Veterinary Anesthesia Nerds

A friend of mine recently called me up because his dog was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. The dog was on carprofen and the clinician told my friend there was really nothing else they could give for pain. That didn't sound right to me so I went to Katelyn McDonald CVT, VTS (Oncology) to get the scoop. Katelyn McDonald, CVT, VTS (oncology) has been working in veterinary medicine for over 25 years. She...

Paracetamol is a staple in UK anesthesia practice, but in North America, it is hardly utilized. n this episode, we break down the pharmacology, species-specific considerations, and real-world case applications of Acetaminophen, of this often misunderstood drug. From when it can be a valuable tool to when it can be dangerous, we explore how to use it thoughtfully and effectively in practice. Matt G...

We've all been there. You need to run diagnostics, or place a catheter, but it's not going to happen without some heavy sedation. But, what do you do when you discover the feline you need to sedate has a murmur that hasn't been worked up? Dr. Gianluca Bini graduated from the University of Perugia, Italy. He then moved to the United Kingdom, where he completed two internships, one in anesthesia and...

Hypothermia can happen during any anesthesia procedure, but it seems especially common during dentistry procedures. In this episode we chat with Benita Altier LVT, VTS (Dentistry) to discuss how hypothermia happens and what steps we can take to prevent and correct it. Benita Altier is a Licensed Veterinary Technician and a Dental Technician Specialist. She began her career in veterinary technology...

In this episode, we’re chatting with Darci Palmer, CVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia), about a simple but powerful tool you can add to your sedation toolbox: the GV 20 acupuncture point. Darci breaks down how and why GV 20 can help take the edge off for anxious patients, support smoother sedation, and make handling easier for both patients and staff. She shares practical tips, real-life examples, a...

In this episode of the Veterinary Anesthesia Nerds podcast we sit down with renowned veterinary anesthesiologist Dr. Sheilah Robertson to tackle the unique challenges of pediatric anesthesia. When dealing with tiny kittens and puppies, Dr. Robertson shares her expertise on how physiology, drug metabolism, and peri-anesthetic care differ in young patients. The conversation covers practical consider...

Do your surgical patients need more than just a comforter and a heat source in recovery? Join Tabitha Kucera, RVT, KPA-CTP, VTS (Behavior) as we talk about al the ways you can create the optimal surgical recovery area for your patients. What sights, sounds, and smells should we be trying to achieve or avoid? Its all discussed today on the Veterinary Anesthesia Nerds podcast! About Tabitha: As a ve...

In this episode, we’re diving into the world of inhalant anesthetics—specifically isoflurane and sevoflurane—and how they fit into a balanced anesthesia protocol. Join Tasha & VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia) Jen Dupre-Welsh as they break down the pharmacology, pros and cons, and clinical considerations of each agent. Whether you're a seasoned technician or just getting comfortable with gas anesthesia...

Nutrition is often a forgotten aspect of the overall animal healthcare experience, especially when compared to the more "sexy" specialties such as ECC and Anesthesia. However, nutrition plays a VITAL role in effecting almost all specialties and body systems of our patients. Today we talk to Robin Saar, a VTS (Nutrition) to talk about how nutrition plays a role specifically in post op recovery, and...

Sure you have used the vent, but are you always using PEEP? Should we always be using PEEP? This episode features Erin Czerwonka who is not only and RVT but also and RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist!!! While her primary focus has always been referral anesthesia, Erin has also gained valuable experience working in the Ophthalmology, Cardiology, and ICU departments. In 2015, she took a signific...

With all the buzz around climate change, you may not have stopped to think how our work in anesthesia contributes to the overall warming of the planet. But, Toby Trimble is here to break it down for us. In this episode we discuss some of the ways the anesthesia industry contributes to environmental issues. Volatile anesthetics are potent greenhouse gases, meaning they trap heat in the atmosphere a...

Listen in to this episode of the Veterinary Anesthesia Nerds podcast for a crucial discussion with Dr. Gianluca Bini on the evolving landscape of perioperative pain management. This episode dives into the potential overuse of opioids in veterinary medicine and explores the exciting possibilities of incorporating Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols. Dr. Bini highlights the strategic us...

Have you been thinking about taking that next step in your tech anesthesia journey? Join Darci Palmer and Tasha McNerney as they break down the specifics of what is involved in the VTS journey. Visit https://www.avtaa-vts.org/application-forms.pml for more information.

You think your anesthesia plan needs an opioid (and you're probably right) but which one to choose? From receptors to duration, join Stephen, Darci, and Tasha as they discuss which opioids to consider, why they work the way they do, and when to change plans if needed. further reading: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21952398/ https://bmcvetres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12917-020-02364-w

Ever wondered about the difference between oxygenation and ventilation? 🫁💨 Join us as Veterinary Technician Specialist Meagan Crowley breaks it down in a way that’s both practical and engaging! Useful for every anesthesia case you perform, we’ll explore why understanding this distinction is critical for patient care. Hypoxemia, hypoventilation, physical monitoring parameters, and physiology will...

We are all taught in school that if a patient become hypotensive, they should receive a fluid bolus. But, does that make sense for all patients? When do you reach for an anticholinergic? When do you start that dopamine or norepi? Amanda Shelby RVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia) is here to explain it all to us. Resources mentioned in this episode: 1. Harro C, Foster JD. The effect of circumferential...

Join all 3 Veterinary Anesthesia Nerds as we geek out over Alpha 2 drugs! Darci Palmer, Stephen Cital, and Tasha McNerney give you a breakdown of the different alpha 2's you may come across in practice. There are so many alpha two options out there, it can get confusing. From tried and true's like xylazine to newer on the market drugs like ZenAlpha, today we discuss how alpha 2's work and why we l...

ERAS (enhanced recovery after surgery) are gaining ground in human anesthesia ad surgery, but what do they mean for veterinary medicine? Today I discuss the key ERAS concepts we use when creating a balanced and multi modal protocol. Visit the anesthesia nerds website and check resources for the PDF that goes along with this episode: https://www.veterinaryanesthesianerds.com

Today we are joined by Gianluca Bini, DACVAA and we are discussing how to safely anesthetize the dog with a murmur that hasn't been completely investigated. How can we make anesthesia as safe as possible for this pet? Dr. Gianluca Bini graduated from the University of Perugia, Italy. He then moved to the United Kingdom, where he completed two internships, one in anesthesia and one rotating, at Dic...

There's been a LOT of talk about Ketamine recently. Not only as an induction agent but also its larger role as an NMDA receptor antagonist and how this plays into chronic conditions such as pain, anxiety, and depression. Today we talk with Dr. Matthew Gurney DECVAA on how we can better utilize this drug class and some of the science behind it! Dr. Matthew Gurney is an internationally respected Bri...

So, have you ever wondered what it would be like to make the switch from veterinary nursing to the human side? Well, today we are talking with Morgan McCann who has done just that! Morgan McCann has been a credentialed veterinary technician since 2010 and became a VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia) in 2018. In 2020 she began the process of transitioning to human healthcare with the goal of becoming a Ce...

Today we are joined by Dr. Omar Zaheer, DACZM discussing all things Piggies and why your dosing calculations may be a lil off! Dr. Omar Zaheer graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) in 2016. Following graduation, he completed a small animal rotating internship at the Veterinary Emergency Clinic in Toronto before returning to the OVC for a specialty avian & exotic internship. Following...

Does team culture play a role in patient safety? The research may surprise you! Dr. Cyndie Courtney is back for round 2 helping us dive into the research on how teams work together and what that means for patient safety. Dr. Cyndie Courtney is a small animal veterinarian and recovering toxic team member. She speaks, writes, and consults internationally using peer-reviewed research and real-life ex...

You've probably seen a study referenced in lectures or online forums as a way to present evidence-based theories. But have you ever wondered what all those terms in the studies mean? How does sample size affect the quality of the study? What is in-vivo vs in-vitro and how do these things affect the quality of information you are receiving and making patient decisions based upon? Today I am joined...

Waking up is hard to do...especially when it's after anesthesia. This episode of the podcast features Darci Palmer LVT, VTS (anesthesia & analgesia) discussing the differences between dysphoria, emergence delirium, and pain. We talk about different medication options and tips for making anesthesia recovery smoother overall. Darci Palmer has been a credentialed veterinary technician for 21 years. S...