[Perioperative anesthesiological management in multiply-traumatized dog and cat patients]

The consecutive steps in anaesthesia management of polytraumatized dogs and cats are described. First of all care must be taken of the respiration, the cardiovascular circulation and the central nervous system. Analgesia plays an important role even at this stage. After stabilizing vital functions in the phase of primary care, cautious anaesthesia management is required for life-saving surgical procedures in the phase of secondary care. Modified balanced anaesthesia has been well proven in polytraumatized small animal patients.