1. (a) General anesthesia is a condition caused by the administration of a drug or combination of drugs sufficient to produce a state of unconsciousness or dissociation and blocked response to a given pain or alarming stimulus.

2. (b) When administering general anesthesia, a veterinarian shall comply with the following standards:

   1. (1) Within twelve (12) hours prior to the administration of a general anesthetic, the animal patient shall be given a physical examination by a licensed veterinarian appropriate for the procedure. The results of the physical examination shall be documented in the animal patient's medical records.
   2. (2) An animal under general anesthesia shall be observed for a length of time appropriate for its safe recovery.
   3. (3) Provide respiratory monitoring including, but not limited to, observation of the animal's chest movements, observation of the rebreathing bag or respirometer.
   4. (4) Provide cardiac monitoring including, but not limited to, the use of a stethoscope, pulseoximeter or electrocardiographic monitor.
   5. (5) When administering general anesthesia in a hospital setting, a veterinarian shall have resuscitation or rebreathing bags of appropriate volumes for the animal patient and an assortment of endotracheal tubes readily available.
   6. (6) Records for procedures involving general anesthesia shall include a description of the procedure, the name of the surgeon, the type of sedative and/or anesthetic agents used, their route of administration, and their strength if available in more than one strength.

Note: Authority cited: Section 4808, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Section 4883, Business and Professions Code.

History

1. Renumbering and amendment of former section 2032 to section 2032.4 filed 5-25-2000; operative 6-24-2000 (Register 2000, No. 21).

2. Amendment of subsections (b)(1) and (b)(2) filed 4-20-2007; operative 5-20-2007 (Register 2007, No. 16).

3. Amendment filed 9-27-2013; operative 1-1-2014 (Register 2013, No. 39).