The anaesthesia recovery toolbox: practical tips

Recovery from general anaesthesia is the last step towards regaining consciousness. When a fatal incident occurs during general anaesthesia, it happens in the recovery phase in 50–80% of dogs and cats. As such, planning and preparation for this often-neglected phase of general anaesthesia is important. Getting the recovery environment right by providing a quiet area where patients can be monitored by a designated member of staff as required is a good starting point. Care should be taken to provide comfort by optimising the analgesia plan, temperature management and general patient management (bladder care, positioning, padding).