Diagnostic tests and surgical interventions can be delicate moments for our patients, especially when they are outside their usual environment and without the company of family or loved ones. This situation can lead to increased nervousness, complicating both the professionals' work and the patient's health status.
At IVeM, we understand this situation, which is why we have Quique Plaza, who is responsible for the anesthesia and analgesia service.
To ensure our patients' well-being and tailor the procedure to each individual, the chosen anesthetic protocol is based on various factors, such as the patient's condition, the type of intervention required, and any pre-existing conditions. In this regard, conducting a pre-anesthetic consultation is essential to thoroughly understand each patient who will undergo anesthesia.
At IVeM, we take pride in providing comprehensive care for our patients, and the pre-anesthetic consultation is a fundamental part of our approach. We are committed to delivering the highest quality of veterinary care, ensuring that every patient feels cared for, comfortable, and safe before, during, and after any medical or surgical procedure.
The presentation of liver diseases in animals can have very general and non-specific symptoms, making accurate diagnosis challenging. Some animals may experience liver problems during anesthesia, whether for diagnosis or surgery. There are also cases of animals with pre-existing chronic liver diseases that require anesthesia for other procedures. In these instances, evaluating liver function is crucial for determining the most appropriate anesthetic protocol.
It's important to note that animals with chronic liver diseases may have increased sensitivity to anesthetics due to heightened GABA receptor activity in the liver.
The liver plays vital organic functions, such as metabolizing lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and hormones, as well as regulating the blood and immune systems, digestion, and toxin elimination. In cases of liver dysfunction, these functions can be compromised, potentially resulting in low blood protein levels (hypoproteinemia) and low glucose levels (hypoglycemia).
Additionally, liver diseases can cause fluid accumulation in the abdomen (ascites), which affects respiratory capacity by decreasing lung volume and flexibility.
Evaluating the coagulation status in these patients is essential, as they often present alterations that increase the risk of bleeding.
