A history of veterinary anesthesia

The history of veterinary anesthesia has paralleled but lagged behind that of anesthesia for human patients (Fig. 23.7). The two have been intimately intertwined, each contributing to the advancement of the other. The introduction of veterinary anesthesia was delayed by the misperception that the induction of anesthesia in animals was painful'and unnecessary'one needed but to hobble the animal. Fortunately this misperception gave way to reality, and led to the governmental demand for the application of anesthesia to relieve the pain of surgery in animals. The conduct of anesthesia in animals today, as does surgery in animals, is remarkably similar to that in humans, particularly in the US, Canada, Great Britain, and Europe.