Anesthesia in Cats

There are different types of anesthesia used in cats.

If your cat needs to go under anesthesia for a procedure, you might be feeling concerned. Be sure to ask your veterinarian any specific questions you have, and we've also collected some basic information for you here.

When Does a Cat Need Anesthesia?

Anesthesia is medication that removes the sensation of pain. It might be local, which is injected into a small area of the body so something can be done there. Anesthesia could also be general, which induces unconsciousness and general nerve depression so a procedure can be done. Below are some various situations in which anesthesia might be necessary for a cat.

Local anesthetic might be required when:

General anesthetic might be required when:

What Are the Risks of Anesthesia for Cats?

Whenever any medication, including anesthetic, is introduced into a cat's body, the potential for adverse reactions exists. The main risks of anesthesia in cats include:

How Can Anesthesia Be Made Safer for Your Cat?

Some things that can increase the safety of general anesthesia in cats include:

Most of the time, anesthesia in cats goes well and doesn't result in any lasting negative effects.

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