Anesthesiology and pain management.

The primary goal of the anesthesiology service is to provide safe, high-quality anesthesia, specifically tailored to your pet. Our team is trained to anticipate, identify and handle any concerns associated with each anesthetic event.

Every patient anesthetized at our hospital has a dedicated anesthesia nurse caring for them before, during and after each anesthetic procedure to ensure the utmost comfort and safety. For patients not requiring general anesthesia, we routinely collaborate with the other specialists at our hospital on sedation and analgesic plans.

What is a board-certified anesthesiologist?

A veterinary anesthesiologist has completed advanced training after veterinary school to become a specialist. This training consists of a minimum of a 1-year internship followed by a 3-year residency program that meets guidelines established by the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia (ACVAA).

During a residency, there are specific training and caseload requirements that must be met. In addition to these requirements, applicants must perform research that is published in a scientific journal and then pass a rigorous written and oral examination.

Why does my pet need an anesthesiologist?

Whenever an animal undergoes a procedure, there is always the risk of complications, both during and after anesthesia. Some patients have a higher risk due to concurrent illness, injury or type of procedure being performed. For these patients, our anesthesiology service can offer advanced monitoring, blood transfusions, an extensive pharmacy and alternative anesthetic techniques to create the safest anesthesia experience for your pet.

Patients that may benefit from having specialty anesthesiology care:

  • Neonatal pets
  • Geriatric pets
  • Pets with existing heart, kidney and liver disease
  • Pets with endocrine and metabolic disorders like diabetes, hyperthyroid, hypothyroid and Cushing’s disease
  • Critically ill pets
  • Pets who have recently sustained trauma
  • Pets undergoing complicated or highly invasive procedures