Some procedures or diagnostics may not require full general anesthesia, but still call for your pet to be calm, relaxed, or lightly asleep. In these cases, we use sedation, which can range from mild to deeper levels depending on the needs of the procedure and your pet’s individual temperament.
Light sedation allows your pet to remain relaxed but responsive, while deeper sedation—similar to the “twilight” sedation used in human medicine for procedures like colonoscopies or wisdom teeth extractions—puts your pet in a sleep-like state. They won’t be fully unconscious or intubated like with general anesthesia, but they won’t feel pain or be aware of what’s happening during the procedure.
Regardless of the level of sedation, your pet is closely monitored by a dedicated technician or assistant throughout the entire process. We track vital signs—including heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and temperature—to ensure your pet remains safe and comfortable from start through recovery.
Sedation allows us to perform necessary procedures with minimal stress and maximum safety. If you have any questions about whether your pet will need sedation and what level is appropriate, we’re always happy to discuss it with you.
