific procedures. If your pet is anxious about veterinary visits, we can recommend a plan to help make exams less stressful.
There are many different levels of fear, anxiety, and stress that your pet may experience at the veterinary clinic. Some pets may show more signs than others, and with each new sign, the animal is pushed into a different level. The Fear Free Initiative has been extremely helpful in educating veterinary professionals as well as pet owners on the different levels of fear, anxiety, and stress. Fear Free uses a scale where the animal can have high levels (Levels 4-5) of fear, stress, and anxiety as well as lower levels (Levels 0-1). In dogs, higher levels of stress can include aggression, ears back and tail tucked between their legs, actively trying to escape, excessive panting, trembling, increased respiratory rate, and immobility. When cats are experiencing a high level of stress, they can exhibit aggression, hissing, actively trying to escape, ears back, tail tight or tucked, and immobility.
Understanding your pet’s body language and being an advocate for your pet’s veterinary behavioral health is a very important tool as a pet owner. Our pets communicate with us through visual communication which is different from how people communicate through verbal communication. When breaking down body language, it’s recommended to look at the entire dog and to monitor their posture and 6 different body parts. The body parts are the tail, hair, ears, eyes, mouth, and face.
It is normal for pets to be mentally affected from sedation or anesthesia 24-72 hours after their procedure. Your pet will be discharged from the hospital when they are fully awake, warm (normal body temperature), and comfortable. We like to keep your pet under observation for several hours post-procedure.
After their procedure, your pet may have some temporary behavioral changes where they are unable to recognize people or familiar surroundings. These effects are normal and usually resolve in a few days. Because most sedatives and anesthetics reduce body temperature, we may also advise keeping your pet in a warm room to help control their body temperature. Lastly, it is important to recognize that obese animals can often have delayed recoveries. Most of the medications used are fat soluble, so the more body fat your pet has, the longer it will take for their system to remove the anesthetic.
Every patient responds to sedatives and anesthesia differently. Our goal is to create a full sedation/anesthetic plan that would work best for your pet.
Has your pet ever had to undergo a procedure requiring sedation? It’s common to have questions and concerns about the safety of sedation, and while there’s a risk with any procedure, sedation can be an important part of any veterinary treatment plan. Without sedation, moving forward with procedures when your pet is distressed can create long-lasting, negative effects, and increase fear, stress, and anxiety for the next appointment. This can make future medical care difficult and have negative effects on your pet’s health.
Using sedation not only helps decrease your pet’s stress but also increases the veterinary team’s safety. When a patient undergoes a veterinary procedure while they are painful, fearful, stressed, and anxious, they may begin to panic. Unfortunately, pets do not understand why they are being poked or restrained, and they will do everything in their power to make this scary situation stop. This behavior can include aggression, such as growling, lunging, and biting, which can injure a veterinary team member. By providing sedation at the onset, this scenario can be prevented and the procedure can be completed safely and effectively.
Using sedatives prior to veterinary care or prior to an anesthetic procedure can lower patient and staff stress, improve ease of patient handling, and can even reduce the amount of inhalant anesthetic that the patient may need. Sedatives can also help obtain more accurate lab work because some values may change with increased stress during blood collection.
If you ever have any questions about sedation or anesthesia for your pet, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Have you ever wondered what happens when your furry friend needs to be sedated at the vet? Maybe your dog freaks out during thunderstorms gets anxious during car rides or simply needs to chill for a medical procedure. As someone who’s worked closely with veterinary professionals, I’ve seen firsthand how the sedation process works, and I’m here to share the ins and outs of veterinary sedation with you.
Why Would Your Dog Need Sedation?
Before diving into the how, let’s talk about the why. There are several reasons your vet might recommend sedating your dog
Dogs, like humans can get pretty worked up in stressful situations. The difference is we can’t exactly explain to them why they need to hold still for that nail trim or X-ray!
The Veterinary Sedation Process: Step by Step
When you take your dog to the vet for a procedure requiring sedation, here’s what typically happens:
1. Pre-Sedation Assessment
Your vet will first perform a thorough examination to make sure your pup is healthy enough for sedation. This usually includes:
- Weighing your dog (this is super important for proper dosing)
- Physical examination (checking heart, lungs, gums, etc.)
- Review of your dog’s complete medical history
- Possibly running pre-sedation bloodwork and other tests
“We always weigh pets before anesthesia,” says Dr. Jamie Freyer, a licensed veterinarian. “The dosage is calculated based on your dog’s exact weight, not an estimate.”
Pre-sedation tests might include:
- Blood tests to check organ function
- Urinalysis
- Chest X-rays (especially for older dogs)
- ECG (electrocardiogram) to check heart function
2. Preparing for Sedation
Once your vet decides it’s safe to proceed, they’ll:
- Place an IV catheter (this provides immediate access if emergency medications are needed)
- Start IV fluid therapy (helps maintain blood pressure and speeds recovery)
- Possibly administer pre-sedative medications
The IV catheter is like your dog’s lifeline during sedation – it allows the vet to immediately administer any emergency medications if needed. And those fluids? They’re not just for show – studies show that dogs receiving IV fluids during procedures have a significantly reduced risk of kidney problems afterward.
3. Administering Sedatives
Now for the part you’re probably most curious about – what drugs do vets actually use to sedate dogs?
Common Veterinary Sedatives
Your vet might use one or a combination of these medications:
- Acepromazine (ACP) – A common, fast-acting tranquilizer that works within 20-30 minutes
- Gabapentin – Provides sedation and pain relief, takes about 2 hours to fully work
- Trazodone – Often used for dogs with chronic anxiety
- Benzodiazepines (like diazepam) – Fast-acting but short duration
- General anesthetics – For deeper sedation or full anesthesia
Most vets use what’s called “balanced anesthesia” – a combination of different sedatives and anesthetics tailored to your dog’s specific needs. This approach allows them to use lower doses of each drug, reducing the risk of side effects.
For minor procedures or mild anxiety, your vet might start with something gentler like trazodone or gabapentin. For more involved procedures, they might move up to acepromazine or even general anesthesia.
Fun fact: The dosage for acepromazine is typically 1-2 mg per 2.2 pounds of body weight. So a 50-pound dog might receive around 25 mg of the medication.
4. Monitoring During Sedation
This is where things get super serious. Your vet’s team will closely monitor your dog throughout the entire procedure. They’re watching for:
- Heart rate and rhythm (via ECG)
- Blood pressure
- Breathing rate
- Oxygen levels in the blood (pulse oximetry)
- Body temperature
- Carbon dioxide levels
- Overall response to sedation
“The surgery assistant is actually the most important monitor during an anesthetic procedure,” notes Dr. Ernest Ward. “This staff member is specifically trained to observe the patient throughout the entire procedure and can adjust anesthetic levels based on vital signs.”
Your dog will likely have several machines attached to them during sedation, including:
- An ECG to track heart rhythm
- A blood pressure monitor
- A pulse oximeter to measure oxygen levels
- A respirometer to count breaths
- A temperature probe
5. Recovery Process
After the procedure is complete, your vet will:
- Discontinue any anesthetic gases
- Possibly administer reversal agents for certain medications
- Continue monitoring until your dog is stable
- Maintain IV fluids to help flush out the medications
With today’s modern anesthetics, many of which can be reversed, your dog should be almost completely normal by discharge time. However, many dogs remain sleepy or tired for 12-24 hours after sedation. Your vet will provide specific instructions for at-home care during this recovery period.
What About At-Home Sedation Options?
Sometimes, you might need to sedate your dog at home – like during thunderstorms or for travel. While prescription sedatives from your vet are the safest option, there are some over-the-counter and natural alternatives that can help with mild anxiety:
- Benadryl – With your vet’s approval, you can give your dog 2 mg of Benadryl per 2.2 pounds of body weight every 4-6 hours
- Melatonin – A natural supplement that can help calm dogs
- Chamomile tea – Can be given as a tea or used to soak a dog treat
- Valerian root – A natural sedative (consult your vet for dosing)
But please remember – these are NOT replacements for proper veterinary sedation for medical procedures. They’re mainly for helping with mild anxiety.
The Risks of Sedation: What You Should Know
Like any medical procedure, sedation comes with some risks. The overall risk of anesthetic death in dogs is estimated at around 0.17% – that’s actually lower than the risk of driving to and from the hospital!
Potential risks include:
- Adverse reactions to sedatives (ranging from mild to severe)
- Aspiration pneumonia (if your dog isn’t properly fasted)
- Organ system failure (rare)
- Visual impairment (rare)
- Clotting disorders (rare)
- Seizures (rare)
This is why that pre-sedation examination is so critical. Your vet needs to identify any underlying conditions that might increase these risks.
Interesting Trends in Veterinary Sedation
The field of veterinary sedation is always evolving. Here are some current trends:
- Increasing popularity of natural remedies – Many pet owners are exploring options like CBD oil and calming supplements
- Rise in telemedicine for pets – This allows vets to consult remotely about sedation options
- Focus on behavior modification – Addressing the root cause of anxiety rather than just sedating
- Emphasis on pet safety – More thorough pre-sedation testing and monitoring
- Shift toward natural sedation methods – Using aromatherapy and massage as complementary approaches
Common Questions About Dog Sedation
Here are some questions I frequently get asked about dog sedation:
Q: Is it safe to sedate my dog?
A: When done by a veterinary professional with proper monitoring, sedation is very safe. The risks are actually lower than many everyday activities!
Q: How do I know if my dog needs to be sedated?
A: Signs include excessive panting, trembling, pacing, hiding, or aggression during stressful situations.
Q: Can I use human medications to sedate my dog?
A: No! Human medications can be toxic to dogs. Always use medications specifically prescribed by your veterinarian.
Q: How long will it take my dog to recover from sedation?
A: With modern sedatives, most dogs recover within 12-24 hours, though they may be groggy during this time.
Q: What are the signs of an overdose on sedatives?
A: Extreme lethargy, difficulty breathing, and loss of coordination. If you notice these, seek immediate veterinary care.
What To Expect During Your Dog’s Sedation Appointment
If your dog has an upcoming procedure requiring sedation, here’s what to expect:
- Pre-appointment instructions – Your vet will likely ask you to fast your dog (usually 8-12 hours for food, 2-4 hours for water)
- Morning of procedure – Arrive on time, bring your dog’s medical history if using a new vet
- Admission process – Sign consent forms, discuss risks and benefits
- The waiting game – Procedures typically take 30 minutes to several hours
- Discharge – You’ll receive detailed after-care instructions
Pro tip: Ask your vet if they can show you their monitoring equipment and explain their safety protocols. Most vets are happy to show you how they’ll keep your furry friend safe!
Final Thoughts
Veterinary sedation is both an art and a science. It requires careful assessment, precise dosing, and constant monitoring. The good news is that with modern medications and monitoring equipment, sedation is safer than ever before.
If your dog needs sedation, don’t panic! Talk to your vet about any concerns, ask questions, and trust that they have your dog’s best interests at heart. After all, they got into this profession because they love animals just as much as you do.
Have you had experiences with your dog being sedated at the vet? Did they handle it well? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments below!
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult with your veterinarian before giving your dog any medications or attempting any form of sedation.
