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 in small 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. Use and maintenance of inhalant anesthetic machines and monitoring equipment are also covered.
Course content

Pharmacology:

  • sedative, anesthetic and analgesic drugs
  • drug calculations
  • methods of drug administration
  • controlled drug log

Anesthetic planning:

  • patient risk assessment
  • anesthesia and analgesia protocols for pre-medication, sedation, induction, maintenance and recovery

Anesthetic equipment:

  • compressed and waste gas safety
  • inhalant anesthetic delivery systems
  • anesthetic breathing circuits and ancillary equipment
  • monitoring equipment including electrocardiogram, capnograph, pulse oximeter, non-invasive blood pressure and temperature monitors

General anesthesia:

  • sedation and induction 
  • endotracheal intubation
  • anesthesia depth assessment
  • cardiovascular and respiratory system monitoring
  • patient support including fluid therapy, heat supplementation and assisted breathing
  • problem solving equipment errors
  • identification and treatment of abnormal vital signs
  • anesthetic monitoring forms
  • anesthetic emergencies

Anesthetic recovery:

  • post-anesthetic monitoring and nursing care
  • logs and medical records
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 (which may include use of cadavers), dry lab workshops, in-person instructor evaluations and live animal labs.

Means of assessment

Assessment will be 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.

In order to acheive a grade of "C" (or higher) in the course, students must:

  • attend a minimum of 80% of the scheduled labs
  • achieve a final minimum grade of 60% in each of the lecture and lab components

Evaluation will be based on:

Lab evaluations: 20-50% (no single evaluation worth more than 25%)

Assignments: 0-15%

Quizzes: 10-20% (no quiz worth more than 10%)

Term test(s): 10-20%

Final examination(s): 30-40%

Total: 100%

Learning outcomes

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

  • discuss the pharmacology and use of drugs used for analgesia, sedation and anesthesia;
  • calculate and administer sedative, anesthetic and analgesic drug dosages;
  • assess patient risk for anesthesia using the American Society of Anesthesiologists scoring system;
  • choose appropriate anesthetic protocols according to patient risk;
  • describe patient preparation for anesthesia including pre-sedation medication protocols;
  • describe the function and safe use of compressed gas delivery systems associated with inhalant anesthetic machines;
  • describe the occupational hazards associated with anesthetic drugs, inhalant anesthetics and waste gases;
  • describe the proper function, safe use and maintenance of inhalant anesthetic machines, anesthetic breathing circuits and monitoring equipment;
  • set up and use anesthetic machines, circuits and monitoring equipment;
  • sedate patients and induce anesthesia;
  • safely place and maintain an endotracheal tube in a dog or cat;
  • describe intubation of other species;
  • assess patient depth under general anesthesia;
  • monitor, record and troubleshoot vital signs in patients under general anesthesia;
  • provide patient support during anesthesia including fluid therapy and heat supplementation;
  • demonstrate safe procedures for assisted breathing during general anesthesia;
  • discuss patient recovery procedures and potential complications;
  • accurately record data onto anesthetic monitoring charts, logs and medical records;
  • 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 textbooks and materials may include:

  • JM Bassert, AD Beal and OM Samples. (Current Edition). McCurnin's Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians. Pub Elsevier.

Requisites

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

Fall 2025

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
30
Currently enrolled
0
Remaining seats:
30
On waitlist
0
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. A
Room
A2143
Times:
Start Time
8:30
-
End Time
12:20
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. A
Room
A2145
Times:
Start Time
8:30
-
End Time
12:20
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. A
Room
A2143
Times:
Start Time
13:30
-
End Time
16:20
Section notes

VTEC 2108 001 is restricted to the Full-time VTEC cohort only.