This is "Baby Girl".  She will be getting her teeth cleaned today.  She also has some extractions planned because some problem teeth were found on her annual checkup.  All cats get an examination on the day of anesthesia.  Here, Dr. Nixon listens to Baby Girl's heart as she performs a physical exam.

Next, Emily holds Baby Girl while Jennifer draws blood.  The blood sample will be used for pre-anesthetic testing of her internal organs to make sure she is healthy enough to undergo anesthesia.  The tests are run in-house and the results are available in about 10 minutes.

After Baby Girl has been approved for anesthesia, Jennifer gives her a pre-anesthetic sedative.  This medication will calm her and provide her with some pre-emptive analgesia (pain relief).

In ten minutes, Baby Girl is ready for anesthesia.  She is induced (placed) into a plane of general anesthesia by an intravenous injection, after which she is connected to a gas anesthetic.

Next, Jennifer uses a laryngoscope to place an endotracheal tube.

The girls enjoy their jobs:

Once Baby Girl is connected to gas anesthesia, Jennifer places an intravenous catheter while Emily connects the patient to the monitor.  The catheter allows the administration of fluids during anesthesia, as well as providing convenient access in case emergency procedures are required.

Jennifer scales Baby Girl's teeth with an ultrasonic scaler to remove harmful plaque.

While Jennifer cleans the teeth, Emily monitors anesthesia.

Here is the monitor which automatically measures heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, temperature, oxygen saturation, carbon dioxide saturation, and electric activity of the heart (ecg).  Notice Baby Girl's temperature is low, so more external heat will be required to prevent hypothermia.

Jennifer polishes Baby Girl's teeth.

Next, Jennifer takes radiographs (x-rays) of all of Baby Girl's teeth.  This allows the doctor to not only see dental pathology below the gum line, but also allows her to determine if an otherwise suspect tooth may not actually not need to be extracted.

Baby Girl has to be moved around to get the best images.  You can see the radiographs appearing on the monitor in the background.

Here is the dental x-ray processor control box.

Dr. Nixon reviews the radiographs.  She is looking for problems in the tooth roots, in the jaw bones, and in the sinuses.  She also makes sure the radiographs are positioned properly and of good quality.

Next, Dr. Nixon examines Baby Girls mouth and compares her findings to what she has seen in the x-rays.

Dr. Nixon uses the high-speed drill to divide a tooth into sections before extraction.  If not performed properly and with care, an extraction can break a cats fragile jaw.

The high-speed drill helps speed the process and increases the safety of extractions:

Dr. Nixon carefully uses a hand elevator to extract the tooth and its root.

After all the extractions are performed, Jennifer takes more radiographs to make sure all the roots are gone and that no other problems were missed.

After the procedure is deemed a success, Jennifer monitors Baby Girl's recovery.  The patient is still on heat support and IV fluids during her recovery.

Baby Girl is awake and has eaten some food.

At 4:30, Baby Girl is ready to go home!