Course Description
This course provides the theoretical foundation for the application of veterinary anesthesia to domestic animals, with a focus on dogs and cats. Topics include the calculation of drug doses, pre-anesthetic patient preparation, administration of local anesthetics, sedatives, induction drugs and inhalant anesthetics, anesthetic and monitoring equipment, monitoring patients under general anesthesia, detection and management of anesthetic complications, and post-anesthetic care and pain prevention.
Course Content
Patient preparation:
- patient assessment and physical exam
- sedation and anesthetic drug dosages and calculations
- anesthesia protocols including pre-medication, induction, maintenance and recovery
- anesthetic forms and controlled drug logs
Anesthetic machine and its component parts:
- compressed and waste gas safety
- anesthetic breathing systems, circuits and ancillary equipment
- precision vaporizer use
Anesthetic induction and intubation:
- anesthetic induction methods
- endotracheal intubation and safe cuff inflation
Anesthesia monitoring and support:
- anesthetic support including fluid therapy, heat supplementation and assisted breathing
- anesthetic monitoring of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems
- monitoring equipment including electrocardiogram, capnograph, pulse oximeter, non-invasive blood pressure, temperature and esophageal stethoscope
- ancillary anesthetic parameters including capillary refill time, mucous membrane colour and various reflexes
- stages of anesthesia
Anesthetic recovery:
- post-anesthetic patient monitoring
- anesthetic logs and medical records
Learning Activities
Learning activities may include recorded lectures, group work, presentations, case studies, discussion boards, preparation of client handouts, quizzes, written assignments, client communication simulations and guest speakers. Students will prepare and present case materials based on their small animal clinical experience.
Means of Assessment
Assessment will be in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. Evaluation will be based on:
Assignments 20-50% (no assignment worth more than 20%)
Quizzes 10-30% (no quiz worth more than 20%)
Final Exam 20-40%
Total 100%
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- discuss the pharmacology and drug administration routes used for local anesthesia, sedation, and inhalant anesthesia in domestic animals;
- describe the proper use and function of inhalant anesthetic machines for the delivery of general anesthesia;
- calculate sedative, anesthetic and analgesic drug dosages and describe their effects;
- describe the assessment of different stages of anesthesia in dogs and cats;
- describe proper monitoring, recording and troubleshooting of sedation and general anesthesia in dogs and cats;
- describe proper set up, use, and maintenance of inhalant anesthetic machines and anesthetic monitoring equipment;
- explain safe endotracheal tube placement in dogs, cats and other companion animal species;
- describe the function of compressed gas delivery systems associated with the inhalant anesthetic machine;
- describe the occupational hazards associated with workplace exposure to anesthetic drugs, inhalants and waste gases;
- 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. Example textbook and materials may include:
- Thomas & Lerche (Current Edition). Anesthesia & Analgesia for the Veterinary Technician. Elsevier.