Extra information about Anaesthesia and Analgesia
Yes, it is crucial that your pet lies absolutely still in the scanner as any movement would result in having to repeat the image acquisition. An average MRI scan lasts for 45 min, which is obviously much too long for any animal to lie motionless.
Although the anaesthetists are rarely involved in initial consultations with pet owners, we spend most of our day in direct contact with animals before, during, and after anaesthesia, ensuring the highest standard of care However, should you wish to talk to an anaesthetist, please do not hesitate to ask. We will be happy to meet you and discuss your concerns.
We develop a pain control plan prior to the surgical procedure. When your pet returns to the ward after surgery, he or she will be assessed and the pain control protocol will be started. From that point onwards, each patient is assessed every 2 hours. If pain control is required beyond 24 hours, an anaesthetist will examine the ward records and decide the level of ongoing pain management required. In the majority of cases, patients are discharged only when we are confident that any residual pain can be controlled my mild generic pain killers or anti-inflammatory drugs.
Administration of sedatives and anaesthetics in animals with a full stomach presents an increased risk of complications. The drugs used may affect the function of the digestive system and we would prefer to keep any risk to an absolute minimum.