Incidence of and risk factors for poor recovery quality in dogs recovering from general anaesthesia-a prospective case control study.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence of and identify risk factors associated with poor quality of recovery in dogs recovering from general anaesthesia. STUDY DESIGN: Case controlled study. METHODS: All dogs undergoing general anaesthesia at the University of Liverpool Small Animal Teaching Hospital between January 2020 and January 2021 were eligible for recruitment. Signalment, anaesthetic case management and a recovery score were recorded. Univariable and multivariable logistic and ordinal logistic regression analysis were used to identify factors which impact incidence of poor quality of recovery. RESULTS: A total of 247 dogs undergoing general anaesthesia were included. Overall, 72 [29.1%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 23.8%-35.1%] dogs experienced a poor quality recovery. Of these, 40 (55.5%) required sedation to manage behaviours associated with poor recovery. Multivariable logistic regression revealed American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification of III or higher was associated with a decreased incidence of poor quality recovery [odds ratio (OR) = 0.34, 95% CI 0.12-0.93, p = 0.037] and the use of multiple inhalational anaesthetics during one procedure was associated with an increased incidence of poor quality of recovery (OR = 42.5, 95% CI 3.0-598.3, p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Poor quality recovery is common in dogs recovering from general anaesthesia and sedation is often required for resolution. It is more likely to occur in healthy veterinary patients (ASA I and II). The use of multiple inhalational anaesthetic agents during one procedure should be discouraged as this may increase the likelihood of poor quality of recovery.