If your pet has to undergo surgery, they are more than likely going to be put under general anesthesia. With general anesthesia, your pet will not only lose sensation throughout their entire body, but they will lose consciousness as well. Here are a few things you need to understand about your pet going under general anesthesia.

#1 Your Pet Has To Be Examined First

Before your pet can be put under general anesthesia, your pet has to undergo a thorough physical examination to make sure that your pet is in good enough health to undergo the procedure. A thorough examination is also necessary in order to establish baseline data about your pet's overall health that will be used to monitor your pet's health while they are under general anesthesia.

Your pet will also have blood work done as well before undergoing general anesthesia. The blood work will be run to see if there are any underlying conditions the anthologist needs to know about before your pet's procedure. Your vet will do everything possible to determine your pet's health status before surgery.

#2 General Anesthetic Procedure Is Multi-Stepped

The general anesthetic procedure is a multi-stepped process. First, your pet will be given a sedative to help calm and relax their body. Then, a line will be placed so that your pet can be given an intravenous injection that will put them to sleep.

Once your pet is asleep, a breathing tube will be put down their trachea. This will allow the doctors to monitor your pet's breathing.

Finally, through the breathing tube, oxygen will be delivered to your pet along with anesthetic in the form of gas. This will keep your pet unconscious throughout the procedure.

#3 Your Pet Will Be Monitored Continuously

While your pet is under anesthetic, they will be monitored continuously. A blood pressure machine will be used to monitor your pet's blood pressure and make sure that their heart is pumping blood at right rate throughout the surgery. This machine should monitor your pet's heart rate as well.

Another monitor is used to keep track of your pet's respiratory rate and make sure that they are breathing at the correct rate. These veterinary patient monitors will be used to make sure that your pet stays healthy while they are undergoing surgery. A specific vet will use these monitors and respond to data from them in real time to adjust your pet's care.

Going under general anesthesia is a serious procedure. Your vet should thoroughly examine your pet before their surgery, and there should be a veterinary anesthesiologist present watching the monitors and providing care for your pet while the surgery is being performed to ensure that their heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate stay at healthy levels.