The process is very similar to what is done in human medicine and takes place in 5 steps:

1. Pre-anesthetic evaluation: Before any anesthesia, the veterinarian performs a physical examination and blood tests to adapt the protocol to the animal’s health status and maximize its safety. This analysis notably allows for the evaluation of the functioning of important organs, such as the liver and kidneys. 
2. Medication administration: A two-step premedication, at home and then at the clinic, helps relax the animal and ensures a safe transition to sleep.
3. Going to sleep: The animal is quickly put to sleep by intravenous injection to allow for its intubation and the administration of anesthetic gases.
4. Maintenance: During the procedure, anesthesia and pain are continuously maintained and adjusted using respiratory gases and IV fluids.
5. Waking up: As soon as the surgery is finished, the gas is turned off. The animal then breathes pure oxygen and begins to wake up gradually, always under the supervision of the medical team, in a warm environment.

Throughout this artificial sleep, monitors continuously measure its heart rate, breathing, temperature, and blood oxygen levels to guarantee maximum safety. Once your pet is fully awake, a small meal is offered on site.

What factors influence anesthetic risk?

As with humans, no medical procedure is entirely risk-free. However, several factors influence the safety of anesthesia:

• The animal’s age;
• Its general health status;
• The presence of heart, kidney, or other diseases;
• The urgent or non-urgent nature of the procedure;
• The complexity of the procedure.

Healthy animals generally have a very low anesthetic risk.

Furthermore, contrary to popular belief, the effects of anesthesia do not compound over time when performed appropriately and the animal recovers normally between procedures. Thus, an animal that requires multiple anesthesias throughout its life — for example, for regular dental care, diagnostic tests, or multiple surgical interventions — does not accumulate risk simply due to the number of anesthesias received. The patient’s current health status remains the most important factor when planning anesthesia.

Why is fasting necessary?

The fasting rule is a vital safety matter to avoid serious complications.

Here is what happens in your pet’s body when it is deeply asleep:

• Relaxation of the stomach “valve”: Anesthesia relaxes all muscles. This includes the sphincter located between the esophagus and the stomach. If it is relaxed, the stomach is no longer tightly sealed.
• Loss of protective reflexes: When awake, an animal (like a human) coughs or swallows if something gets stuck in its throat. Under anesthesia, these natural reflexes are temporarily disabled.

The danger of a full stomach: If the stomach contains food or a lot of water, this content can travel back up into the throat during surgery (regurgitation). Since the animal cannot cough to protect itself, this food mixed with stomach acid risks slipping into the trachea — the “wrong pipe” — and falling directly into the lungs.

This can cause aspiration pneumonia, a very serious respiratory infection that is difficult to treat and potentially fatal.

Fasting the animal ensures that its stomach is empty when put to sleep, which eliminates this risk.

As a general rule, you are asked to remove the food bowl 8 to 12 hours before the procedure. Water can often be left available a little longer, but it is crucial to always follow your veterinarian’s exact instructions, as they may vary depending on the age, species (a puppy or a rabbit does not fast in the same way), and health of your pet.

Safe anesthesia adapted to your pet

Each patient is unique. This is why the anesthetic protocol is personalized according to its age, health status, and the planned procedure.

At Vet & Cie, we emphasize pre-anesthetic evaluation, pain control, continuous monitoring, and recovery care to offer your companion the best possible safety conditions.

Do not hesitate to discuss your concerns with our team. We will be happy to answer your questions and explain the measures in place to ensure your pet’s well-being.

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