Risk Of Anesthesia In The Animal

As with humans, medical interventions with dogs, cats and the like are never completely risk-free. The risks and complications that can arise also depend on the condition of the animal.

No medical intervention is completely risk-free! Serious complications rarely occur during anesthesia or regional anesthesia. Of course, the frequency of serious complications depends on the patient’s underlying disease. Although the anesthetist can immediately identify any disturbances by constantly monitoring bodily functions, complications can still occur despite the greatest care, which in exceptional cases can be life-threatening or lead to permanent damage.

General Risks Of Anesthesia

• Allergic reactions and hypersensitivity can be triggered by medication or disinfectants and range from temporary mild symptoms (e.g. itching or skin rash) to respiratory and circulatory problems to the very rare, life-threatening allergic shock with cardiac, circulatory, respiratory, and organ failure requires intensive medical treatment and where permanent damage (brain damage, kidney failure) can occur.
• Bruising at the puncture site or around hypodermic needles and catheters may require treatment or even surgery.
  Infections in the area of ​​the puncture site and inflammation of veins can usually be treated well with medication. Very rarely, do these germs get into the bloodstream and cause blood poisoning or inflammation of organs (e.g. the inner lining of the heart).
• Administration of foreign blood or foreign blood components can lead to infections, lung failure, allergic reactions, blood clots, and fever.
• Skin, soft tissue, and nerve damage (syringe abscess, tissue death, nerve, and vein irritation, bruising, inflammation) resulting from injections. Despite correct positioning, nerves are very rarely damaged by pressure or strain during the operation. However, this possible damage usually resolves itself after some time or is easily treatable. In some cases, however, long-lasting or very rarely permanent damage (e.g. pain, paralysis, blindness) can occur.
• Thrombosis: Very rarely, blood clots form, which can be carried through the bloodstream and block a vessel (e.g. pulmonary embolism). This can result in organ damage with a fatal outcome.

Special Risks And Side Effects Of Anesthesia

• Aspiration: This refers to the inhalation of regurgitated/vomited stomach contents into the lungs with possible consequences such as pneumonia, lung abscess, permanent lung damage, or acute lung failure. This danger exists above all if you do not observe the rules of conduct before anesthetizing your protégé.
• Nausea, and vomiting: These side effects can occur as a result of the administration of anesthetics and painkillers, but are very rare in animals.
• Difficulty swallowing or hoarseness: Shortness of breath and hoarseness can occur as a result of inserting the ventilation hose or laryngeal mask, injuries to the throat, jaw, larynx, trachea, or vocal cords, and these usually do not require treatment. Vocal cord damage with persistent hoarseness is very rare.
• Damage to teeth: In the context of securing the airway, damage to teeth and even tooth loss can occur. This complication is also very rare in animals.
• Respiratory disorders and spasms of the larynx or bronchial muscles: If your pet has healthy lungs, respiratory disorders are rare. Nevertheless, when inserting or removing the ventilation hose or the laryngeal mask, a spasm of the bronchi or the glottis can occur. After operations in the head and neck area, breathing disorders due to bleeding or swelling are possible. These critical situations require additional medication and measures.
• Heart and circulatory disorders: Drugs used in anesthesia almost all affect the cardiovascular system. It can lead to a drop in blood pressure, a slow heartbeat, or arrhythmia. Previous diseases of the cardiovascular system increase the risk of dogs and cats dying from an anesthetic complication enormously.
• Malignant hyperthermia: Very rarely, the body temperature rises extremely as a result of a massive, life-threatening metabolic disorder. This can lead to permanent damage to important organs (e.g. brain, kidneys) and requires immediate drug and intensive care treatment.

Special Risks And Side Effects Of Regional Anesthesia:

• Nerve, vessel, and tissue injuries: Very rarely, temporary movement disorders and even permanent paralysis can occur after regional anesthesia caused by bruising, direct nerve damage, or subsequent inflammation.
• Side effects of medication: Seizures, cardiovascular failure, loss of consciousness, and respiratory arrest after regional anesthesia occur very rarely.
• Disorders of emptying the bladder: Disorders of emptying the bladder can be treated by inserting a urinary catheter (preventively) or by manually massaging the bladder. In rare cases, this can lead to an extended hospital stay in order to spare you inconveniences at home.