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Writer's pictureKrystal L. Beers

Anesthesia for Calming Pets?

In this news article, a veterinarian highly recommended administering anesthesia for pets that are particularly agitated before and during office visits, citing the experience of a particular cat. This thought deeply disturbs me personally.


My life was graced by the most terrific cat ever, Chanel. This kitty knew exactly what it meant when the mauve-colored box was procured from the closet... going out-of-doors (of which she was terrified) and a trip to the veterinarian. To say she was less than pleased with the prospect would be the understatement of the year! Just one whiff of the plastic carrier, or hearing the clang of its doors, and she ran to hide. Putting her into it was a two person job, preferably wearing gloves. The car ride was fraught with distressing meows, panting, dilated pupils, and sometimes spraying. Once at the vet, much of the same ensued, along with shedding lots of fur due to stress.


Clearly this was highly stressful for her. She did not, thankfully, become aggressive. But I would no more have considered accepting anesthesia to “calm” her than I would have accepted a 9-way combo vaccine! I find the idea simply ludicrous.


We know there are dangers of anesthesia for humans. All forms of anesthesia carry a risk of allergic reaction. That’s why before any planned surgery blood work is taken to make sure organ health is good, an in-depth conversation with the actual anesthesiologist takes place to answer all sorts of odd-sounding questions but ones that could mean the difference between life and death. Anesthetics have their place, certainly- to induce a semi-conscious or unconscious state to perform surgery. Conditions that pose a serious threat to life or quality of life may be worth the risk. To expose our companion animals to what is essentially the controlled dose of a toxic chemical without gathering any information as to the animal’s health beforehand just to be “safer” for the handlers, however, is outrageous.


“Studies in 2003 show that drugs used in general anesthesia kill brain cells in developing rats and mice. Though these studies require follow-up with human populations, some have theorized that the dangers of anesthesia used in children may be greater than previously estimated. One might not only risk death but also interference in brain development, and perhaps long term memory issues or learning disabilities.” “It has also been suggested that one of the possible dangers of anesthesia might be risky to the brain of healthy adults. Could anesthesia cause brain damage significant enough to affect memory, or to hasten conditions like Alzheimer’s disease? These are questions that have yet to be proven, and there are no statistics which can ultimately assess risk.” Source: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-dangers-of-anesthesia.htm.


Those questions and concerns should apply doubly to small animals. Are the loving caretakers of these precious lives being told the risks? Are they being offered any other alternatives? I have an idea, what about employing the amazing powers of Nature instead?

Essential oils, diffused or a drop placed on the pad of a paw or ear leather, have helped many a nervous, distressed, or even aggressive animal. We’ve seen them help an agitated dog dealing with hot spots as well as dogs in the hormonal heat of, well, a heat cycle.


How about those amazing Flower Remedies! Just before my kitty’s emergency trip to the allopathic veterinarian we gave her Bach Rescue Remedy. Although she was still stressed, at least it was far less than her norm, and we knew there would be no adverse effects to her health.

Now that’s what I call effective! And it also highlights the important role Animal Naturopaths play in guiding pet guardians toward safe, effective, and natural means of health support, even in the case of emergencies.

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