Anaesthesia and Pain Management
Your pet needs dental work. Worrying about the anaesthetic is reasonable, it means you're paying attention. Here's how we approach it.
Safe anaesthesia — including for high-risk patients
All dental procedures here are performed under general anaesthesia. For older pets and those with heart, liver, kidney, or metabolic conditions, that requires more planning, more monitoring, and more care. No anaesthetic is without risk, but every decision we make is aimed at reducing it.
- Pre-procedure planningHistory from your vet, blood work where indicated, and an anaesthetic plan built around your pet's specific health profile.
- Proven medications and IV fluidsSafe, tested drug protocols throughout. Intravenous fluid therapy is standard on every patient, not an add-on.
- Continuous monitoring and warmingState-of-the-art monitoring equipment throughout. Hot-air warming reduces anaesthetic risk and supports faster recovery.
- Nerve blocks and multi-modal pain reliefLocal anaesthetic blocks applied to the mouth during surgery. Multiple pain relief approaches used before, during, and after — not just on waking.
- Recovery careClose observation until fully conscious. Post-operative pain management and take-home instructions before your pet leaves.
Want a specialist managing your pet's anaesthetic?
Optional Service
What the anaesthetist does
- Contacts your regular vet before the procedure to review your pet’s full medical history
- Examines your pet on the day and builds an anaesthesia plan tailored to their condition
- Manages and adjusts the plan before, during, and after surgery
- Focuses solely on the anaesthetic while the dental team focuses on the procedure.
Cost
~$400/hr
+ GST. Varies by hospital. Medications required during the anaesthetic are billed separately. Most procedures take 1 to 2 hours.
How to book
There is a waiting list, though emergencies are triaged. Call 1300 838 336 or submit an enquiry and the team will be in touch.
Why we don't offer anaesthesia-free dentistry
A conscious pet cannot hold still for proper examination, let alone treatment. What gets cleaned under conscious restraint is the visible surface. The tartar driving gum disease and bone loss sits below the gumline — unreachable without full access. The result is a clean-looking mouth with the underlying disease untreated.
Beyond the clinical limits, conscious restraint for dental procedures is stressful and traumatic for your pet. A well-managed general anaesthetic, with proper monitoring and pain control, is the safer and less distressing option.
If the anaesthetic itself is the concern, the answer is a specialist anaesthetist — not avoiding anaesthesia altogether.
Every Pet Deserves A Healthy, Pain-Free Mouth
