General anaesthetic worries.

[Fourtoomany]

My big (nearly 18hh) 9yo WB has to go for surgery. Just waiting for referral.

I’m not actually worried about the procedure at all (arthroscopy) but I am extremely worried about the GA. Absolutely puts the fear into me! Not just the coming round, but also the worry of colic.

Please tell me any positive experiences of your horses who have had this done! I find so many horror stories and it’s just making me very anxious!!

 

[Rough and tumble]

Mine had 5 ga
In the space of a few months the first time not going to lie he didn’t recover well , was quite panicky on getting up they said and really knocked him for 6 was very quiet for a few days post ga and then had problems urianting , that was worse case but the ones after that he was absolutely fine xx

 

[New Forests Rock]

My NF Rio had a GA at Liphook last August. Only 13.2, so they managed to get an awful lot of him into the CT scanner. Came round very calmly, no dramas and no colic, in fact when I went to collect him you wouldn't have known he'd had one. Turned straight back out with his mates on returning home - sadly what was found on the scan wasn't fixable, but the GA was no problem.

 

[Nari]

Years ago my RID had a GA for colic surgery and with his breeding we were nearly as worried about the GA as the colic, but it was his only chance. He was fine. I mentioned to them that he was inclined to panic so they put him in assisited recovery and brought him round slowly, it might be worth discussing your worries with them to put your mind at rest.