Risk factors associated with increased mortality within 14 days of general anesthesia in specialty veterinary dentistry and oral surgery practices

Abstract

Objective

To investigate the overall mortality rate and risk factors associated with mortality in dogs within 2 weeks of general anesthesia in a specialty veterinary dentistry and oral surgery practice.

Study design

Retrospective cohort study.

Animals

A total of 3210 dogs were anesthetized for advanced imaging and/or oral surgery.

Methods

Electronic medical records of four clinics were examined for dogs that had undergone advanced imaging and/or oral surgery requiring general anesthesia over a 2 year period (2021–2023). Data were collected on patient demographics, procedural and anesthetic details, and mortality status 2 weeks after anesthesia. Univariate analyses and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify risk factors associated with anesthetic death.

Results

The mortality rate of the study population of dogs was 0.37%. Median age at death was statistically higher than that of dogs alive 2 weeks after anesthesia following univariate analysis (12 and 7 years, respectively). Median anesthetic duration was statistically longer in dogs that died than those that were alive following univariate analysis (177.5 minutes and 141 minutes, respectively). Following multivariate analysis, however, only older age remained a significant risk factor (odds ratio 1.364). Weight, sex, and American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification were not statistically significant risk factors for anesthetic death.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

Data from this study may facilitate risk discussions with clients, especially owners of older dogs undergoing anesthesia in veterinary dental practices.