Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Morbidity and mortality associated with anesthetic management in small animal veterinary practice in Ontario.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association
- Year:
- 1998
- Authors:
- Dyson, D H et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical Studies · Canada
Plain-English summary
A study looked at the safety of anesthesia in dogs and cats at 66 veterinary clinics in Ontario during 1993. Out of over 16,000 pets, about 2.1% of dogs and 1.3% of cats experienced complications, with very few, 0.11% of dogs and 0.1% of cats, dying during or after anesthesia. Certain factors, like the use of specific drugs or the health status of the pet, were linked to higher risks of complications and even cardiac arrest. For example, dogs given xylazine had a much higher chance of complications, while the presence of a technician helped reduce risks. Overall, the study highlights important safety considerations for anesthesia in pets, which can help veterinarians improve their practices.
Abstract
During 1993, 66 small animal practices participated in a prospective study to evaluate the incidence and details of anesthetic-related morbidity and mortality. Considering a total of 8,087 dogs and 8,702 cats undergoing anesthesia, the incidences of complications were 2.1% and 1.3%, respectively. Death occurred in 0.11% and 0.1% of cases, respectively. Logistic regression models were developed and showed that a significant odds ratio (OR) of complications in dogs was associated with xylazine (OR, 91.5); heart rate monitoring (OR, 3.2); American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) 3, 4, or 5 classification (OR, 2.5); isoflurane (OR, 2.4); butorphanol (OR, 0.35); technician presence (OR, 0.26); acepromazine (OR, 0.24); ketamine (OR, 0.21); and mask induction (OR, 0.2). Complications in cats were associated with ASA 3, 4, or 5 classification (OR, 5.3); diazepam (OR, 4.1); intubation (OR, 1.7); butorphanol (OR, 0.45); and ketamine (OR, 0.17). Cardiac arrest in dogs was associated with xylazine (OR, 43.6) and ASA 3, 4, or 5 classification (OR, 7.1). Cardiac arrest in cats was associated with ASA 3, 4, or 5 classification (OR, 21.6) and technician presence (OR, 0.19). This paper reports the incidences of complications and cardiac arrest in small animal practice and identifies common complications and factors that may influence anesthetic morbidity and mortality. This information may be useful in comparing anesthetic management practices.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9657167/