Why Local Nerve Blocks Matter in Pet Anaesthesia

A local nerve block involves placing a small amount of local anaesthetic near specific nerves to temporarily block pain signals from reaching the brain. Rather than numbing the entire body, nerve blocks target only the area being treated, such as a tooth, a limb, or a surgical site.

They are commonly used in human medicine and are increasingly recognised as best practice in veterinary care, for procedures ranging from routine desexing to complex orthopaedic surgery.

General anaesthesia ensures your pet is unconscious during a procedure, but it doesn’t automatically block pain at its source. Without additional pain control, higher doses of general anaesthetic and other medications may be needed.

Local nerve blocks work alongside general anaesthesia to:

• Reduce pain before it starts
• Minimise the amount of anaesthetic drugs required
• Provide ongoing pain relief during and after the procedure

By controlling pain locally, vets can deliver smoother, more controlled anaesthesia, thereby improving patient outcomes.

There are many benefits to using local nerve blockers during a medical procedure. The primary ones include:

• Pain management before and after surgery: Because nerve blocks prevent pain signals from reaching the brain, pets experience far less discomfort during the procedure and as they wake up. This “pre-emptive” pain control is far more effective than treating pain after it occurs.
• Safer anaesthesia: Lower doses of general anaesthetic drugs are needed when nerve blocks are used. This is especially important for older pets, brachycephalic breeds, or animals with underlying health conditions, where minimising drug load can improve safety.
• Calmer recoveries: Pets who receive nerve blocks often wake up more comfortably, with less stress, less nausea, and less need for strong pain medications afterwards. Many are more settled and mobile, and they recover more easily after surgery.
• Reduced reliance on opioids and other drugs: By targeting pain directly at its source, nerve blocks reduce the need for systemic pain medications, which can have side effects such as sedation, gastrointestinal upset, or dysphoria.

Local nerve blocks are beneficial for almost all procedures, including:

• Dental extractions and oral surgery
• Desexing procedures
• Orthopaedic surgeries
• Soft tissue surgery
• Wound repair and biopsies

Whether a procedure is routine or complex, nerve blocks can dramatically improve comfort and safety. As mentioned earlier in this article, nerve blocks are the gold standard in modern veterinary anaesthesia.

Using nerve blocks requires additional training, experience, and a thorough understanding of anatomy and anaesthesia. Not all veterinary clinics have the specialised expertise or equipment to offer them routinely. That’s where dedicated veterinary anaesthesia professionals make a real difference.

The Anaesthesia Vet is focused entirely on providing advanced, individualised anaesthetic care for pets. Local nerve blocks are a core part of our approach, carefully tailored to each procedure and patient.

By working closely with your regular veterinarian, The Anaesthesia Vet helps ensure:

• The safest possible anaesthetic plan
• The most effective pain control strategies
• A kinder experience for pets before, during, and after surgery

Our involvement allows clinics to offer the highest standards of anaesthesia that may not otherwise be available.

As a pet owner, you have every right to ask questions and advocate for your pet’s comfort.

If your pet is scheduled for a procedure, consider asking:

• “Will a local nerve block be used?”
• “How will my pet’s pain be managed during and after surgery?”

Local nerve blocks aren’t an optional extra; they are a proven, compassionate approach to modern veterinary anaesthesia and having these conversations helps ensure your pet receives the best possible care.