ABSTRACT
Injectable anesthesia is an alternative to inhalant anesthesia. It differs from inhalant general anesthesia because it combines the steps of premedication, induction, and maintenance together without using inhalant equipment and inhalant anesthetic agents. However, doses of injectable anesthetic agents can be calculated that will induce various degrees of sedation sufficient to achieve both invasive and non-invasive procedures. (Note: Injectable anesthesia can also be used as a premedication prior to IV induction and inhalant anesthesia [see Chapter 3].) In addition, it can be used to induce general anesthesia that is suitable for surgery. As with inhalant anesthesia, injectable anesthesia for surgical procedures should achieve three specific goals: unconsciousness, muscle relaxation, and analgesia. An ideal injectable anesthetic combination should achieve these three goals, but also allow a rapid and smooth recovery in dogs and cats.
