Course Description
This course combines both the 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.
Enrolment is limited to students in the Veterinary Technology Program.
Course Content
The major topics in this course include the following:
- The anesthesia machine and its component parts.
- Patient assessment in preparation for anesthesia.
- Anesthesia protocols, including pre-medication, induction, maintenance and recovery.
- Anesthetic support:
-fluid therapy
-heat supplementation
-assisted breathing
- Anesthetic monitoring :
- Cardiovascular, respiratory and species specific monitoring
Learning Activities
This course includes 3 hours of classroom instruction as well as 3 hours of laboratory activity per week.
Means of Assessment
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 pass this course. Evaluation will be based on quizzes and assignments, practical evaluations including a final practical examination, at least one midterm and a final written examination.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate the proper use and function of inhalant anesthetic machines for the delivery of general anesthesia.
- Discuss the pharmacology and routes of administration of drugs used for local anesthesia, sedation and inhalant anesthesia.
- Calculate sedative, anesthetic and analgesic drug dosages.
- Monitor, record and intervene as necessary to ensure safe anesthesia in dogs and cats.
- Set up, use and maintain inhalant anesthetic machines and anesthetic monitoring equipment.
- Perform and/or describe intubation of companion and food 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, inhalant anesthetics and waste gases.
- Set up and maintain a crash kit.
- Identify anesthetic emergencies and discuss the use of emergency drugs and equipment.
Textbook Materials
A list of required and optional textbooks and materials is provided for students at the beginning of each semester.