New Delhi, Sept. 23 -- Recently, I was preparing a 13-year-old Labrador for the removal of a skin tumour. His family had delayed surgery for months because they were more afraid of the anaesthetic than the lump. For pet owners, the fear of anaesthesia often becomes a bigger barrier than the condition the pet is being treated for.

Anaesthesia is a carefully controlled process that allows a procedure to be performed without pain, awareness or movement, while the veterinary team continuously supports and monitors the body's vital functions. The process begins well before your pet enters the operating theatre.

Before anaesthesia, your veterinarian performs a thorough examination and considers your pet's age, medical history and the procedur...