A survey of anaesthesia in small animal practice: AVA/BSAVA report

Abstract

Over 150 veterinary surgeons from 53 small animal practices collaborated in a prospective survey of anaesthetic accidents and emergencies by recording all anaesthetics administered and detailing the problems they encountered. From these records it is estimated that 1 in 679 of the healthy dogs and cats died primarily as a result of anaesthesia; many of these deaths apparently occurred at a time when the animal was not under close observation. Anaesthetics involving the use of xylazine seemed to result in an exceptionally high mortality rate. Complications following endotracheal intubation appeared to be associated with several deaths in cats. The death rate in cats and dogs with pathological but not immediately life-threatening conditions was estimated to be 1 in 31. There was no evidence to suggest that some breeds (with the possible exception of the Pekingese) were more likely than others to die under anaesthesia.