At InTown Veterinary Group, ensuring the safety and comfort of our patients is essential. Although general anesthesia is very safe, our veterinarians and support staff take a number of measures to make this procedure even less risky, as well as to alleviate pain.

Prior to anesthesia, the doctor will perform a complete physical examination. Depending on the age and the health of the patient, the veterinarian may recommend an electrocardiogram and blood pressure to assess heart function, as well as laboratory tests to determine the health of organs such as the liver and kidneys. The doctor will evaluate all pre-anesthetic tests and determine the best anesthetic drugs for the individual pet, as well as any special measures that would benefit that patient. In most cases, the veterinarian will use a combination of medications that include a sedative, several pain relievers and a general anesthetic.

An experienced veterinary technician monitors the patient during anesthesia, using a wide array of parameters. They observe the patient for mucous membrane color and quality of respirations, and use state-of-the-art monitoring equipment to measure levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, blood pressure, and activity of the heart. After the procedure, the technician monitors the patient closely to ensure a smooth, pain-free recovery.