Anesthesia for Older Dogs: Is it Worth the Risk?

There is a widespread belief that senior dogs and anesthesia are a deadly combination and, therefore, not worth the risk.

I have been confronted with this issue on a few occasions, so I thought it was important to discuss it.

What are the risks of anesthesia for older dogs? Is your dog “too old” for surgery?

While it’s true that anesthesia in an old dog is riskier than in a younger one (that applies to other animals and people, too), I don’t believe a blanket “it’s too risky” is the right attitude.

Instead, it’s best to discuss the pros and cons with your trusted vet.

Here are a few essential factors to consider when discussing the risk of anesthesia in dogs as they get older:

Last Updated: June 30, 2024

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How Safe is Anesthesia for Older Dogs?

There are risks anytime a dog is sedated, regardless of their age. However, that risk is exponentially higher when a dog reaches their senior years.

Some of the dog anesthesia complications you may face include:

• Low blood pressure (hypotension)
• Low heart rate (bradycardia)
• Low blood oxygen (hypoxemia)
• Dangerously low body temperature (hypothermia)

To accommodate the fact that senior dogs are generally more sensitive to anesthesia, vets often reduce the dose considerably while focusing on careful supervision.

As veterinary medicine advances, procedures like sedation become safer.

This is the result of a better understanding of the potential complications and more advanced technology for monitoring your dog’s health during surgery.

Surgery and sedation are not without risk. However, the risk of anesthesia for older dogs today is much lower than in the past.

When is a Dog Too Old for Anesthesia?

No one age determines if anesthesia is too risky for your dog or not.

Instead, when considering anesthesia and older dogs, veterinarians must approach it on a case-by-case basis.

Before deciding, discuss your options with your veterinarian and what they recommend for your dog’s specific situation.

Here are some questions you should ask:

• Why is surgery being recommended?
• Are there other options?
• Is your dog in pain?
• Can the pain be managed safely and effectively without surgery?
• What is the anticipated outcome of surgery? What is the anticipated outcome without surgery?
• What can be done to reduce the risk (a gentler type of anesthesia, for example)?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions, even if they may seem silly to you. A good veterinarian will be more than willing to discuss your options and help you make the best decision for your dog.

Anesthesia for older dogs is a calculated risk. Before proceeding, everyone involved needs to be onboard and informed.

Common Side Effects of Sedation in Dogs

Fatal dog anesthesia complications are very uncommon, even in senior dogs.

However, there are more common minor side effects that your dog may experience as they are coming out of sedation.

Common side effects of anesthesia in dogs include feeling sluggish, acting disoriented, or showing little interest in their food.

These side effects usually only last a short time as your dog wakes up.

Other side effects that could signal trouble include:

• Excessive panting
• Restlessness
• Reluctance to move
• Uncharacteristic aggression or anxiety
• Excessive vocalization
• Vomiting

If you notice any of these side effects, or if your dog fails to recover from the common side effects mentioned above, contact your veterinarian.

What to Do if Your Dog is Acting Weird After Anesthesia

If you notice any odd or concerning senior dog anesthesia side effects following your dog’s surgery, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Don’t worry about seeming silly or overly concerned.

Your veterinarian would rather you reach out and discuss a possible problem than ignore it and potentially overlook a life-threatening complication.

Ways to Reduce the Risks of Anesthesia for Older Dogs

While I would love to tell you that you can completely remove the risk of anesthesia in dogs, it’s not possible.

But there are steps we can take to reduce the risk of trouble.

Here are a few ways you can reduce the risks of anesthesia for your senior dog:

Prioritize Preventative Care

Surgery can often be avoided by committing to routine preventative care throughout your dog’s life.

For example, dental procedures commonly cause surgery in older dogs.

To reduce the chance your dog will need these procedures, take steps to clean and maintain your dog’s teeth on a regular basis.

This may include brushing their teeth (if they will let you) or using dental health products like dental chews, dental toys, and water additives.

This won’t guarantee surgery will never be needed, but it will help prevent problems from developing.

The same approach can be used when considering other possible health problems, such as supplements to prevent joint issues and support a strong, healthy heart.

Keep Up with Routine Vet Visits

Your dog’s annual physical exam is an important step in preventing health complications that require surgery.

These appointments allow your vet to monitor your dog’s health and identify problems early.

Identifying trouble early means being able to address these problems with less invasive and risky solutions.

After all, the most effective way to reduce the risk of anesthesia in dogs is to avoid surgery entirely.

Maintain Good Vet Records

Medications and underlying medical conditions can greatly increase your dog’s risk when being sedated.

Your veterinarian is familiar with your dog’s medical history.

However, if you must go to an emergency clinic or another veterinarian for any reason, having updated and thorough vet records can make all the difference.

Keep a copy of your vet records at home, where you can quickly access them in an emergency.

When travelling, bring a copy of these records with you just in case something happens while you’re away from home.

Keep the Line of Communication Open with Your Vet

You and your veterinarian are a team – it will take both of your best efforts to give your dog the best possible care in their golden years.

While your vet will make the best decision possible based on the information they have, they don’t see your dog at home.

Pay careful attention to any signs of trouble and keep communication open with your vet.

This is especially important right before surgery. Any signs that something is “off” could indicate an underlying medical issue you weren’t aware of.

Medical conditions can significantly impact a dog’s reaction to sedation.

Following surgery, continue to watch for signs of trouble. Familiarize yourself with the common anesthesia side effects in dogs so you can recognize if something isn’t “right.”

Contact your vet if you notice anything concerning or out of the ordinary.

Ensure Your Dog is at a Healthy Weight

Obesity greatly increases the risk of complications when a dog is sedated.

This means keeping your dog at a healthy weight is the best way to set them up for success during surgery.

If your senior dog is currently overweight, consider reassessing their diet and increasing exercise and activity levels.

Talk to your veterinarian about how to help your dog safely lose weight.

On the other end of the spectrum, if your senior dog is significantly underweight, they may need to put on weight before they can have surgery safely.

Final Thoughts on Anesthesia and Older Dogs

Of course, anesthesia is risky even in the best of times and even riskier in old dogs. However, each case needs to be evaluated on an individual basis.

I assume you have a vet you have complete faith in, and if you don’t, I hope you find one.

Have an in-depth conversation (I’m a big asker of questions) about why the surgery is needed, whether there are alternatives, the benefits, the types of anesthesia, and how you can help the recovery process.

There are times when surgery is necessary. But knowing the risks and making your decision with your vet’s guidance will set you up for the best chance of success.