Hazards of Anesthesia and Their Remedies
Anaesthetic Practices (VSO-602)
Presented By:
22210904
22210905
22210906
22210907
October 22 - March 23
(Winter term)

Introduction
Anesthesia is an important aspect of veterinary
medicine, as it allows veterinarians to perform
procedures on animals that would otherwise be
difficult or impossible. However, anesthesia also
comes with certain risks and hazards that must be
managed in order to ensure the safety of the
animal.

Common Hazards of Anesthesia:
Cardiovascular depression
Respiratory depression
Hypothermia
Allergic reactions
Delayed recovery

Cardiovascular Depression:
Anesthesia can cause a decrease in heart rate
and blood pressure, which can be dangerous for
the animal.
Remedies for this include careful monitoring of
vital signs and the use of drugs to support cardiac
function.

Figure: Monitoring of
vital signs in
cardiovascular
depression

Respiratory Depression:
 Anesthesia can also cause a decrease in
breathing rate and depth, which can lead to
hypoxia and other complications.

Respiratory Depression:
Remedies for this include monitoring of
respiratory rate and oxygen saturation, and the
use of mechanical ventilation if necessary.

Hypothermia:
Anesthesia can cause a drop in body
temperature, which can lead to complications
such as delayed recovery and increased risk of
infection.
Remedies for this include maintaining a warm
environment and the use of warming devices such
as blankets and heating pads.

Hypothermia:
Figure: Managing Hypothermia in Anesthetized Patients

Allergic Reactions:
Some animals may be allergic to certain types of
anesthesia or other drugs used during the
procedure.

Allergic Reactions:
Remedies for this include careful monitoring
for signs of an allergic reaction and having
appropriate medications on hand to treat
anaphylaxis if it occurs.

Delayed recovery:
Some animals may take longer to recover from
anesthesia than others, which can lead to
complications such as respiratory distress and
aspiration pneumonia.
Remedies for this include careful monitoring of
the animal's vital signs and providing appropriate
supportive care during the recovery period.

Conclusion
Overall, managing the hazards of anesthesia
requires careful monitoring of the animal's vital
signs, proper selection and administration of
anesthetic drugs, and appropriate supportive care
during the recovery period. It is important for us
to have a thorough understanding of the risks and
benefits of anesthesia in order to ensure the safety
and well-being of their animal patients.