General anesthesia is required for animals not only for complex surgical operations. Some medical and even cosmetic procedures are easier to carry out when the animal is immobilized and does not feel the touch of the veterinarian. The process of recovering from anesthesia is quite individual and largely depends on the type of anesthesia, the age and condition of the pet. If the operated animal is not in the veterinary clinic under the supervision of specialists, the owners will have to pay increased attention to the pet in order to facilitate his recovery from the forced sleep.
The first hours after anesthesia
Inhalation anesthesia is easier to tolerate - usually the animal comes to its senses within a few minutes, and after an hour or two it is able to get up and even move, depending on the severity of the operation. After total intravenous anesthesia, it takes about a day for the pet to fully recover. Some types of intravenous anesthesia, used for simple operations, are short-acting and provide a quick awakening of the animal - within an hour or two.
In the first hours after the operation, the animal needs constant observation, rest and warmth. If there are other pets or small children in the house, it is better to isolate the patient. You can check if everything is in order with the animal by opening its eyelids and shining a small flashlight into the eye. If the pupil is constricted, the process of recovery from anesthesia is normal, if it remains unchanged, the animal should be immediately taken to the veterinarian.
Veterinarians often advise taking the operated animal from the clinic not immediately, but after two to four hours, in order to ensure proper care and supervision in the first, most difficult hours after the operation.
Complete recovery from anesthesia
At home, it is best to lay the animal on the floor closer to the heat source, spreading something soft - do not place it on a sofa or armchair, otherwise, when motor function begins to recover, the pet may fall from a height and be severely injured. A small animal (ferret, rabbit, cat) can be put in a spacious box or returned to its usual cage or house if its relatives are not there. If possible, it is better to use a disposable diaper as a bedding - after anesthesia, involuntary urination, vomiting, salivation may occur.
Coordination in an animal emerging from anesthesia can be disrupted for a long time - staggering when walking, falling, trying to crawl or run are often observed. Move the fallen animal back to the bedding, pat and calm down.
If the pet's condition raises concerns, it is better to play it safe and show it to the doctor. Snoring and puffing is common when coming out of anesthesia due to relaxation of the palate and pharynx, but snoring should be distinguished from wheezing caused by inhalation of vomit or respiratory failure. Lethargy, drowsiness can persist for a day or longer after the operation.
How to help your pet
Cover your pet - coming out of anesthesia, animals often freeze. You can massage his paws if they are cold. If your pet's eyes and mouth are open, in order to avoid drying out of the mucous membranes, the tongue should be moistened with damp cotton wool, sterile saline can be dripped into the eyes from a pipette.
You can drink the animal 4-6 hours after waking up. If your pet cannot drink on its own, try using a syringe without a needle. It is allowed to feed not earlier than after 10-12 hours, it is better if the pet goes hungry for a day - this will not harm his health.
