Course

Veterinary Anesthesia

Faculty
Science & Technology
Department
Veterinary Technology
Course code
VTEC 2108
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
30
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Lab
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Typically offered
Fall

Overview

Course description
This course combines theoretical and practical aspects of veterinary anesthesia for both small and large animals. Topics include the calculation of drug doses, pre-anesthetic patient preparation, administration of local anesthetics, sedatives, induction drugs and inhalant anesthetics, monitoring patients under general anesthesia, detection and management of anesthetic complications, as well as post-operative patient care and pain prevention. Inhalant anesthetic machines and monitoring equipment will also be covered.
Course content
  1. The anesthesia machine and its component parts.
  2. Patient assessment in preparation for anesthesia.
  3. Anesthesia protocols, including pre-medication, induction, maintenance and recovery.
  4. Anesthetic support including fluid therapy, heat supplementation and assisted breathing.
  5. Anesthetic monitoring of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, with species-specific monitoring.
Learning activities

Instructional methods may include pre-recorded lectures and videos, webinars, flipped classroom, online quizzes, group work, case studies, written assignments, discussion forums, simulations, dry lab workshops, in-person instructor evaluations and live animal labs.

Means of assessment

Evaluations will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College Evaluation Policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. A final minimum cumulative grade of “C” or 60% is required, in both lecture and lab components, in order to progress in the Veterinary Technology program.

Evaluation will be based on:

Quizzes (2)                  10-25%

Assignments                 0-15%

Practical Evaluations     25-50% (no evaluation worth >25%)

Final Laboratory Exam   15-20%

Final Lecture Exam       10-20%

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this course, successful students will be able to:

  1. Discuss the pharmacology and drug administration routes used for local anesthesia, sedation and inhalant anesthesia.

  2. Describe the proper use and function of inhalant anesthetic machines for the delivery of general anesthesia.

  3. Calculate and administer sedative, anesthetic and analgesic drug dosages.

  4. Monitor, record and troubleshoot sedation and general anesthesia in dogs and cats.

  5. Set up, use and maintain inhalant anesthetic machines and anesthetic monitoring equipment.

  6. Perform endotracheal tube placement in dogs and cats, and describe intubation of other companion and food animal species.

  7. Describe the function of compressed gas delivery systems associated with the inhalant anesthetic machine. 

  8. Describe the occupational hazards associated with workplace exposure to anesthetic drugs, inhalant anesthetics and waste gases.

  9. Set up and maintain a crash kit.

  10. Identify anesthetic emergencies and discuss the use of emergency drugs and equipment.

Textbook materials

Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials.

Requisites

Prerequisites

VTEC 1201 and VTEC 1202 and VTEC 1203 and VTEC 1204 and VTEC 1205

Students in the Veterinary Technology program are required to maintain a minimum grade of (C) in all courses in order to progress in the program.

Corequisites

No corequisite courses.

Equivalencies

No equivalent courses.

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer details for VTEC 2108
There are no applicable transfer credits for this course.

Course Offerings

Winter 2025