Anesthetizing an old dog — is it too much of a risk?

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Many owners leave their old dog's rotting teeth or growing paws untreated because they fear the “heart can't handle anesthesia.”

This is a common but unfortunate fallacy. In reality age itself is neither a disease nor an obstacle to anesthesia.

Which is more dangerous: disease or anesthesia?

As veterinarians, we have to weigh the risks:

• Risk A (Anesthesia): When done correctly and controlled, the risk of modern anesthesia is low, even in the elderly.
• Risk B (Non-treatment): For example, stomatitis spreads bacteria to the heart and kidneys every day. Chronic pain takes away the zest for life.

Most often, the risk of untreated disease is many times that of controlled anesthesia.

How do we make anesthesia for an elderly person safe?

Veterinary Hospital Sacrum in Vantaa, we take special care with seniors (“Geriatric Anesthesia Protocol”):

1. Mandatory blood tests: Before anesthesia, we always check the functioning of the liver and kidneys. If we find fault, we modify the medication and give intravenous hydration to support the body.
2. Heart Listening/Ultra: If a murmur is heard in the heart, then, if necessary, we examine it with ultrasound before the procedure.
3. Lighter substances: For the elderly, we use more gentle combinations of drugs that put minimal strain on the heart.
4. Supporting blood pressure: We keep blood pressure stable during the procedure with fluid therapy.

Do not allow the dog to suffer pain due to age. A well-treated senior often recovers from anesthesia as early as the same night and lives pain-free for longer.

📍 Veterinary Hospital Sacrum — Porttisuontie 13, Vantaa