Yes is the answer for most pets with heart disease! Many of our patients come to us for assessment of their heart disease because their vet is concerned about the risk of anaesthesia for procedures such as dentistry. The risk of having an anaesthetic is dependent on the type and the severity of the heart disease. We will be able to comprehensively discuss the risks associated with anaesthesia with you following our assessment.
Our advice will also be passed on to your vet, with recommendations regarding safe anaesthesia protocols and intravenous fluid rates. A minority of dogs will require our specialist anaesthetist to manage the anaesthesia in conjunction with a specialist dentist or other surgeon, depending on what procedure is required. In rare cases, we will advise against anaesthesia because the risk outweighs the benefit of the procedure.