cats and anesthesia

Hello.

I had a quick question about how cats react to anesthesia - what do they do? Are they like people - groggy, sometimes get sick, etc? Teddy needs to have a dental cleaning next month and I know a ton about human anesthesia, but not about cats.

Thanks!

Jen

Jen, you might want to discuss this with your vet prior to the procedure, but many vets are now recommending the use of gas-only anesthesias for cats. Isoflurane and/or Sevoflurane are, IMO best.

Talk with your vet and get the answers you need from him - then we can discuss what he said with you.

~gf~

Yes they are the same as people. You should do the pre-anesthetic blood work before hand, so they know what type of anesthesia to use on your baby!

Pre-op bloodwork is all well and good and believe me, I am a supporter of having it drawn, however, it doesn't always tell us which cats will respond badly to the injectable drugs like Ketamine. I dislike Ketamine. I don't think it is safe for use on cats. When my cats go to the vet for any procedure where they must be anesthesized, my instructions are always "Gas induction with Iso/Sevo only, Iso/Sevo continuous with oxygen and IV fluids with pain relief added on board. NO INJECTABLES." I have never lost a cat on the operating table due to anesthesia issues with these instructions. Where injectable Ketamine was used, I have lost cats, even having pre-op bloodwork drawn.

~gf~

Originally Posted by gayef

Pre-op bloodwork is all well and good and believe me, I am a supporter of having it drawn, however, it doesn't always tell us which cats will respond badly to the injectable drugs like Ketamine. I dislike Ketamine. I don't think it is safe for use on cats. When my cats go to the vet for any procedure where they must be anesthesized, my instructions are always "Gas induction with Iso/Sevo only, Iso/Sevo continuous with oxygen and IV fluids with pain relief added on board. NO INJECTABLES." I have never lost a cat on the operating table due to anesthesia issues with these instructions. Where injectable Ketamine was used, I have lost cats, even having pre-op bloodwork drawn.

~gf~

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Good to know - thanks for the advice!
It's funny, my father is an anesthesiologist who studies Sevo... funny that the same is used in cats!

I put my cat Max down last year and they gave him a painkilling shot first which makes him relaxed and then the sleeping shot to make him slowly be put to sleep. Most procedures for cats are very humane. You have a choice to be with your pet or not when they put them to sleep. I never do as I couldn't bare to see it happen. They just brought Max out to me in the box I brought with me for him to be buried in. I do it myself always. I'm an expert at burying pets as I did three cats in the past couple of years. I do prayers over their graves and put roses on top. Every day I do this for a week.

If you are still unsure talk to your vet about what kind of procedure they do. Always educate yourself and know what kind of treatments your vet does as he/she is the one who cares for your cat.

Originally Posted by shambelle

Good to know - thanks for the advice!

It's funny, my father is an anesthesiologist who studies Sevo... funny that the same is used in cats!

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It has been my experience that cats coming out of injectable anesthesia are indeed groggy and quite unstable for about 24 hours. I do not find this to be the case with gas. Most of the time, as soon as the gas is turned off, they start to come right around and are fully awake in moments.

Additionally, many cats seem to have easily compromised livers and kidneys. The injectable drugs metabolize in those organs whereas the gas does not. I just like it better.

While cats and humans do differ, the general procedures of anesthesia and surgery are about the same. You might ask him about the anesthesia orders I give to my vets - see if he concurs.

Originally Posted by gayef

It has been my experience that cats coming out of injectable anesthesia are indeed groggy and quite unstable for about 24 hours. I do not find this to be the case with gas. Most of the time, as soon as the gas is turned off, they start to come right around and are fully awake in moments.

Additionally, many cats seem to have easily compromised livers and kidneys. The injectable drugs metabolize in those organs whereas the gas does not. I just like it better.

While cats and humans do differ, the general procedures of anesthesia and surgery are about the same. You might ask him about the anesthesia orders I give to my vets - see if he concurs.

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Halen had gas today for his surgery..i made sure of it. and hes bouncing around like a jumping bean....

Originally Posted by ScamperFarms

Halen had gas today for his surgery..i made sure of it. and hes bouncing around like a jumping bean....

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*smile* Gotta love 'em! Give him a couple of good, old-fashioned chin scritches from me, won't you?

~gf~

Originally Posted by gayef

*smile* Gotta love 'em! Give him a couple of good, old-fashioned chin scritches from me, won't you?

~gf~

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I sure with Gaye I sure will. I am so happy to have him home. I know having him done was the best thing. I was just a worried momma as always.But hes just fine. but of course i was pretty admit about the kind of anthestia he got too.

And i am going to be even MORE admit when Callie goes..since she will be getting spayed, and her leg taken on the same day.