Veterinarian Blog

Dogs Deaths From Anesthesia At The Vets

by Dr. Chris

February 5, 2009 For dog and cat surgeries deaths related to anesthetic range between 0.1% and 0.24%. Compared to human anesthetic related deaths (0.02 and 0.05%) it is higher, but also in human medicine the level of diagnostic equipment is much greater.

Studies previous to 1998 found these factors related anesthetic deaths:

>Poor patient health
>Use of Xylazine
>Increased age


More recent studies indicate these factors related to an increased risk of small animal anesthetic related deaths:

>Decreased physical status
>Increased urgency and duration of procedure
>Increased patient age
>Decreased body weight

Remember anytime you or pet undergo anesthesia there is always a risk a death even for minor procedures. Every time there is a need for anesthesia for a procedure, its benefits should be weighed with the risks.

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