Just as humans are generally put under anesthesia before surgery or an invasive medical procedure, so are cats. There are a number of medications that a vet can administer in order to make a cat unconscious and prevent them from feeling pain during such procedures. Here are the key things you need to know before your cat undergoes anesthesia.
Your cat will need to fast.
If there is food in your cat's stomach when he or she is put under anesthesia, there is a chance the cat could vomit and choke. So, for this reason, vets generally recommend that you fast your cat before they're put under anesthetic. In most cases, you can give them their last meal the night before surgery, and then make sure they fast for at least 12 hours beforehand. If you have an indoor-outdoor cat, you should keep them inside the night before anesthesia to ensure they don't eat anything.
Your vet will evaluate your pet's health prior to administering the anesthetic.
Before your vet gives your cat the anesthesia, they will listen to their heart and lungs, take their blood pressure, measure their respiratory rate, and otherwise evaluate their overall health. They'll only administer the anesthesia if they feel the cat is healthy enough to tolerate it. Applying these restrictions means your cat's risk of serious side effects to the anesthesia is quite low. If your vet has reason to suspect any serious side effects may arise, they will generally not put the pet under anesthesia. They may instead recommend a less-invasive procedure that can be done with sedatives only.
Your cat will need to be observed afterward.
Most vets like to keep cats for observation for at least a few hours after anesthesia. Some cats are really confused and occasionally even aggressive when they wake up, so it is safest for them to do this under a vet's supervision. Once the cat is fully awake, which can take a few hours, then the vet will likely clear them to go home — unless there is another surgical reason to keep observing them for longer.
Now that you know a little more about anesthesia for cats, you should be prepared if you need to take your cat in to the vet for a procedure requiring anesthesia. Don't hesitate to ask your vet any other questions you have; part of their job is keeping you informed.
For more information on pet anesthesia, contact a professional near you.
Share