What Happens When Your Pet Goes Under Anaesthesia

If you’ve ever watched a film where someone drifts off to sleep as a mask is placed over their face, you might picture the same thing happening when pets are given anaesthesia.

Understandably, many pet parents feel worried when their furry friend needs a procedure. The idea of them being “put under” can sound mysterious, even a little scary.

At Vetcross, our goal is to explain what really happens so you know your pet is safe, cared for, and monitored closely every step of the way. Here are answers to the questions we’re asked most often.

Not exactly. The first step is usually a carefully selected sedative, given under the skin, into a muscle, or directly into a vein. This helps your pet feel calm, drowsy, and relaxed.

Once they’re settled, we give an intravenous anaesthetic drug that gently brings them into unconsciousness. At that point, we place a breathing tube into their airway. This keeps their airway protected and allows us to provide oxygen and anaesthetic gases if needed,  in a safe and controlled way.

Although it looks simple in the movies, most awake dogs and cats won’t tolerate the strong smell of anaesthetic gases. Forcing it can cause stress or struggling, which we always want to avoid.

Instead, we may briefly use a mask to deliver 100% oxygen before induction begins. This helps stabilise oxygen levels, but the actual process of going under is smoother and much safer with injectable medications first.

Once your pet is anaesthetised and their breathing tube is in place, there are two main ways to maintain anaesthesia:

• Anaesthetic gas with oxygen: A carefully measured amount flows through the tube to keep your pet comfortably asleep.
• Intravenous infusion: For some procedures, we use a steady drip of anaesthetic drugs directly into the vein. This allows us to fine-tune the depth of anaesthesia and often results in a smoother recovery.

Whichever method we choose, the dose is always tailored to your pet’s size, health, and the type of procedure.

Your pet’s safety is always our top priority. A dedicated veterinary nurse stays by their side the entire time, using specialised equipment to track:

• Heart rate and rhythm
• Breathing and oxygen levels
• Blood pressure
• Body temperature

This continuous monitoring means we can respond quickly to even small changes. Before any anaesthetic, we also recommend pre-anaesthetic blood tests to check organ function and help us plan the safest approach.

When the procedure is finished, the anaesthetic gas or infusion is stopped, and your pet is monitored as they wake up. Most pets are sleepy but comfortable, and we continue to observe them until they can swallow and lift their head.

During recovery, we keep them warm, check their pain relief, and ensure they are calm before sending them home. You’ll also receive clear aftercare instructions so you know exactly what to expect overnight.

No two anaesthetic plans are identical. We take into account your pet’s age, breed, medical history, and the type of procedure. For older pets or those with health conditions, we may adjust drug choices, reduce doses, or add extra monitoring for additional safety.

We know it takes a lot of trust to hand your pet over for surgery. That’s why our team is always happy to answer your questions, explain the process, and give you peace of mind.

While anaesthesia can sound daunting, modern veterinary medicine makes it a very safe and carefully managed process. If your pet has a procedure coming up, the Vetcross team is here to guide you through every step and reassure you along the way.