Course Overview
VET 431 provides advanced training in anesthesia and operative surgery. Students develop competency in pre-operative assessment, airway management, inhalant and injectable anesthetics, local and regional anesthetic techniques, and intra-operative monitoring (ECG, blood pressure, end-tidal CO2, oxygen saturation, body temperature). The course covers perioperative complications (malignant hyperthermia, anesthetic reactions) and recovery management. Laboratory and clinical rotations emphasize safe anesthetic protocols for diverse animal species and surgical procedures.
Learning Objectives
- Conduct thorough pre-anesthetic assessment (ASA classification, drug interactions)
- Master inhalant anesthetics (halothane, isoflurane, sevoflurane) and pharmacokinetics
- Understand injectable anesthetics: propofol, ketamine, barbiturates, etomidate
- Perform airway management: intubation, laryngeal mask airways, oxygen supplementation
- Administer local anesthetics and regional blocks (epidural, brachial plexus, line blocks)
- Monitor vital signs intra-operatively: ECG, blood pressure, capnography, pulse oximetry
- Manage perioperative complications: malignant hyperthermia, anesthetic reactions, hypothermia
- Provide safe recovery and pain management post-operatively
- Perform common surgical procedures: ovariohysterectomy, castration, laceration repair