A Common Concern Among Pet Parents
One of the most common questions veterinarians hear is: “Is my dog too old for anesthesia?” This concern arises most often when dental care is recommended. Today, we understand that maintaining oral health is one of the most effective ways to ensure pets stay comfortable, pain-free, and happy as they age.
Unfortunately, the belief that there’s an age cut-off for anesthesia can lead owners to avoid necessary procedures or turn to unsafe alternatives, like anesthesia-free dental cleanings. These are often performed by unlicensed individuals and do not address periodontal disease below the gum line—the exact area that causes the most harm. No awake animal should (or would) tolerate appropriate cleaning of this area.
Although risk evaluations do shift with age, age alone should never be the reason a pet is denied the benefits of a professionally performed, anesthetized oral health procedure, also known as a COHAT (Complete Oral Health Assessment and Treatment). Are you worried about anesthesia for older pets? With today’s advanced veterinary techniques and personalized care plans, age alone doesn’t have to stand in the way of a safe and successful dental procedure.
Age Is Just One Factor—Not the Only One
Many pets considered “senior” (typically 7–9 years and older) are still in excellent health with no medical barriers to safe anesthesia. Even when age-related changes are present, these can often be safely managed using:
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Modern sedatives and anesthetics
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Advanced pain management techniques
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Rescue medications for emergency intervention
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Continually evolving anesthetic knowledge and protocols
At Montana Pet Dentistry and Oral Surgery, we confidently and regularly anesthetize pets with conditions such as kidney disease, heart disease, liver disease, and others.
How We Screen for the Safety of Older Pets Before Anesthesia
To ensure safe anesthesia, every senior pet undergoes comprehensive pre-anesthetic screening, which includes:
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A physical examination
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Laboratory tests (typically bloodwork and possibly a urinalysis)
These diagnostics are often already part of your pet’s wellness care through your regular veterinarian. However, they may also be performed at Montana Pet Dentistry. A physical exam is always performed on-site as part of our pre-anesthetic protocol.
If any test results are abnormal, we’ll:
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Explain their relevance to anesthesia and overall health
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Recommend further diagnostics if needed (through your primary vet or a specialist)
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Adjust the anesthetic plan as appropriate, often based on the current lab results alone
Our Multi-Tiered Anesthesia Approach
At Montana Pet Dentistry and Oral Surgery, anesthesia is managed using a team-based, layered approach. Even for the most routine cases, your pet’s procedure will be handled by:
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Dr. Jesse Webb, DVM – General practitioner with over 15 years of experience
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Chris Dickson, LVT – Licensed veterinary technician
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Laura Buttner – Highly trained, soon-to-be licensed veterinary technician
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Dr. Melissa Guillory, DVM, DAVDC – Board-certified veterinary dentist and oral surgeon with additional anesthesia training
We also collaborate with Dr. Martin Kennedy, DVM, DACVAA, a board-certified veterinary anesthesiologist who offers remote anesthesia services tailored to your pet’s individual needs.
Dr. Kennedy’s Remote Anesthesia Support: 3 Levels
We are proud to offer three levels of involvement from Dr. Kennedy to ensure the highest standard of anesthesia care:
Level One: Plan Review
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Dr. Kennedy reviews your pet’s medical records
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He develops a custom anesthetic plan based on their health parameters
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Our team carries out this plan under his guidance
Level Two: Real-Time Consultation
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In addition to Level One services, Dr. Kennedy is available during the procedure to:
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Answer questions
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Log in to our monitoring systems remotely
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Direct adjustments and treatments in real time
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Level Three: Full Real-Time Monitoring
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Dr. Kennedy logs in at the start of anesthesia and:
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Monitors your pet throughout the entire procedure
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Guides our team in every aspect of care and response
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Works alongside Dr. Webb or our technician throughout the process
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Emergency/Urgent Anesthesia Consultation
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Dr. Kennedy also offers support on an as-needed basis
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This Anesthesia Emergent/Urgent service is available for all patients undergoing procedures at our clinic, if any complications arise
We’ll gladly discuss these options during your pre-procedure consult to help you make the best decision for your pet.
Why Waiting Can Be Riskier Than Anesthesia for Older Pets
Dr. Webb shares an experience as a general practitioner:
“Is my pet too old for anesthesia?” The simple answer is: no.
Of course, the situation is nuanced and deserves an honest, thorough discussion. While anesthesia risks must always be taken seriously, there are few cases where a pet truly cannot undergo anesthesia, especially with today’s tools and careful planning.
In fact, waiting too long often increases the risk. Dental disease is degenerative; it doesn’t get better on its own. Pets may show no outward symptoms until infection and pain reach a breaking point. By that time, treatment becomes an emergency, and anesthesia becomes even riskier due to the progression of disease and the pet’s declining condition.
Dr. Webb reflects:
“I have never regretted cautiously moving forward with a procedure with a well-thought-out plan, tailored specifically to the patient. But I have seen the consequences of delaying care out of fear.”
Our Promise to You and Your Pet
At Montana Pet Dentistry and Oral Surgery, our top priority is ensuring that your pet leaves our care better than they arrived. We are proud to offer a world-class team that includes:
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Dr. Melissa Guillory, DVM, DAVDC – Board-certified oral surgeon
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Dr. Martin Kennedy, DVM, DACVAA – Board-certified anesthesiologist
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Dr. Jesse Webb, DVM – General practice veterinarian
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Chris Dickson, LVT – Licensed veterinary technician
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Laura Buttner – Highly capable and extensively trained technician
We treat every patient as if they were our own, offering personalized recommendations and top-quality care for pets of all ages and health conditions.
Dr. Guillory’s treatment plans are always thoughtful, thorough, and made with your pet’s best interests at heart.
Visit Us Near Bozeman, Montana
We’re located between Bozeman and Big Sky, and we’d love the opportunity to care for your pet’s oral health needs, no matter their age.
Let us help you ensure a cleaner, healthier, more comfortable life for your beloved companion. Contact us today to discuss your pet’s needs and learn how we make anesthesia for older pets as safe and stress-free as possible.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (05/01/2025) Photo by JUAN FIGUEROA on Pexels