The CARES VetMed Podcast

Sedation and anesthesia aren't two separate things — they're points on a spectrum. And the tricky part? You don't always know where your patient is going to land. In this episode, Tracey, Travis and Maryann dig into the gray zone where sedation ends and general anesthesia begins. We share real cases that didn't go according to plan. We break down the pharmacology behind these outco...

Your end-tidal CO2 number might look perfectly fine — and your patient could still be in serious trouble. In this episode, Tracey, Travis, and Maryann go beyond the numbers and break down what your capnograph waveform is actually telling you: what each segment means, what changes signal a problem, and how to respond before things escalate. If you've been glancing at the number and ignoring the...

Ever grabbed the wrong syringe mid-case, caught yourself, and thought — what if I hadn't? In this episode, Maryann, Travis, and Tracey dig into a real-world Canadian study on voluntary pre-anesthetic medication error reporting and have an honest conversation about the habits and system failures that put our patients at risk. The data is humbling: technicians were involved in 72% of reported er...

Are you ready to ride the modern wave of dynamic monitoring? In this episode of The CARES VetMed Podcast , Maryann, Travis, and Tracey break down why static numbers might be lying to you and how tools you already have in your clinic—like your trusty pulse ox—can revolutionize how you predict fluid responsiveness. Traditional Central Venous Pressure (CVP): A look at the classic static measurement o...

Welcome to another episode of The CARES VetMed Podcast! This week, Maryann, Travis, and our host tackle the unique challenges of pediatric anesthesia monitoring. From neonates to young adults, these little patients present distinct physiological differences that require tailored approaches. Join us as we explore essential tips, tricks, and common pitfalls to ensure the safest possible anesthetic e...

Ever feel like the busier your shift gets, the easier it is for your brain to go on autopilot right when it matters most? In this episode of The Cares VetMed Podcast , Maryann, Travis, and Tracey look at the hard science and surprising data behind why even the most seasoned veterinary experts rely on a simple piece of paper to save lives. The math speaks for itself: a humble, one-page checklist ca...

Think the hard part is over once the last suture is tied? Think again. In this episode of The CARES VetMed Podcast , Travis, Maryann, and Tracey shine a light on the "Danger Zone"—that high-stakes window where even the most routine procedures can take a sudden, life-threatening turn. We’re diving into the "why" behind post-op complications, sharing clinical experiences and expl...

Welcome to another episode of The CARES VetMed Podcast! We're excited to be back with a deep dive into the updated 2025 American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia (ACVAA) monitoring guidelines for small animals. Join Travis, Maryann, and Tracey as they discuss the significant changes since the 2009 version, focusing on the new minimum recommended monitoring standards and their imp...

Join us for a fascinating discussion on brachycephalic breeds, featuring guest expert Elisa Mazzaferro, MS, DVM, PhD, DACVECC! In this episode, we delve deep into the unique challenges faced by these beloved breeds, from breeding practices and standards to their complex and often underestimated perianesthetic risks. Dr. Mazzaferro shares her expertise on: The current landscape of breeding testing...

Welcome back to another episode of The CARES VetMed Podcast! Today, we're exploring the crucial role of mean arterial pressure (MAP) monitoring during general anesthesia. We all know monitoring blood pressure is essential, but why is MAP so crucial? How do we calculate it? And what can it tell us about our patients' perfusion and how they're handling anesthesia? In this episode, we'll cover: The i...

Hey there, fellow anesthetists! It's time to get up close and personal with our trusty sidekick – the anesthesia machine! We rely on this machine to deliver safe and effective anesthesia to our patients, so understanding its ins and outs is crucial. In this episode, we're taking a look into: Anatomy of a Machine: From the oxygen source to the vaporizer, we'll examine each component and...

We're all about caring for our furry patients, but who cares for you ?! This episode is dedicated to your financial future - a topic that often gets swept under the rug, especially for those in our field. If you put aside $24 a week, that would be $24,960 in 20 years, and in 40 years, it would be $49,920. What if I told you that in 20 years it could instead be $61,400 and in 40 years it could...

In this episode, we’re discussing a topic that can sometimes be overlooked but is critically important: thermoregulation ! We all know that our patients can get a bit chilly during surgery, but how much do we really understand about what's happening beneath the surface? In this episode, we're diving into the fascinating world of body temperature, exploring: The Body's Thermostat: How d...

In this episode, we'll dissect inhalant anesthetics. We all know these gases are the backbone of general anesthesia, but have you ever stopped to think about how they work? Get ready to unmask the mystery behind those familiar bottles of isoflurane and sevoflurane ! We'll be breaking down: The Nitty Gritty: What makes these agents unique and how do they influence our patients? Putting It t...

Have you ever seen a patient turn blue during anesthesia induction? We all have! But how worried should we be, and can we actually prevent it? In this episode, we're diving into the "Intubation Blues" and taking a closer look at cyanosis during induction. We'll break down what it means, why it happens, and, most importantly, how to keep your patients pink and healthy throughout t...

Comprehensive Anesthesia Review and Education Series for veterinary medicine (CARES VetMed) podcast is on it's way! Here's a sneak peak into the podcast's goals and what to expect with each upcoming episode. Let's do this!