Sevoflurane
Also known as: SevoFlo, Ultane, Petrem, Sojourn, Sevocris, Sevorane, Sevotek
**Sevoflurane** is a specialized anesthetic gas administered by your veterinarian during surgical or diagnostic procedures. * **Fast Acting**: It allows your pet to fall asleep very quickly and smoothly, which is especially helpful for pets that are stressed or difficult to handle. * **Rapid Recovery**: Because the gas leaves the body rapidly once turned off, your pet will likely wake up, stand, and be alert much sooner than with older anesthetics. * **Safety**: It is generally very safe and is often the anesthetic of choice for older pets, very young pets, or exotic animals because it is gentle on the cardiovascular system. * **Post-Anesthesia**: Your pet may still be slightly groggy or uncoordinated for a short period after coming home. Keep them in a safe, quiet, and warm environment until they are fully back to normal.
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
Veterinary professional? See the full dosing-by-species reference on VetSheet →
What it is used for
- Anesthesia Induction (Mask/Chamber)
- Anesthesia Maintenance (Circle System)
- Induction of anaesthesia (unpremedicated)
- Maintenance of surgical anaesthesia
- Anesthesia Maintenance
- Anesthesia
- Anesthesia Maintenance
- Anesthesia Maintenance
- Anesthesia
- Anesthesia Induction (Mask)
- Anesthesia Maintenance (No Premedication)
- Anesthesia Maintenance (With Premedication)
- Anesthesia Induction (Mask/Chamber)
- Anesthesia Maintenance (Circle System)
- Induction of anaesthesia (unpremedicated)
- Maintenance of surgical anaesthesia
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Dose-dependent hypotension
- Dose-dependent respiratory depression
- Gastrointestinal effects (nausea, vomiting, ileus)
- Myocardial depression and bradycardia (less than halothane)
- Malignant hyperthermia (rare but life-threatening)
- Temporary decreases in erythrocyte, white cell counts, and total protein in ferrets
- Agitation or excitement during rapid recovery
- Neonatal depression (crosses the placental barrier)
Cautions & contraindications
- Patients with a history or predilection towards malignant hyperthermia
- Known hypersensitivity to sevoflurane or other halogenated anaesthetics
- Known or suspected susceptibility to malignant hyperthermia
- > **WARNING: Compound A Formation** > Sevoflurane can react with desiccated (dried out) carbon dioxide absorbents to produce 'Compound A', a known nephrotoxin. Always ensure CO2 absorbents are fresh and avoid using extremely low oxygen flow rates (< 500 mL/min). * **Rapid Action**: Because of its rapid onset, use extreme caution not to overdose during the induction phase. * **Rapid Recovery**: Animals (especially large animals like horses) may wake up abruptly. Appropriate sedation during the recovery phase is critical to prevent injury. * **Neurologic/Renal Disease**: Use with caution in patients with increased CSF pressure, head injury, or renal insufficiency. * **Species Specifics**: * **Rabbits**: Can cause breath holding and struggling; premedication and close observation are required. * **Guinea Pigs**: May have a low margin of safety. * **Geriatric Patients**: May require lower concentrations of inhalation anesthetic.
Drug interactions
- Aminoglycosides, Lincosamides: May enhance neuromuscular blockade
- Barbiturates (phenobarbital, pentobarbital): May increase concentrations of inorganic fluoride
- Non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents (atracurium, pancuronium, vecuronium): Additive neuromuscular blockade may occur
- Isoniazid: May increase concentrations of inorganic fluoride
- Midazolam: May potentiate sevoflurane effects; decrease MAC
- Opiates: May potentiate sevoflurane effects; decrease MAC
- St. John's Wort: Increased risk for anesthetic complications; recommend discontinuing 5 days in advance of surgery
- Succinylcholine: Sevoflurane may enhance effects
- Sympathomimetics (dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, ephedrine): Sensitizes the myocardium to sympathomimetics (less than halothane); arrhythmias may still result
- Tramadol: May decrease MAC requirements
- Verapamil: May cause cardiodepression
- Sedatives (e.g., alpha-2 agonists, phenothiazines): Reduces the concentration of sevoflurane required to achieve surgical anaesthesia (MAC reduction).
- Opioid agonists: Reduces the dose requirement of sevoflurane.
- Nitrous oxide: Reduces the concentration of sevoflurane required to achieve surgical anaesthesia.
- Non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents: Sevoflurane potentiates the duration of action of these agents (greater potentiation compared with halothane).
Frequently asked questions
What is Sevoflurane used for in pets?
Sevoflurane is a specialized anesthetic gas administered by your veterinarian during surgical or diagnostic procedures. • Fast Acting: It allows your pet to fall asleep very quickly and smoothly, which is especially helpful for pets that are stressed or difficult to handle. • Rapid Recovery: Because the gas leaves the body rapidly once turned off, your pet will likely wake up, stand, and be alert much sooner than with older anesthetics. • Safety: It is generally very safe and is often the anesthetic of choice for older pets, very young pets, or exotic animals because it is gentle on the cardiovascular system. • Post-Anesthesia: Your pet may still be slightly groggy or uncoordinated for a short period after coming home. Keep them in a safe, quiet, and warm environment until they are fully back to normal.
Is Sevoflurane safe for my pet?
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, please consult a veterinarian.
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