[Ellie May]

Dogs with liver shunt or MVD don't necessarily have stunted growth but some do.

Maybe she was just allergic to those drugs?
For general anesthesia, they can put a mask on her to breathe in Isoflurane. Then when she is asleep they can intubate and hook her up to Iso. No injections have to be given but this is just one way of doing it.

I would be finding a new vet unless she is willing to work with you on vaccines. I understand not all vets want to write waivers for the rabies vaccine but a liver compromised dogs shouldn't be getting every vaccine every year. The schedule will vary depending on the severity of the disease but the vet should at least be offering you titer testing or only vaccinating every three years. I promise, not all vets are just interested in giving vaccines. If that is how you feel about your vet, please find a new one.