Pain physiology, pharmacology, and management
Introduction The prevention and control of pain are central to the practice of veterinary medicine. It is essential that clinicians have an understanding of the physiological processes leading to the…
Patient evaluation and risk management
Introduction The purpose of anesthesia is to provide reversible unconsciousness, amnesia, analgesia, and immobility for invasive procedures. The administration of anesthetic drugs and the unconscious, recumbent, and immobile state, however,…
Anesthesia management of dogs and cats
Introduction Successful anesthetic management of dogs and cats requires an understanding of basic physiology and pharmacology integrated with various clinical competencies relating to anesthesia and pain management. The approach to…
Anesthesia for patients with neurological disease
Introduction Dogs and cats frequently require anesthesia for diagnostic evaluation or surgical correction of neurological disorders. Diagnostic procedures that require either general anesthesia or heavy sedation include electroencephalography (EEG), imaging…
Anesthesia for patients with cardiovascular disease
Introduction The cardiovascular system is comprised of the heart, the vasculature, and the blood. Dysfunction of any or all of these components can occur in patients with cardiovascular disease, disease…
Anesthesia for patients with endocrine disorders
Disorders of the adrenal gland Adrenal insufficiency Disease that results in insufficient adrenal hormone production (i.e., hypoadrenocorticism or Addison’s disease) may adversely affect the condition of the patient and overall…
Anesthesia for patients with liver disease
Anatomy and physiology The liver has four primary functions: (1) synthesis of proteins, (2) detoxification of waste products, (3) biotransformation of drugs, and (4) storage of glycogen. The liver has…
Anesthesia for small animal patients with renal disease
Introduction As the science of veterinary medicine advances life-prolonging therapies, clinicians will be exposed to increasing numbers of older patients that will require care. Along with the advancing age of…
Anesthesia for patients with respiratory disease and/or airway compromise
Introduction Because the airway extends from the oral or nasal cavity to the alveoli, airway compromise or respiratory disease has numerous manifestations. Complications can be encountered in both the upper…
Chronic pain management
General considerations While the importance of acute perioperative pain management for dogs and cats has been embraced by veterinarians in recent years, chronic pain management has lagged behind. Barriers to…
