Answer: In the vest majority of cases, yes. Modern anaesthetic drugs are less toxic and have greater margin of safety then previously, and in the hands of trained, experienced veterinary staff death from anaesthesia seldom occurs. However, it should be appreciated that, just as in human medicine, there are individuals who may, quit unpredictably, react unfavorably to a particular drug. Fortunately, such idiosyncratic reactions are few and far between.
Certain groups of animals are most at risk from the undesirable effects of anaesthetics principally the very old, the very young, and severely ill, debilitated or weak animals, especially those suffering from shock. Whenever possible, it is batter to delay anaesthesia and surgery until the animal is in a stronger condition to withstand it. But clearly in an emergency situation this is not possible.
Two general rules emerge therefore:
1 Postpone noon-essential anesthesia and operations (e.g. cat spays) on sick animals until they are improved.
2 Perform any really essential anaesthesia and surgery immediately, before a cat’s condition deteriorates further.
