What is a sign of excessive depth during anesthesia?

Excessive depth during anesthesia can present itself through several physiological signs. Irregular abdominal breathing specifically indicates that the patient may not be responding normally to the anesthetic levels. In a state of excessive anesthesia, the respiratory system can become affected, resulting in irregular patterns of breathing. This is a critical sign that suggests the animal may be overly sedated, which can lead to complications if not addressed.

Sluggish reflexes could also indicate deeper anesthesia but are less specific than irregular breathing patterns. Normal respiratory rate suggests that the animal is likely responding appropriately to anesthetics, showing no signs of excessive depth. Ceased vocalization can happen for various reasons during anesthesia, but it may not directly correlate with the depth of anesthesia—animals may simply not vocalize due to the effects of the drugs, rather than the depth being excessive. Hence, irregular abdominal breathing serves as a more definitive sign of excessive depth, marking a need for reevaluation of the anesthetic plan.