A glass or plastic ____ ____ may be used to sedate cats or small animals with gas anesthesia.

The use of a glass or plastic anesthesia chamber is specifically designed for inducing anesthesia in small animals like cats. The chamber allows for a controlled environment where gas anesthetics can be safely administered. As the animal breathes in the anesthetic gas, it gradually loses consciousness, making it a suitable method for sedation prior to procedures.

Anesthesia chambers are particularly advantageous for smaller animals that may be difficult to handle during induction. They provide a safe and humane way to introduce the anesthetic without the stress of other methods, such as face masks or injections. This method is especially effective as it minimizes the handling of the animal, reducing anxiety, and allows for a smooth transition into anesthesia.

In contrast, the other options such as a recovery unit, operating table, and oxygen mask serve different purposes within the anesthesia process. A recovery unit is designed for post-anesthesia monitoring and recovery, an operating table is where surgical procedures are performed, and an oxygen mask is typically used for maintaining oxygen levels during anesthesia rather than for induction. Thus, the anesthesia chamber is the appropriate tool for the specific task of sedating cats or small animals using gas anesthesia.