Ann E Wagner1, Peter W Hellyer. 1. Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA. aewagner@lamar.colostate.edu
Abstract
RATIONALE FOR THE STUDY: To give academic faculty in anesthesia a better understanding of the anesthetic techniques used by veterinarians in private practice, in order to enhance their teaching of anesthesiology to veterinary students. METHODOLOGY: Two anesthesia faculty members visited 20 different small-animal veterinary practices, interviewing veterinarians and technical staff about their use of anesthesia and their anesthesia-related problems. RESULTS: Compared to most university veterinary teaching hospitals, private practitioners tended to use fewer anesthetic drugs, provide fewer analgesics, do more out-patient procedures, and rarely monitor blood pressure in anesthetized animals. CONCLUSION: Techniques of anesthesia and monitoring used in private veterinary practice are often quite different from those used in large university teaching hospitals.
RATIONALE FOR THE STUDY: To give academic faculty in anesthesia a better understanding of the anesthetic techniques used by veterinarians in private practice, in order to enhance their teaching of anesthesiology to veterinary students. METHODOLOGY: Two anesthesia faculty members visited 20 different small-animal veterinary practices, interviewing veterinarians and technical staff about their use of anesthesia and their anesthesia-related problems. RESULTS: Compared to most university veterinary teaching hospitals, private practitioners tended to use fewer anesthetic drugs, provide fewer analgesics, do more out-patient procedures, and rarely monitor blood pressure in anesthetized animals. CONCLUSION: Techniques of anesthesia and monitoring used in private veterinary practice are often quite different from those used in large university teaching hospitals.