More than just nerves: the implications of pre-operative stress for anaesthesia in dogs

Fear and anxiety are common in dogs undergoing veterinary care and may be intensified during the pre-operative period by transport, hospitalisation and routine handling. The resulting physiological stress response has the potential to influence cardiovascular function, respiratory stability and anaesthetic management. This review examines the physiological mechanisms underlying pre-operative stress, evaluates current evidence from human and veterinary medicine, and discusses the implications for registered veterinary nurses involved in peri-anaesthetic care. Human studies consistently associate pre-operative anxiety with increased anaesthetic requirements and delayed recovery, whereas direct veterinary evidence remains limited. Nevertheless, reducing avoidable stress through low-stress handling, behavioural assessment, environmental modification and individualised anaesthetic planning may improve patient welfare and support peri-operative management. Registered veterinary nurses play a key role in recognising and minimising stress, communicating patient-specific concerns and promoting the continuity of care. Further research is needed to determine whether pre-operative stress independently influences anaesthetic outcomes in dogs.