What is a common risk associated with increased levels of untreated pain during anesthesia?

Using higher doses of anesthetic drugs is a common risk associated with increased levels of untreated pain during anesthesia. When an animal is experiencing significant pain, the body may produce an exaggerated physiological response, which can affect how the anesthetic drugs work. This increased sensitivity to pain may result in a need for higher doses of anesthetics to achieve the same level of sedation or analgesia required for safe surgical procedures.

This situation not only raises the amount of drugs used but can also lead to potential complications such as prolonged recovery times, greater drug side effects, and increased risk of overdose. Effectively managing pain prior to and during anesthesia is essential to ensure that the animal’s anesthetic experience is as smooth and safe as possible. Hence, recognizing and treating pain effectively helps in maintaining lower doses of anesthesia and mitigating the associated risks.