How we assess, step by step, whether a patient can safely receive anaesthesia: from registering the procedure, through the questionnaire, examination and ASA class, to the decision, the anaesthetic plan and the check on the day of the procedure.
The system creates a “pre-anaesthetic assessment” case linked to the patient, the owner, the planned procedure and the date.
Reception confirms the owner's details, species, breed, sex, age, body weight, microchip and contact details for the day of the procedure.
The owner completes the form electronically or at reception.
The form covers, among other things, current symptoms, chronic diseases, previous anaesthetics and adverse reactions, medicines being taken, supplements, allergies, diet, vomiting, coughing, fainting, problems with urination and defaecation, and information about the last meal and water.
The veterinarian or technician reviews previous visits, diagnoses, hospital stays, laboratory results, the history of procedures and earlier anaesthetic records.
The system flags the following with alerts:
The veterinarian carries out and records a full examination of the patient: level of consciousness and behaviour, body weight, body condition score (BCS), temperature, pulse, respiration, mucous membranes, capillary refill time (CRT), auscultation of the heart and lungs, hydration, mouth, lymph nodes, abdomen, skin, and a neurological or orthopaedic assessment where indicated.
The level of stress and whether the patient can be handled safely are also noted. This may influence the choice of premedication and how the admission is organised.
The veterinarian assigns an ASA class and describes the risks specific to the patient. The ASA status should be assigned after analysing the history, the clinical examination and any additional tests.
The veterinarian chooses a set of tests according to age, species, the planned procedure, ASA class and any abnormalities found.
Examples of orders: complete blood count, biochemistry, electrolytes, glucose, urinalysis, arterial blood pressure, coagulation profile, ECG, chest X-ray, echocardiography or ultrasound.
If heart or respiratory disease is suspected, further imaging and an ECG or echocardiography may be indicated.
In geriatric patients, assessment of the kidneys and heart function is of particular importance, and in cardiovascular or respiratory disease pre-oxygenation may be considered.
The decision should include the reasoning, the risk assessment, the actions required and the person responsible for carrying them out.
The veterinarian specifies the purpose of the procedure, the expected duration, and the plan for premedication, analgesia, induction, maintenance, fluid therapy, airway protection, monitoring and recovery.
The plan names the people responsible: the veterinarian performing the procedure, the person inducing anaesthesia, the person monitoring, and the person supervising recovery.
The owner receives instructions for preparing the patient, including the admission time, fasting rules, information on giving medicines and the practice's contact details.
For healthy dogs and cats, food is usually withheld for at least 6 hours before anaesthesia, whereas water should not be routinely restricted until shortly before premedication; the rules may differ for patients at particular risk.
The veterinarian discusses with the owner the scope of the procedure, the benefits, the risks, possible complications, alternatives, planned tests and approximate costs.
The owner signs consent for the anaesthetic, the procedure and any emergency measures, within the limits set out in the form.
The system records the date, the time, the person who provided the information, the version of the form and the signature.
Staff confirm the patient's identity, current body weight, fasting status, the last medicines given, any change in symptoms and that the consent is complete.
The veterinarian repeats the key clinical assessment, especially when more time has passed since the previous examination or the patient's condition has changed.
The system creates a “pre-anaesthetic assessment” case linked to the patient, the owner, the planned procedure and the date.
Reception confirms the owner's details, species, breed, sex, age, body weight, microchip and contact details for the day of the procedure.
The owner completes the form electronically or at reception.
The form covers, among other things, current symptoms, chronic diseases, previous anaesthetics and adverse reactions, medicines being taken, supplements, allergies, diet, vomiting, coughing, fainting, problems with urination and defaecation, and information about the last meal and water.
The veterinarian or technician reviews previous visits, diagnoses, hospital stays, laboratory results, the history of procedures and earlier anaesthetic records.
The system flags the following with alerts:
The veterinarian carries out and records a full examination of the patient: level of consciousness and behaviour, body weight, body condition score (BCS), temperature, pulse, respiration, mucous membranes, capillary refill time (CRT), auscultation of the heart and lungs, hydration, mouth, lymph nodes, abdomen, skin, and a neurological or orthopaedic assessment where indicated.
The level of stress and whether the patient can be handled safely are also noted. This may influence the choice of premedication and how the admission is organised.
The veterinarian assigns an ASA class and describes the risks specific to the patient. The ASA status should be assigned after analysing the history, the clinical examination and any additional tests.
The veterinarian chooses a set of tests according to age, species, the planned procedure, ASA class and any abnormalities found.
Examples of orders: complete blood count, biochemistry, electrolytes, glucose, urinalysis, arterial blood pressure, coagulation profile, ECG, chest X-ray, echocardiography or ultrasound.
If heart or respiratory disease is suspected, further imaging and an ECG or echocardiography may be indicated.
In geriatric patients, assessment of the kidneys and heart function is of particular importance, and in cardiovascular or respiratory disease pre-oxygenation may be considered.
The decision should include the reasoning, the risk assessment, the actions required and the person responsible for carrying them out.
The veterinarian specifies the purpose of the procedure, the expected duration, and the plan for premedication, analgesia, induction, maintenance, fluid therapy, airway protection, monitoring and recovery.
The plan names the people responsible: the veterinarian performing the procedure, the person inducing anaesthesia, the person monitoring, and the person supervising recovery.
The owner receives instructions for preparing the patient, including the admission time, fasting rules, information on giving medicines and the practice's contact details.
For healthy dogs and cats, food is usually withheld for at least 6 hours before anaesthesia, whereas water should not be routinely restricted until shortly before premedication; the rules may differ for patients at particular risk.
The veterinarian discusses with the owner the scope of the procedure, the benefits, the risks, possible complications, alternatives, planned tests and approximate costs.
The owner signs consent for the anaesthetic, the procedure and any emergency measures, within the limits set out in the form.
The system records the date, the time, the person who provided the information, the version of the form and the signature.
Staff confirm the patient's identity, current body weight, fasting status, the last medicines given, any change in symptoms and that the consent is complete.
The veterinarian repeats the key clinical assessment, especially when more time has passed since the previous examination or the patient's condition has changed.
The procedure describes the practice's standard of care; the details of the assessment of a particular patient are decided by the lead veterinarian.
An examination, blood results and a risk assessment on the ASA scale before every anaesthetic — in line with our standard STD-01. This lets us plan the anaesthetic for the individual patient.
Inhalation or combined anaesthesia carried out according to standard STD-02: intubation, continuous monitoring of vital signs, warming, and a dedicated person watching the patient throughout the procedure.
A pre-procedure visit: examination, blood test, anaesthetic risk assessment (STD-01) and clear instructions on how to prepare the animal at home.
Light, controlled sedation for X-rays, ultrasound, dressings and sample collection — with monitoring, reversible drugs and a quick recovery.