Local anesthetics are used to block pain sensation in localized areas of the body. They may be used for removal of small skin growths, during dental procedures where extracting teeth may be necessary or as an adjunct to pain control in declaw procedures. Local anesthetics can last from 45 minutes to 6-8 hours depending on which one is chosen. Often, a sedative or tranquilizer is used along with a local anesthetic to alleviate your pets anxiety.