There are mixed opinions over anesthesia for cats in almost every circumstance. I personally have feared the procedure, and sweated it out whenever any of my cats had to have even the smallest dose of sedative in the veterinary office. They often have to be used for minor procedures, such as during Xrays or CAT scans, because they must lie perfectly still during those events. But I'm only human. Perhaps it's because I remember several anesthetics years ago which had potential deadly side effects.

They included

• Isofluorane. This inhalant has received mixed reviews. It lost its patent many years ago, and became one of the least expensive anesthetics. It was considered safe (particularly with older or compromised patients), gave rapid recovery of the patient after surgery, and was considered unlikely to induce nor exacerbate heart arrhythmias. On the other side of the coin, the University of Minnesota wrote that  it could cause reespiratory depression and cardiovascular depression.
• Ketamine. Also known as a date rape drug, Ketamine has the potential for depressed cardiac function; compromised respiratory function, including apnea (failure to breathe and/or sudden pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs) for cats with cardiac disease or severe debilitation. Contraindicated for cases of head trauma, or cats with kidney failure.

 

The AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) issued the 2013 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats, approved and endorsed by the American Veterinary Dental College prompted AAHA to update the Dentistry Section of the standards.

The Guidelines state that cleaning a companion animal’s teeth without general anesthesia is considered unacceptable and below the standard of care. (my highlighting) General anesthesia with intubation is necessary to properly assess and treat the companion animal dental patient. The use of general anesthesia allows for the necessary immobilization without discomfort, periodontal probing, intraoral radiology, and the removal of plaque and tartar above and below the gum line including polishing to ensure patient health and safety.

JaneA Kelley shares my feelings about dental work for cats without anesthesia. She writes, "I can’t even imagine how anesthesia-free dental cleaning can effectively remove plaque and tartar from a writhing, clawing, freaked-out feline’s mouth, and the process of being restrained while all this stuff is going on must be incredibly traumatic."

Way to go, JaneA!