What Is Local (Locoregional) Anesthesia?

Local or locoregional anesthesia is a way to block pain in a specific area of your pet’s body. Instead of affecting the whole body like general anesthesia, it numbs the nerves in one region—such as a limb, the mouth, or the abdomen. It is commonly combined with sedation or general anesthesia to keep pets comfortable before, during, and after a procedure.

Why We Use Local Anesthesia

Local anesthesia is an important part of modern, high-quality pain management. Benefits include:

• Better pain control—helps prevent pain before it starts.

• Smoother anesthesia—pets often need lower doses of general anesthetics.

• Faster recovery—less grogginess after surgery.

• Reduced stress—greater comfort means calmer patients.

• Improved safety—lower anesthetic doses can reduce risk.

How It Works

Local anesthetic medications (such as lidocaine or bupivacaine) temporarily “turn off” nerve signals that carry pain. Depending on the technique, we may:

• Inject around a specific nerve (nerve block).

• Instill medication directly into a surgical site (local infiltration).

• Place medication near the spinal cord to numb the back end of the body (epidural).

• Use ultrasound or nerve stimulation to precisely locate nerves for safer, more effective blocks.

Is It Safe?

Yes. Local anesthetics are widely used in both human and veterinary medicine. Side effects are uncommon, especially because veterinarians carefully calculate doses and use precise techniques (often ultrasound-guided).

Possible but rare side effects may include:

• Temporary weakness or numbness in the blocked limb or area

• Mild swelling or bruising at the injection site

• Very rarely, allergic reactions or systemic toxicity (your veterinary team takes specific steps to prevent this)

Our Goal: Comfort, Safety, and a Better Surgical Experience

Locoregional anesthesia allows us to provide more effective pain management with fewer side effects—helping your pet wake up more comfortably and recover more smoothly.

If you have questions about how local anesthesia will be used for your pet’s upcoming procedure, please let us know. We’re happy to walk you through every step.

*DOWNLOAD OUR LOCAL ANESTHESIA HANDOUT*

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