General Anaesthetics and Akitas

Robert Stuhldreer

I wonder if you can help me. My beautiful 10 year old Akita Adora has to have a geberal anaesthetic next week on Monday to be able to investigate a lump under her left axilla. I am hoping that this is just a fatty lump
Adora is spayed and has had 3 GA´s when younger ( one to have her spayed and two other for cruciate ligament repairs-TPLO)
As you may know Akitas have a small heart in comparison with their size and some Akitas have succumbed due to anaesthetic-induced deaths ie too much anaesthetic being given which really worries me. I think I am right in saying that only the minimum amount of anaesthetic should be given. I am concerned because of Adora´s age too.
I have also been told by other Akita owners that ACP (used as a pre-med) isn´t always compatable with Akitas.
I would be very grateful to hear your comments.
If you are able to answer the following I would be very grateful:
What specific anaesthetic would you recommend for a 10 year old Akita weighing 52kg?
What specific anaesthetics should be avoided?

What safe alternatives are there for ACP that can be used on Akitas?

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16 Apr 2010 19:42

Cat the Vet

Hi Robert,

I can understand your concern about Adora under going an aneasthetic, they should always be done with care in an older dog, as they are with any animal, but I don´t think her being an Akita will make any difference.

Firstly, I am not aware, as are none of my colleagues, of Akitas having small hearts in relation to their size. Nor are there are any peer reviewed articles or veterinary reports relating to it. I did find a reference to it on Wikipedia, which may be where you saw the information as well, but it doesn´t have any citations to back it up. Also, neither is there any evidence that Akitas are sensitive to ACP. Some breed are, in particular Boxers, but this is a well known fact by vets and if Akitas had any problems, I am sure it would be equally acknowledged.

However, Adora is now an older dog and, as I am sure your vets have explained, anaesthetics do carry higher risks in older animals. The two things which help to make them safer are pre-anaesthetic blood tests and intravenous fluids. Pre-anaesthetic bloods are a good way of assessing the function of the dog´s organs, in particular the liver and kidneys. This is important as both need to be functioning well in order for the body to be able to process the anaesthetic drugs properly. Fluids are helpful, especially in older animals, as they help protect the organs, again the liver and kidneys particularly benefit and help maintain the blood pressure during the procedure.

I hope this helps, let me know how things go.

Cat