Anesthesia Allergies in Cats

Anesthesia Allergies in Cats - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost

What are Anesthesia Allergies?

Anesthesia allergic reactions occur almost immediately following the cat’s exposure to anesthesia, which means your cat will already be in the presence of a doctor when symptoms begin to show. Although hearing your cat suffered a complication during a medical procedure is unsettling, as long as the vet was monitoring your cat and treated the reaction quickly, your cat should fully recover.

If your cat is going to the vet for a procedure that requires the use of anesthesia, it’s normal to feel nervous. There are many risks associated with anesthesia, especially if your cat has certain health conditions or allergies. Unfortunately, you can’t tell if your cat has an anesthesia allergy until he has already had a reaction. Cats can be allergic to local or general anesthetics, and symptoms may vary depending on the severity of the allergy. Some cats will only experience a bit of swelling and irritation where the anesthesia was injected or applied topically, while others will begin to go into anaphylactic shock or cardiac arrest.

Anesthesia Allergies Average Cost

From 580 quotes ranging from $500 - $5,000

Average Cost

$1,800

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Symptoms of Anesthesia Allergies in Cats

If your cat is ever given local or general anesthetics during a medical procedure, the vet and his team of assistants will be closely monitoring him to look for signs of an allergic reaction, along with other complications. Some of the symptoms they are looking for can include:

  • A drop in blood pressure
  • Signs of cardiac arrest
  • Swelling or irritation at the injection site
  • Anaphylactic shock

Causes of Anesthesia Allergies in Cats

Some cats will have an allergic reaction to anesthesia, while others will not. Unfortunately, there are no known causes of allergies. Allergy tests can be conducted to determine if your cat reacts to any common allergens, however, anesthesia is not one of the allergens included in testing. Cat owners do not become aware of their cat’s anesthesia allergy until the cat has already had a reaction. 

Diagnosis of Anesthesia Allergies in Cats

If your cat has a surgery scheduled in the near future, you will most likely have to bring him in for pre-op testing to ensure he is healthy enough to undergo surgery. You may be wondering why an allergic reaction can still occur during the procedure if your cat has been thoroughly pre-tested. This is because there’s no way for a vet to test for an anesthesia allergy. 

Prior to a surgery, you should let your vet know whether your cat has any known allergies and if he has ever had any bad reactions to medications in the past. If your cat has been given anesthesia before and had a negative reaction to it, your vet needs to know this before the procedure is performed.

Once a local or general anesthesia has been administered to your cat, the vet should immediately be able to diagnose an allergic reaction based on the observable symptoms. Make sure you ask your vet for the exact name of the anesthesia that was used so you know to avoid this type moving forward.

Treatment of Anesthesia Allergies in Cats

Luckily, anesthesia allergic reactions occur immediately, so your cat will already be in the presence of a veterinarian when the symptoms begin. The treatment will depend on the severity of the reaction. If it’s just mild skin irritation, the vet may not administer any medication unless the condition worsens. Moderate allergic reactions can be treated with antihistamines, which can be given orally or intravenously. If the cat is under sedation from generation anesthesia, the antihistamine will be given through an IV, however, if the cat is awake and reacted to local anesthesia, the medication may be given orally.

Serious reactions will need other forms of treatment. The vet may administer epinephrine through an auto-injector device such as an Epi-Pen. Epinephrine will immediately enter the cat’s system and begin to alleviate the symptoms associated with an allergic reaction. If your cat’s airways begin to swell because of the allergic reaction, he may be unable to breathe. The vet will need to closely monitor his airways during an allergic reaction, and if swelling is spotted, emergency surgery may be needed to open the airways.

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Recovery of Anesthesia Allergies in Cats

As long as the vet is closely monitoring your cat while under anesthesia, your cat should fully recover from any allergic reaction that occurs. You should be able to take your cat home after his condition has stabilized. Make sure you follow all of the vet’s instructions closely and administer any corticosteroids or antihistamines as instructed. If your cat’s condition worsens, take him to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Find out what type of anesthesia caused the reaction and ask your vet to write a note on your cat’s record so this allergy is documented. This will help you ensure your cat is not ever given this type of anesthesia again in the future.

Anesthesia Allergies Average Cost

From 580 quotes ranging from $500 - $5,000

Average Cost

$1,800

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Anesthesia Allergies Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals

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tabby

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Barlow

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16 Weeks

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1 found this helpful

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1 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Swelling Of Tongue And Penis.
I adopted a kitten from a shelter. Unfortunately there was a mistake in sexing the kitten and opened up the cats abdomen to perform a spay when the cat was a male. He was given Hydromorphone IM, Ketamine IM, Medetomidine IM. He was also given a local of Bupivicaine for incision line and testicular block. Maintenance anaesthetic was isoflourane. During surgery it was noted that the tongue and penis was swollen. He was put on an IV with dexamethasone until swelling resolved. He was under for 3 hours. The record says there was a short period when pressures were low but stable throughout. He has developed a lump at the base of the spay scar now and I will have to bring him to a vet if it doesn't resolve. It was suggested by a vet tech that it may just be his stitches but I don't want to wait too long. I'm very nervous now taking him to a vet to get anything done that requires sedation on anesthetic. Is there any idea which drug may have caused this reaction? Do I need to be concerned that he was under for 3 hours? Also is there any concern with opening up a male cat for a spay. Is this normal to get a lump from stitches? Thank you!

Sept. 6, 2018

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domestic short hair

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Choco

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2 Months

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0 found this helpful

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0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Swelling
Pain In Area Of Condition
My kitten has swelling in his left leg- we went to the vet (4 days ago) to check if he had any broken bones in his limbs (his right arm wasn’t well), and he wasn’t so comfortable with x-rays so we gave him a bit of anasthetic, on one of his legs (I don’t remember which, probably his left) His eating habits are the same, he’s drinking enough He urinates, but doesn’t defecate; except for this morning where he did a little while I held his tail up for him (he can’t sit down to do it, but he can urinate by laying down in his litter box) He was making a steady recovery from his arm injury, until yesterday- he was walking around like he would, but suddenly just collapsed like his leg just malfunctioned He can use his arm like he did before, but his left leg is a bit tense and is swelling, and he feels pain when I touch it (very lightly pinching to feel around) We keep him in an enclosed space so he wouldn’t try to walk up or down stairs

Aug. 23, 2018

Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM

0 Recommendations

From your description, I'm not sure what injury Choco actually had or what was determined was wrong with his leg. Is he on any medications? Since I can't see him, it would be best to follow up with your veterinarian for a recheck, as it sounds like he is having a setback in his recovery.

Aug. 23, 2018

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Anesthesia Allergies Average Cost

From 580 quotes ranging from $500 - $5,000

Average Cost

$1,800

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