Cats need anesthesia when they require surgery. It may be scary thinking about your furry friend undergoing this treatment. There have been many advances in anesthesia to keep your kitty safe. Here are a few things to remember before your cat’s surgery.

What is anesthesia?

Anesthesia is a drug that can suppress your cat’s nerve response to pain. During this process, the cat is unconscious and unable to move. This keeps the animal safe when performing a surgery. Anesthesia can be localized to one area or administered to the whole body.

Are there any risks?

Any type of surgery has its own risks. You should keep in mind that your cat is under professional care. If a problem does happen, your veterinarian is trained to deal with the situation. Cats can have a reaction to anesthesia. Most of these reactions are mild. You can reduce your cat’s risk during surgery. Your cat should fast before any procedure. If there is food in the stomach, it can increase the chance of vomiting during the process. This can result in a condition called aspiration pneumonia and can be life-threatening. Your veterinarian should have your cat’s full history before performing surgery. This information can help determine if there will be any problems during the procedure. In some cases, your veterinarian may recommend diagnostic tests before anesthesia and surgery.

Is my cat monitored during surgery?

Your cat will be closely monitored during the surgery. A veterinary technician will monitor your cat’s vital signs. An electrocardiogram (ECG) can detect any issues with the heart rate. Body temperature is also monitored as well. Your cat’s blood pressure level is observed for any other cardiovascular problems. A pulse oximetry may be used to alert the vet to your cat’s oxygen levels.

Your cat will be handled by trained professionals. Surgery can be scary, but cat anesthesia treatments have advanced in the past few years. Your kitty will get the best care in the hands of a trained and licensed veterinarian.