Anesthesia is an important part of veterinary dentistry, allowing our team to safely examine and treat areas above and below the gumline while your pet remains still, comfortable, and free from pain. We also recognize that placing a pet under anesthesia can bring questions, especially when that pet is older or has an existing medical condition.
Veterinary Dental Services takes a careful, individualized approach to cat and dog anesthesia in Boxborough, MA. Rather than relying on one standard protocol, our team evaluates each patient and plans their anesthetic care around their health, procedure, and specific risk factors.
We also partner with Safe Pet Anesthesia, a family-owned company led by board-certified veterinary anesthesiologist Dr. Gianluca Bini and Veterinary Technician Specialist Kristen Ward. Their team provides customized anesthetic protocols, real-time teleconsultation throughout procedures, and continued staff education.
Learn more about the ways we strive to keep your pet safe during their procedure by giving us a call.
Is Anesthesia Safe for Dogs and Cats?
Every anesthetic procedure carries some degree of risk. However, careful screening, patient-specific planning, continuous monitoring, trained personnel, and attentive recovery care can help reduce that risk.
Before your pet’s dental procedure, our team reviews their medical history, current medications, previous anesthetic experiences, physical examination findings, and available diagnostic results. This information helps us identify concerns that may affect anesthesia and determine whether any additional testing or preparation is recommended.
Your pet’s age alone does not necessarily prevent them from receiving anesthesia. Senior pets and patients with ongoing medical conditions may still undergo dental treatment when the potential benefits outweigh the risks and the anesthetic plan accounts for their individual needs.
During the procedure, your pet’s vital signs are closely observed so the team can recognize changes and respond promptly. Monitoring includes:
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Heart rate and rhythm
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Blood pressure
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Oxygen saturation
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Carbon dioxide levels
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Breathing rate and quality
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Body temperature
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Anesthetic depth
Close observation continues as your pet wakes up. Recovery is an active stage of anesthesia care, and our team remains attentive to your pet’s breathing, comfort, temperature, and responsiveness.
Meet the Safe Pet Anesthesia Team
Safe Pet Anesthesia was founded to make advanced veterinary anesthesia guidance more accessible to practices and their patients. Through secure video teleconsultation, its team works alongside our veterinarians and technicians throughout the anesthetic event, from induction through recovery.
Before the procedure, Safe Pet Anesthesia reviews the patient’s medical information, diagnostic results, procedure requirements, and the resources available at our specialty animal hospital. The team then develops a customized anesthesia protocol. During the procedure, an anesthesia professional joins our onsite team in real time to observe the patient, review vital signs, answer questions, and recommend adjustments when needed.
Dr. Gianluca Bini, DVM, MRCVS, DACVAA
Board-Certified Veterinary Anesthesiologist, Consultant and Staff Educator
Dr. Gianluca Bini graduated from the University of Perugia in Italy before moving to the United Kingdom. He completed an anesthesia internship and a rotating internship at Dick White Referrals, one of Europe’s largest referral hospitals.
After completing his residency at North Carolina State University, Dr. Bini served as an Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Pain Management at The Ohio State University. He founded Safe Pet Anesthesia after recognizing how few veterinary practices and patients had direct access to a board-certified veterinary anesthesiologist.
Dr. Bini remains active in veterinary education and speaks at national and international conferences. He also serves on the anesthesiology and pain management faculty at Oklahoma State University.
Kristen Ward, BSN-RN, RVT-VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia)
Veterinary Technician Specialist, Consultant and Staff Educator
Kristen Ward graduated in Veterinary Medical Technology from Central Carolina Community College and worked as a registered veterinary technician for 12 years. She spent six of those years with the anesthesia service at North Carolina State University, where she earned her Veterinary Technician Specialty in Anesthesia and Analgesia.
Kristen later earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Capital University. She currently works in a cardiovascular intensive care unit while serving as the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Safe Pet Anesthesia.
Her experience in veterinary anesthesia and human cardiovascular intensive care gives her a distinctive perspective on patient monitoring, anesthetic support, and clinical education. She also provides continuing education for veterinary professionals across the country.
Dental Care Supported by Advanced Anesthesia Expertise
Dental procedures require close access to the mouth and airway. General anesthesia allows our team to protect your pet’s airway, obtain dental X-rays, examine each tooth, clean below the gumline, and perform necessary treatment without causing fear, movement, or discomfort.
At Veterinary Dental Services, anesthesia is never treated as a routine detail. We plan carefully, monitor closely, and collaborate with Safe Pet Anesthesia to give our team access to additional expertise throughout your pet’s procedure.
Questions about anesthesia are always welcome. We will explain your pet’s recommended dental treatment, discuss their individual considerations, and help you understand what to expect before, during, and after their visit.
If you have questions about your pet’s anesthesia during their procedure, or if you are a veterinarian interested in referring a patient, please contact us.