sedation and anaesthetic.  The vet has told me that we ought to try flushing out Oscar's anal glands because he might have an infection in them.  He said he would need a fairly strong sedative.  Is this the same as an anaesthetic?

Is your dog funny about vets then?  This is performed at grooming parlours as far as I know and they wouldn't sedate the dogs !

Perrodeagua - This dog is due to have his anal glands flushed, not just expressed ~ which is what they would do at the grooming parlour.  :)

:d :d   Not with it today.  Is it bedtime yet !  I'll have to start reading everything properly !!

I'll have a go :)  A sedative takes the dog down to a lower level of conciousness but it will still respond to stimuli and breath for itself, it can take quite a while for it to be metabolised out and there is not usually any reversal agent.  The required dosage and response can vary quite a bit I suppose because of different metabolisms, too light a sedative may just release the dogs inhibititions (I had a sedative at the dentists once and almost jumped out of the chair to hit him, never again he said :D) With an aneasthetic an induction agent is used to lower the level of conciousness further necessitating artificial breathing, the induction agent is usually one that wears of quite quickly so gases are used to maintain the level of conciousness, a reversal agent may be used.  Generally I would be happy for my vet to advise what was most appropriate for my dog but I am sure he would be happy to answer any questions that would help put your mind at rest.

Thanks, now I understand a bit better.