Sedation may be employed for a number of minor procedures or in a compromised patient where general anaesthesia would be unsafe. Pets have varying responses to tranquilizers, and so we start with a low or conservative dose of the sedative agent until we know your pet. We may pull quills, take X-rays or pluck and flush ears with sedation if the pet resents the procedure or will be experiencing anxiety or pain. We also use sedative and a local anaesthetic for removal of some skin tumors. In some cases, owners request tranquilizers for thunder storm anxiety or travelling. We need to have a current file on your pet and an up to date knowledge of its health and weight before we can prescribe a sedative safely. Different pets take different times to metabolize the tranquilizer and therefore we recommend not leaving the pet alone immediately after returning home. Usually they will return to normal activity by the next day, and if this is not the case the clinic should be notified.
