Sedation Recovery Information

Thank you for choosing the team at Animalius to look after your pet.  Today your pet has had a procedure that required a sedation, so they may be a little sleepy. Avoid over-stimulation and provide them with a quiet area to rest away from other pets or children and keep cats inside. We recommend they are kept inside for 24 hours in an area where they are unable to injure themselves as they may still be feeling from the effects of the sedation. Some prescribed medications will mean your pet may not be able to regulate their own body temperature well, so an area that is at a comfortable temperature (not too warm or cold) is ideal.  

We expect your pet to return to normal behaviour and routines the following day (older animals may require longer). Some pets may seem to pant more following a sedation, this can be a side effect (rare) of a particular sedation medication we use which can last up to 12 hours post sedation. If you are concerned at all, please contact us at the clinic.  

  • Loss of appetite for more than 24 hours 
  • Reduction in water consumption for longer than 24 hours 
  • Weakness, depression, vomiting or diarrhoea  
  • Difficulty breathing 

 Feeding 

Offer a small amount of food (half their normal meal size) and water once you return home following the sedation. If they eat all their food and still appear hungry, please wait 2-3 hours before feeding more. If an animal eats to much at once following a sedation, they can vomit. We expect a normal return to appetite and toileting habits by the following day. 

Exercise 

This will depend on what your pet was seen for, it is important to follow the instructions provided by your Animalius care team specific to their condition. 

To reduce the risk of injury we recommend keeping your pet quiet and allowing them to rest in the first 24 hours following their sedation. Avoid boisterous activity including running, jumping, climbing stairs, playing with other animals, and jumping onto and off furniture. 

A copy of your pet’s referral report along with any results from tests performed today will be sent directly to your referring veterinarian. Please contact your regular vet to discuss these results. Please allow 48 hours for your Imaging referral report to be received and depending on what test they have had performed, results can take anywhere between 1 –10 days to be received. A guide has been provided below:  

  • Fine Needle Aspirate (FNA) – 48-72 hours 
  • Urine test – Initial report 24 hours, bacterial and fungal cultures 4-7 days for final results 
  • Biopsy (Histopathology) – 7-10 days 
  • General Health Blood test – 24-48 hours 

 Please note that specialised tests may take longer, you will be advised at the time of your pet’s discharge. 

If you have any concerns about your pet, please do not hesitate to contact us on 6166 3770

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