Before & After sedation
Sedation Care for Pets
What to Expect Before and After Your Pet’s Sedation Appointment
Sedation for Pets: Before and After Care Guide
Sedation is often recommended for pets who are wriggly, anxious, or reactive, ensuring procedures can be performed safely and without unnecessary stress or injury to the pet or handlers. Common procedures that may require sedation include X-rays, grooming, nail clips, or more thorough physical examinations.
What is Sedation?
Sedation helps your pet relax by reducing awareness of their surroundings and temporarily decreasing muscle control. Unlike general anaesthesia, which causes complete unconsciousness, sedation is lighter and often does not require full airway support.
Injectable sedatives are fast-acting and, in some cases, reversible. Commonly used sedatives include acepromazine, butorphanol, diazepam, telazol, dexmedetomidine, and ketamine—often used in combination depending on your pet’s health, the procedure required, and the depth of sedation needed.
Pre-Sedation Instructions:
Booking Apointments
Book your pet’s appointment in advance and follow the specific instructions given by your vet team.
Feeding Your Pet
You may feed your pet dinner the night before, but no food should be given after midnight. Water should be available until 8 am on the morning of the procedure.
Blood Tests
Pre-anaesthetic blood testing may be recommended, especially for senior pets or those with known health conditions.
Physical Examination
Your vet will perform a thorough physical examination before administering sedation.
Post-Sedation Care:
- Keep your pet quiet and calm at home, as the effects of sedation may take several hours to wear off completely.
- Offer only small amounts of food and water on the night of the procedure.
- Follow all medication and dietary instructions provided by your veterinarian.
- Ensure your pet’s resting area is warm, clean, and safe.
- Return for any scheduled post-sedation checks or follow-up appointments.