The Ark Veterinary Clinic
Feeding and treatment recommendations for dogs and cats prior to anesthesia
Healthy
Allow free access to water
Withhold food for 4-6 hours
Treatments & Medications: Chronic Oral Meds may be administered with small amounts (1-2 tbs) of wet food or pills coasted in an edible paste-like material
<8 weeks of age or <2 kg
Allow free access to water
Withhold food for no longer than 1-2 hours
Feed pate consistency wet food in the pre-op period
Monitor BG before, during, and after induction
Treatments & Medications: Chronic Oral Meds may be administered with small amounts (1-2 tbs) of wet food or pills coasted in an edible paste-like material
Other: Perform as the first case of the day
Diabetic
Allow free access to water
Withhold food for 2-4 hours
Feed pate consistency wet food in the pre-op period
Treatments & Medications:
Monitor BG before, during, and after
Chronic Oral Meds may be administered with small amounts (1-2 tbs) of wet food or pills coasted in an edible paste-like material
1/2 dose of insulin given 2-4 hours prior
Other: Perform as the first case of the day
History of, or at risk for, regurgitation
Withhold water for 6-12 hours
Withhold food for 2-4 hours
Food pate consistency wet food 1/2 meal 2-4 hours prior
Treatment & Medications:
Chronic Oral Meds may be administered with small amounts (1-2 tbs) of wet food or pills coasted in an edible paste-like material
Anti-emetics are valid addition to any anesthetic protocol for increased patient comfort by decreasing vomiting secondary to pre-anesthetic medications
Emergent
Withhold water ASAP
Treatment & Medications: Anti-emetics are valid addition to any anesthetic protocol for increased patient comfort by decreasing vomiting secondary to pre-anesthetic medications
Other: Stabilize patient prior to induction
Recommendations for Chronic Medications the Day of Anesthesia
Continue medications as scheduled:
Thyroid medication: thyroid supplement or Methimazole
Behavioral and pain medications: sudden withdrawal of these medications is not advised in most cases. If NSAID is being used (Like Carprofen or Meloxicam), we usually give these injections the day of the procedure due to the patient fasting.
Oral anxiolytics: to reduce fear and anxiety (Trazodone, Acepromazine, Gabapentin, etc)
Cardiac medications: Pimobendan, Furosemide
Anti-seizure medications: Phenobarbital, Potassium Bromide, Levetiracetam, Zonisamide
Antibiotics
Steroids: should never be abruptly stopped
Discontinue the day of anesthesia
Antihypertensive medication, especially ACE inhibitors: enalapril, benazepril
Anticoagulants: may need to be discontinued 2 wk prior to anesthesia based on the risk of bleeding
Administer based on specific recommendations to owner:
Insulin: A full dose should not be administered to fasted patients because of the risk of hypoglycemia. It is advised to give a half dose and has the owner bring their insulin with them when they drop off. We will check blood glucose throughout the day and give additional if needed, or supplement sugars if blood glucose falls low throughout the day.
