Veterinary Anesthesia

Curriculum guideline

Effective Date:
Course
Discontinued
No
Course code
VTEC 2108
Descriptive
Veterinary Anesthesia
Department
Veterinary Technology
Faculty
Science & Technology
Credits
3.00
Start date
End term
Not Specified
PLAR
No
Semester length
15 Weeks
Max class size
30
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Contact hours

Lecture: 2 hours/week

and

Lab: 3 hours/week

Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Lab
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.

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 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.
Means of assessment

Assessment will be in accordance with ÌÇÐÄvlog´«Ã½Evaluation 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%

Textbook materials

Consult the ÌÇÐÄvlog´«Ã½Bookstore 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.
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

None

Equivalencies

(VTEC 2406 and VTEC 2408) = VTEC 2108

Which prerequisite