🦮9.11 Chengdu Vet Hospital: How We Sedated Aggressive Stray Cats Without Direct IV Access

Previously, most of my shadowing cases involved domestic pets or pandas undergoing anesthesia. The standard protocol was IV catheter placement followed by propofol induction while the animals were still conscious. Once unconscious, they were transferred to the OR for gas anesthesia (usually isoflurane) and maintenance doses of propofol during further procedures (sometimes not needed at all).

Today was different. Several aggressive stray cats came in—none could be safely handled while conscious. There was no direct IV access. Instead, we initiated induction using an oxygen-anesthetic mix in containment boxes. After initial sedation (once they appeared slightly disoriented), we applied oxygen masks and proceeded with catheterization.

The technique shifted from an IV-first to a gas-first approach—safer and more efficient in high-risk containment scenarios.