Week 1

Preparation and Premedication

Preparing for what may happen is the key to anaesthesia. We will discuss how to approach an anaesthetic and the difference premedication can have on the patient and the anaesthetic that follows.

Preparedness

Considerations

Safe and effective premedication

Calculations for anaesthesia

Fasting periods

Medication that may be given prior to the visit

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

List generalised considerations for preparing to anaesthetise routine cases

Confidently provide premedication prior to anaesthesia in a safe and controlled manner

Give advice on how long to withhold food before anaesthesia for a variety of different patients

Week 2

Induction

This week will cover the induction process, how to manage different case scenarios and guide you through intubation techniques.

Selection of an appropriate breathing system

Preoxygenation

Intubation for different cases

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Select an appropriate breathing system and calculate the fresh gas flow required

Understand the physiology of preoxygenation, and how to do this effectively

Confidently approach intubation in both routine cases and those with anatomical variations

Week 3

Maintenance

For many, the maintenance phase of anaesthesia can be daunting, this week we will discuss monitoring and fluid therapy during anaesthesia.

Multiparameter monitors

Hypotension

Fluid therapy during anaesthesia

Low flow anaesthesia

Environmental considerations

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Feel confident using multiparameter monitors and interpret the information given

Appreciate the physiology of and importance of monitoring blood pressure effectively

Select an appropriate fluid rate during anaesthesia Select an appropriate fresh gas flow rate during maintenance of anaesthesia

Recognise some of the environmental impacts of anaesthesia

Week 4

Recovery

The recovery phase is an area with high mortality in small animal patients, this week will cover how to make this phase of anaesthesia both calm and safe.

Practicalities of recovery

Monitoring post-anaesthetic

Pain scoring

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Understanding the risks associated with and the necessity for monitoring patients in recovery

Confidently perform pain scoring assessments on patients following surgery