Anesthesia
We understand that anesthesia can be worrisome and take every precaution to ensure your pet’s safety before, during, and after their procedure.
Scared of Anesthesia? So Are We
Here’s How We Keep Your Pet Safe
At Parkdale Animal Hospital, patient safety is our highest priority. We take anesthesia seriously and go above and beyond minimum standards to ensure every pet receives thoughtful, carefully monitored care at every stage of their procedure.
Ensuring Safety for Your Pet
In middle-aged to older pets, signs of disease are often silent or very subtle.
A pre-anesthetic blood test helps us:
- Detect hidden organ changes
- Identify anesthesia risks early
- Choose safer medications
This allows us to be proactive rather than reactive when planning your pet’s care.
Dedicated Medical Review
Your pet is supported by a dedicated medical team of three:
- Veterinarian
- Registered Veterinary Technician
- Veterinary Assistant
We review age, breed, medical history, medications, lifestyle, and any past anesthetic events to guide a safe, tailored plan.
Consistent Monitoring During Anesthesia
- Your pet is never left unattended.
- A Registered Veterinary Technician focuses solely on monitoring anesthesia.
- The veterinarian concentrates fully on the procedure.
- Changes are recognized and addressed immediately.
Post-Procedure Monitoring
Pets recover in our treatment area where the entire team maintains close supervision.
We monitor for:
- Easy wake-up
- Stable vital signs
- Effective pain control
- Early detection of concerns
Pets go home only when they are comfortable, stable, and recovering appropriately.
Parkdale Animal Hospital
Independly Owned • Thoughtful Care • No Shortcuts
Going Above and Beyond the Minimum
Going above and beyond the minimum — why bother, right?
At Parkdale Animal Hospital, we believe in the extra mile. By adding multiple layers of monitoring, we detect changes faster and respond quickly, ensuring your pet stays safe throughout anesthesia and recovery.
| What’s Monitored | Minimum Standard | What We Do at Parkdale | Why It Matters to Your Pet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anesthesia Supervision | Any trained team member under veterinarian supervision | Continuous monitoring by a Registered Veterinary Technician focused solely on your pet | Subtle changes are recognized and addressed immediately |
| Blood Oxygen Levels | Not required | Continuous oxygen monitoring | Confirms your pet receives enough oxygen at all times |
| Carbon Dioxide Levels | Not required | Continuous breathing effectiveness monitoring | Detects breathing changes before oxygen levels drop |
| Heart Electrical Activity (ECG) | Not required | Continuous heart rhythm monitoring | Allows early identification of abnormal heart rhythms |
| Blood Pressure Monitoring | Single systolic reading | Multiple measurements (systolic, diastolic, mean) for a complete picture | Helps us understand blood flow more accurately |