The last time ‘Fluffy’ went to the vet, her owner noticed a small lump on her right front foot. The vet advised the owner to keep an eye on it and to bring her in if it grew or changed in any way. Within a month, the lump had doubled in size, and Fluffy was now licking the small nodule until it bled. Her vet recommended removing the lump and sending it to histology for analysis to determine what it is before it grows further. However, the idea of putting the fourteen-year-old Miniature Poodle under anesthesia was a frightening thought for her owner.
Thankfully, the vet reassured them that Fluffy did not need to be fully anesthetized. He could either remove the lump under local anesthesia, which would numb the area around the incision, or use a nerve or regional block to numb the entire limb by interrupting sensory nerve conductivity. The vet also recommended mild sedation to keep Fluffy calm throughout the short procedure and to help with any post-operative pain. Additionally, a Pre-Anesthetic Screen was advised to test her blood and urine for underlying conditions that could affect surgery. The tests would also assess her liver and kidney function, as these organs are put under significant stress when metabolizing anesthetic molecules during recovery.
The Surgery and Recovery Process
The surgery went entirely as planned. With Lidocaine numbing any pain around the surgical site, Fluffy barely noticed the vet removing the lump. Within a couple of hours after dropping her off, her owner was called to pick her up. Fluffy slept for most of the day but woke up around dinner time bright-eyed and busy-tailed. A few days later, the vet called with the lab results: the lump was cancerous, and a larger area of skin around the incision needed to be removed because the margins were not wide enough to be clear of the diseased tissue.
Fluffy was scheduled for another surgery the following day, with her owner following pre-operative instructions—no food for twelve hours before the procedure.
Before surgery, the vet checked Fluffy’s heart rate, listened to her breathing, felt her lymph nodes, and gave her a general examination to ensure she was healthy enough for surgery. X-rays of her chest and abdomen were taken to check if the cancer had metastasized to other organs, such as the lungs or liver. The results came back clear, so the vet decided to proceed with the surgery.
Fluffy was then given an injection of sedative under her skin (subcutaneously). There are three main types of injections: subcutaneous (sub-Q), intramuscular (IM), and intravascular (IV). Sub-Q injections are given below the skin and allow for slow absorption into the bloodstream. It usually takes about 20 minutes for the sedative to take effect, and these injections are often used in awake animals because they are the least painful. IM injections are given into the muscle and have a faster absorption rate but are more painful, so they are generally only used when the animal is sedated or anesthetized. IV injections are given directly into the vein and are used for instantaneous drug administration, especially with injectable anesthetics.
The pre-anesthetic sedative helped keep Fluffy calm and relaxed throughout the procedure. It also made the anesthetic process smoother, requiring less anesthetic to fully sedate her. The sedative also helped her wake up gently after the surgery, minimizing any involuntary movements or vocalizations that could cause stress.
While one veterinary assistant gently restrained Fluffy, another administered a short-acting anesthetic through her catheter. Common anesthetics used for this purpose include Pentothal (a barbiturate), Ketamine, Valium, and a newer drug called Propofol. In older or sickly dogs like Fluffy, Propofol is the preferred choice because it puts minimal strain on the liver and kidneys during metabolism. The amount administered was enough to temporarily anesthetize her, allowing the vet to place an endotracheal tube in her throat for oxygen and inhalant anesthetic, such as Halothane, Sevoflurane, or Isoflurane. The trach tube was important to protect the trachea and prevent aspiration pneumonia in case Fluffy vomited while under anesthesia.
Once the trach tube was in place, Fluffy was hooked up to a rebreather system that delivered the anesthetic and oxygen. The vet chose the best anesthetic based on her condition. Halothane is an older, easy-to-regulate drug with painkilling properties, while Isoflurane is metabolized more easily but requires additional pain management. Sevoflurane, a newer drug, causes less depression of heart rate and respiration but is more expensive, so many vets still rely on the other options.
As Fluffy was fully anesthetized, the surgical area was quickly prepped while she was hooked up to monitoring equipment. This included a Doppler to monitor her blood pressure, a Pulse Oximeter to check her heart rate and oxygen absorption, and a thermometer to track her temperature. The surgical table had a heated water pad to keep her warm, and additional hot water bottles were used to regulate her body temperature if necessary.
Throughout the surgery, Fluffy’s vital signs were continuously monitored. The level of anesthetic was adjusted to ensure she remained comfortable but not over-anesthetized. Since her surgery was not painful and involved little stimulation, the amount of anesthetic required was minimal. For more invasive surgeries, such as abdominal or orthopedic procedures, higher doses would be needed.
Although Fluffy was fourteen, she was in good health and at the ideal weight for her size, which contributed to her stable condition under anesthesia. Overweight animals often require more anesthetic and take longer to recover, as the drug is fat-soluble. Underlying health conditions can also impact recovery, which is why pre-anesthetic blood and urine tests are essential.
Fortunately, Fluffy’s recovery went smoothly, and she was allowed to go home just four hours after the surgery. Thanks to her good health and the excellent care she received, her recovery was quick and uneventful. The following day, she was insisting on her usual walk around the block and showed no discomfort from the bandage.
Veterinary anesthesia has come a long way, reducing risks significantly. With improved anesthetics, better monitoring equipment, and a deeper understanding of canine physiology, veterinarians are now able to perform life-saving surgeries on animals that would have been impossible just two decades ago. Anesthetic-related deaths in young, healthy animals are rare, and when they do occur, it’s often due to rare, undiagnosed conditions such as Feline Immunodeficiency Disease (FIV) in cats.
Two days later, the vet called again with more good news: all the diseased tissue had been removed, and Fluffy’s cancer was now gone. Her clean bill of health means she’s free from hospital visits until her next regular check-up in six months – a relief for both Fluffy and her owner!
