Dog Anesthesia: What to Expect

Anesthesia is an important medical intervention that allows dogs to comfortably undergo surgeries and other medical procedures that they need to stay healthy. Because it is required for spays and neuters, nearly all dogs will experience anesthesia at least once during their lifetime. 

In this article, we will discuss types of anesthesia, their uses, and associated risks, as well as what pet parents can expect if their dog needs a procedure involving anesthesia.

What Is Anesthesia for Dogs?

Anesthesia is used in veterinary medicine to temporarily block pain and awareness during various medical procedures, including surgeries, biopsies, and dental cleanings. 

Anesthesia works by interfering with nerve signals that travel from the procedure area to the brain. Without these signals, the dog is unable to feel pain and other sensations, like heat, while under anesthesia.

Anesthesia can affect a dog’s entire body or certain regions, such as a leg, depending on the type of medication used and the procedure performed.

Types of Anesthesia

Three main types of anesthesia for dogs include general, local, and sedation. There are various differences between these, which include the following:

General anesthesia: When dogs undergo general anesthesia, they are temporarily unconscious. They are unable to feel pain, cannot move, and are not able to remember anything from the medical procedure. This type of anesthesia is used for surgeries and dental cleanings. It is given through a vein, via face mask, or through a tracheal tube. 

Local anesthesia: This type of anesthesia uses specific nerve blocks to prevent the dog from feeling pain in localized areas of the body, such as a leg or arm. The dog is still conscious overall but the procedure area has no sensations. This type of anesthesia is commonly done for biopsies and tooth extractions and may be used in conjunction with general anesthesia to improve patient comfort. Local anesthetics are applied topically or injected using a needle. 

Sedation: This type of anesthesia is used to relax and calm dogs during minor procedures. Dogs can still breathe on their own but may or may not be conscious depending on the medications used. This lighter form of anesthesia is commonly used for taking radiographs (x-rays) and for cleaning and stitching up wounds. It can be injected into the muscle or vein. 

Why Do Dogs Need Anesthesia?

There are various reasons a dog may need anesthesia. Veterinarians may recommend light sedation for highly energetic or reactive dogs who need simple procedures, such as vaccines or nail trims. Deeper sedation and general anesthesia are generally reserved for more complex surgical procedures.

Common procedures that anesthesia is used for include the following:

• Spays and neuters
• Dental cleanings
• Skin mass removals
• Laceration or wound repairs
• Cesarean section
• All major surgeries
• Radiographs (x-rays)
• Advanced imaging, such as CT scans or MRIs
• Endoscopy 

Benefits and Risks

Overall, anesthesia is a safe intervention. The mortality rate for dogs undergoing anesthesia is less than 1 percent (1). Anesthesia is beneficial because it allows dogs to undergo procedures necessary for good health and quality of life.  

Potential complications of anesthesia can include slowed breathing, slowed heart rate, decreased body temperature, low oxygenation, and low blood pressure. Although rare, death can occur. Dogs with underlying health conditions, such as heart disease or obesity, are at an increased risk for anesthetic complications. 

Senior dogs can be more sensitive to the effects of anesthesia, so veterinarians will carefully consider the type of medication and monitoring that is done for these patients. 

Other less common complications include an allergic reaction to the anesthetic medications or aspiration pneumonia, which can occur if a dog is not fasted prior to surgery. 

Pet parents should speak with their veterinarian about any concerns they may have about their pet undergoing anesthesia. Together, they can weigh anesthesia benefits and risks and come to an educated decision. 

Dog Anesthesia Cost

Anesthesia costs can vary greatly depending on the geographic location of the veterinarian as well as the type of anesthesia being used. Local blocks are the least expensive option and cost between $50-$100, while general anesthesia is the most expensive option that generally ranges from $150-$300. Lengthy procedures can cost slightly more.

Before and During Dog Anesthesia: What to Expect

Before anesthesia is given to a dog, the veterinarian completes a pre-operative check of the dog’s overall health. This is done with a thorough physical exam, bloodwork, and urinalysis to identify any concerns that may increase anesthesia risks, such as underlying health conditions. Pet parents should let the veterinarian know about any medications or supplements their dog is currently taking. 

Night Prior to Procedure: Once anesthesia is deemed necessary, the veterinarian will provide the pet parent with specific instructions for the night prior to the procedure, which includes fasting the dog. Fasting generally lasts around eight hours but may vary based on the size of the dog, their overall health, and the veterinarian’s recommendations.

Day of Procedure: On the day of the anesthetic procedure, dogs are given a light sedative and pain medication to relax them. This may cause vomiting and diarrhea. The top of the dog’s leg is lightly shaved and cleaned prior to an IV catheter being placed. The IV catheter allows fluids to be given to the dog during the procedure and access to a vein in the case of an emergency. Dogs may be offered supplemental oxygen through their nose. 

Start of Procedure: Once the veterinarian is ready to start the procedure, an anesthetic medication is injected into the vein and an endotracheal tube is placed into the throat so the dog can receive gas anesthesia and oxygen during the procedure. Dogs under anesthesia are closely monitored to ensure their vitals, such as blood pressure and heart and respiratory rates, stay as close to normal as possible. 

After Procedure: After the procedure is done, the gas anesthesia is turned off, the tube is taken out of the dog’s throat, and the dog is monitored until they recover. Some anesthetic medications can be reversed by giving the dog an injection into the muscle to promote a faster recovery.  

Dog After Anesthesia: Tips and Advice

Recovery from anesthesia differs for each individual dog and the type of anesthesia used. Anesthesia generally wears off and dogs return to normal within 12-24 hours. Senior dogs and those with underlying liver disease may recover more slowly. 

Side effects of anesthesia in dogs may include:

• Howling
• Whimpering 
• Crying
• Trembling or shivers
• Tiredness
• Nervousness 
• Decreased appetite 
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting

Most dogs will go home and sleep for the rest of the night following an anesthetic procedure. It is not unusual for dogs to eat less or refuse their dinner that night. 

Pet parents should closely monitor their dogs at home after the procedure. If a dog is extremely lethargic or has pale gums following surgery, contact an emergency veterinarian.  

Reference:

1. Redondo, José I et al. “Anaesthetic mortality in dogs: A worldwide analysis and risk assessment.” The Veterinary record vol. 195,1 (2024): e3604. doi:10.1002/vetr.3604