Anesthesia and pain management for veterinarians

Anesthesia and Pain Management Courses for Veterinarians & Critical Care

In the world of veterinary medicine, it is critical that veterinarians not only have excellent diagnostic and surgical skills, but also the ability to effectively manage pain in animals and safely perform anesthesia procedures. A specialized anesthesia and pain management course offers veterinarians the opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills in these important areas. In this article you will learn what such a course entails, why it is so important and how it can enrich your practice.

Why is an Anesthesia and Pain Management Course Important for Veterinarians?

Animals feel pain just like humans do, but cannot communicate it in the same way. Therefore, it is important that veterinarians be able to recognize the subtle signs of pain in animals and treat them accordingly. Adequate pain therapy not only improves the animals' quality of life, but can also significantly shorten recovery time after injuries or operations.

In addition, performing surgical procedures requires in-depth knowledge of anesthesia to minimize the risk of complications and ensure the safety of the animal. An anesthesia and pain management course equips veterinarians with the latest techniques and protocols to effectively address these challenges.

What do you learn in such an anesthesia and pain management course for veterinarians?

A comprehensive anesthesia and pain management course for veterinarians covers a wide range of topics including:

• Basics of Anesthesia: Understanding the different anesthetics, how they work, and best practices for pre- and post-care.
• Pain management: Recognition of pain symptoms in different animal species, development of individual pain management plans and use of medication and non-drug treatments.
• Emergency anesthesia: Dealing with emergency situations in which rapid action is required, taking into account the special risks.
• Anesthesia in special patient groups: Special features when anesthetizing old, young or sick animals as well as different animal species.
• Latest techniques and technologies: Introduction to the latest developments in the field of anesthesia and pain therapy.

How does this course enrich your practice?

By taking an anesthesia and pain management course, veterinarians can:

• Expand your skills and keep up to date with the latest veterinary medicine.
• Improve the safety and well-being of your animal patients.
• Increase the confidence of their customers by demonstrating their ability to effectively treat pain and safely perform surgical procedures.
• Increase the efficiency of your practice by reducing complications and shortening recovery times.

Conclusion on the Anesthesia and Pain Management Course for Veterinarians

An anesthesia and pain management course is a valuable investment for any veterinary practice. Not only does it offer the opportunity to deepen specialist knowledge and improve the quality of veterinary care, but it also helps to positively influence the lives of animal patients. If you are a veterinarian committed to providing the best possible care for your patients, taking a course like this is an important step on that journey.

Overview of anesthesia and pain management courses for veterinarians

The doc4petsacademy anesthesia courses are aimed at veterinarians in practice or in academia who want to deepen their knowledge and improve their practical skills in anesthesiology. The study program currently consists of 3 five-day modules. The courses consist of a mixture of theory, group work and practice on anesthesia machines and cadavers. Time is allocated for interactive and practical training under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Farghali, an internationally recognized specialist.

After participating in the program, participants should not only have acquired sufficient knowledge to manage most of the current pre-, peri- and postoperative anesthesia problems.
They have also acquired practical skills that enable them to practice state-of-the-art anesthesia. Anesthesia courses I and II can be taken in any order. All courses complement each other, but are not dependent on each other. Course III should only be attended after one of the other two courses has been completed.

Course program for all three courses available for download.

Course content Anesthesia and pain management for veterinarians I

Total hours : 40 Course language: English Program director/master course leader: Univ. Prof. Dr. Haithem AM Farghali max. number of participants: 10 Price for all five days: EUR 2,199 plus 19% VAT Course location: Idar-Oberstein Date: July 1st - July 5th, 2024 

Overview of the Anesthesia and Pain Management for Veterinarians I course

In this course we will focus on several key topics: the use and monitoring of anesthesia machines, the use of anesthetics and their protocols, local anesthesia techniques, perioperative management in both healthy and sick patients, and the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR ).

learning goals

After completing this course, participants will:

1. Have a comprehensive understanding of how anesthesia machines and medications work and how they are used on both healthy and sick small animal patients,
2. Have knowledge to optimize anesthesia management in your own practice,
3. Be able to perform effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation,
4. Be able to apply common local anesthesia procedures professionally.

Course program (subject to change)

Day one – anesthesia machine and monitoring

Time	Program point
08:00 – 09:00	Welcome and registration
09:00 – 09:45	Introduction to anesthesia in small animals
09:45 – 10:45	Anesthesia machine – how does it work?
10:45 – 11:15	coffe break
11:15 – 12:00	Cleaning, maintenance and checking of the anesthesia machine
12:00 – 12:30	Common problems/pitfalls with the anesthesia machine
12:30 – 13:30	lunch break
13:30 – 14:30	Monitoring the anesthesia patient (theory)
14:30 – 15:00	coffe break
15:00 – 17:15	Monitoring devices for the anesthesia patient (demonstration and practice)
17:30	ICEBREAKER

Day Two – Medications and Protocols

Time	Program point
09:00 – 10:15	Overview of relevant medications for anesthesia and perioperative management
10:15 – 10:45	coffe break
10:45 – 12:00	Anesthesia protocols for healthy patients
12:00 – 13:00	lunch break
13:00 – 14:00	Breed-specific considerations in cats and dogs, including brachycephalic patients
14:00 – 15:00	Anesthesia and perioperative management in guinea pigs and small rodents
15:00 – 15:30	coffe break
15:30 – 16:30	CASE
16:30 – 17:15	Case-related discussion

Day Three – Perioperative Management and CPR

Time	Program point
09:00 – 09:15	The importance of a thorough history and clinical evaluation
09:15 – 09:45	Perioperative temperature management – ​​How / Why?
09:45 – 10:15	coffe break
10:15 – 11:00	Airway management: intubation, laryngeal mask airway and tracheostomy
11:00 – 12:00	Placement and Interpretation of a Central Venous Catheter (Theory and Practice)
12:00 – 13:00	lunch break
13:00 – 13:45	This should be in your emergency cart!
13:45 – 14:45	CPR for dogs and cats – theory
14:45 – 15:15	coffe break
15:15 – 17:15	Practical session: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation in dogs and cats and teamwork in a critical situation
18:30	Dinner together

Fourth day – local anesthesia

Time	Program point
09:00 – 09:15	Introduction to local anesthesia and available medications
09:15 – 09:45	Local anesthesia on the thorax
09:45 – 10:45	Local anesthesia on the head
10:45 – 11:15	coffe break
11:15 – 12:30	Local anesthesia of the limbs and other clinically relevant local anesthesia
12:30 – 13:30	lunch break
13:30 – 15:00	Practical Session: Wet Lab – All Regions Local Anesthesia
15:00 – 15:30	coffe break
15:30 – 17:15	Practical Session: Wet Lab – All Regions Local Anesthesia

Day Five – Disease Management

Time	Program point
09:00 – 10:00	Anesthesia management in cardiac patients with case discussion
10:00 – 10:30	coffe break
10:30 – 11:15	Anesthesia management for cesarean section and newborn care
11:15 – 12:15	Anesthesia management in patients with renal and hepatic insufficiency
12:15 – 13:15	lunch break
13:15 – 14:00	Anesthesia, analgesia and perioperative management of the dog with GDV
14:00 – 14:45	Anesthesia management in dental patients including geriatric patients
14:45 – 15:15	Questions, discussion

Course content Anesthesia and pain management for veterinarians II

Total hours : 40 Course language: English Program director/master course leader: Univ. Prof. Dr. Haithem AM Farghali max. number of participants: 10 Price for all five days: EUR 2,199 plus 19% VAT Course location: Idar-Oberstein Date: September 9th - September 13th, 2024 

Overview of the Anesthesia and Pain Management for Veterinarians II course

In this course we will delve deeper into the physiology of breathing, oxygen supply and the sensation of pain. We also cover anesthesia in small animals, including the special features of birds and reptiles. In an interactive environment, we will discuss and discuss perioperative complications, monitoring techniques and case management, as well as fluid management before, during and after surgery.

learning goals

After completing this course, participants will:

1. understand how to correctly operate and adjust an anesthesia machine and how to ventilate patients properly,
2. be able to safely anesthetize various species of small mammals, birds and reptiles,
3. have in-depth knowledge of pain mechanisms, their recognition and treatment options,
4. be able to identify and respond appropriately to errors and complications during perioperative monitoring,
5. comprehensively understand when which crystalloid or colloid solutions should be used.

First day – breathing and ventilation

Time	Program point
08:30 – 09:00	Welcome and Introduction.
09:00 – 09:45	Introduction to small animal anesthesia: some definitions.
09:45 – 10:30	Clinically relevant physiology of ventilation and perfusion.
10:30 – 11:00	coffe break
11:00 – 11:45	Interpretation of blood gas analysis: pH, CO2, O2.
11:45 – 12:15	Brief explanation of the ventilator settings.
12:15 – 13:15	lunch break
13:15 – 14:15	When and how do I ventilate a patient?
14:15 – 14:45	coffe break
14:45 – 17:00	Practical session: Ventilating a patient, introduction to ventilators, manual ventilation and strategies - all.

Second day – anesthesia of different species

Time	Program point
08:30 – 09:30	What's so special about cats? Anesthesia affects feline patients.
09:30 – 10:15	Anesthesia management in the ferret.
10:15 – 10:45	coffe break
10:45 – 11:30	Anesthesia management in rabbits.
11:30 – 12:15	Anesthesia of hedgehogs, squirrels and other wild animals.
12:15 – 13:15	lunch break
13:15 – 14:15	Anesthesia management in birds and reptiles.
14:15 – 14:30	coffe break
14:30 – 15:30	What's new in small animal anesthesia? Update and a look into the future.
15:30 – 15:45	coffe break
15:45 – 17:00	Common Anesthesia Mistakes: This Can Happen to Anyone!

Third day – pain

Time	Program point
08:30 – 9:15	Introduction to pain physiology, pathology and chronic pain
09:15 – 10:45	The ABCs of Analgesics and Other General Strategies for Managing Pain
10:45 – 11:15	coffe break
11:15 – 12:45	1×1 of pain detection
12:45 – 13:45	lunch break
13:45 – 14:45	Practical exercise: Workup of an acute and chronic pain patient.
14:45 – 15:15	coffe break
15:15 – 16:00	CASUS case.
16:00 – 17:00	It's time for a quiz: How would you do it?

Day Four – Complications, monitoring and case management

Time	Program point
08:30 – 09:30	1×1 Blood pressure & cause and treatment of abnormal findings.
09:30 – 10:00	coffe break
10:00 – 11:00	1×1 Capnography & cause and treatment of abnormal findings.
11:00 – 12:00	1×1 Electrocardiography & Cause and Treatment of Abnormal Findings.
12:00 – 13:00	lunch break
13:00 – 14:00	1×1 pulse oximetry & cause and treatment of abnormal findings.
14:00 – 15:00	Anesthesia management of a patient for a thoracotomy.
15:00 – 15:30	coffe break
15:30 – 16:15	Anesthesia management of a patient with head trauma.
16:15 – 17:00	Case discussion

Day Five – Perioperative fluid management

Time	Program point
08:30 – 09:30	Perioperative infusion management and major electrolyte abnormalities.
09:30 – 10:00	coffe break
10:00 – 10:45	Blood products, transfusions and colloidal solutions.
10:45 – 12:00	Case discussion.
12:00 – 12:30	Questions and conclusion
12:30 – 13:30	Lunch and farewell

Course content Anesthesia and pain management for veterinarians III

Total hours : 40 Course language: English Program director/master course leader: Univ. Prof. Dr. Haithem AM Farghali max. number of participants: 10 Price for all five days: EUR 2,199 plus 19% VAT Course location: Idar-Oberstein Date: November 11th - November 15th, 2024 

Overview of the Anesthesia and Pain Management for Veterinarians III course

The focus of this course is interdisciplinary case studies that offer participants the opportunity to discuss treatment methods from different perspectives: Which aspects are crucial in the emergency room? How should anesthesia be optimally carried out? And what details do you need to pay particular attention to during postoperative intensive care? During a half-day practical workshop (wet lab), participants have the opportunity to learn and practice various essential techniques for the care of emergency patients, including thoracentesis, various local anesthesia procedures, the insertion of esophageal and cystostomy tubes and much more more.

learning goals

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

1. To effectively stabilize small animal patients with a wide range of clinical problems such as Cushing's syndrome, FLUDT, trauma, hemoabdomen, sepsis, heat stroke, smoke inhalation and dyspnea, to safely induce anesthesia if necessary and to provide intensive care after a surgical procedure.
2. To carry out humane euthanasia on seriously suffering patients.
3. Respond correctly to accidental anesthetic overdose.

This course is the final of three recommended courses necessary to obtain certification in anesthesiology, pain management, and emergency and critical care. To get the maximum benefit from this course, we strongly recommend that you take at least one of the other Anesthesia and Pain Management courses beforehand.

Course program (subject to change)

Day One – Anesthesia Case Management

Time	Program point
08:30 – 09:15	Welcome and Introduction
09:15 – 10:15	Regurgitation and aspiration during anesthesia
10:00 – 10:30	COFFE BREAK
10:30 – 11:15	Anesthesia in obese and cachectic patients
11:15 – 12:00	Anesthesia management in a patient with Cushing's syndrome
12:00 – 13:00	LUNCH BREAK
13:00 – 13:45	Anesthesia management in a patient with a history of seizures
13:45 – 14:30	Malignant hyperthermia – does it exist in anesthesia of small animals?
14:30 – 15:00	COFFE BREAK
15:00 – 16:15	Anesthesia management for patients with adrenal tumors
16:15 – 17:00	Management of the patient during laparoscopic procedures
17:30	END

Day Two – Euthanasia, Overdose, FLUTD

Time	Program point
8:30 – 9:15	“Technical” aspects of euthanasia
9:15 – 10:00	Customer communication in difficult situations
10:00 – 10:30	COFFE BREAK
10:30 – 11:15	Procedure in the event of an anesthetic overdose
11:15 – 12:00	Strategies to avoid accidental medication administration
12:00 – 13:00	LUNCH BREAK
13:00 – 13:45	Stabilization of the patient with FLUTD
13:45 – 14:30	Anesthesia of the patient with FLUTD
14:30 – 15:00	COFFE BREAK
15:00 – 15:45	Postoperative care of patients with FLUTD
16:15 – 17:00	Blood gas discussion

Day Three – Trauma, FAST, Hemoabdomen

Time	Program point
8:30 – 9:15	Case: Initial assessment and stabilization of the trauma patient
9:15 – 10:00	Case: Anesthesia and analgesia of the trauma patient
10:00 – 10:30	COFFE BREAK
10:30 – 11:30	Case: Stabilization, treatment and follow-up of the patient with hemoabdomen
11:30 – 12:00	Autotransfusion options
12:00 – 13:00	COFFE BREAK
13:00 – 13:45	TFAST / AFAST: Theory
13:45 – 14:40	TFAST / AFAST: Presentation
14:45 – 15:15	COFFE BREAK
15:15 – 16:30	Discussion: Use of antibiotics in the intensive care unit and in anesthesia
18:30	DINNER

Day Four – Sepsis, wet lab

Time	Program point
8:30 – 10:00	Case: Acute abdominal / sepsis: initial care, diagnostics, stabilization
10:00 – 10:30	COFFE BREAK
10:30 – 11:15	Case: Anesthesia considerations and monitoring in septic patients
11:15 – 12:00	Case: Critical care of the septic patient
12:00 – 13:00	LUNCH BREAK
13:00 – 17:00	Practical Session: Wet Lab Training, Local Blocks, Thoracentesis, Chest Drainage, Central Venous Catheter, Vein Section, Cerebrospinal Fluid Collection, Intraosseous Catheter, Cystotomy Probe Placement, Esophageal Tube Placement (COFFEE BREAK in between)

Day Five – Environmental Hazards, Diaphragmatic Hernia

Time	Program point
8:30 – 9:15	The patient with heat stroke: pathophysiology and diagnosis
9:15 – 10:00	Treating the patient with heat stroke
10:00 – 10:30	COFFE BREAK
10:30 – 11:15	Treating patients with smoke inhalation or diving injuries/drowning
11:15 – 12:00	Treating the patient with anaphylaxis
12:00 – 13:00	LUNCH BREAK
13:00 – 13:45	Case: First stabilization of the patient with severe dyspnea
13:45 – 14:30	Case: Anesthesia in a patient with a diaphragmatic hernia
14:30 – 15:00	Questions/Comments
DEPARTURE

Summary Anesthesia and Pain Management for Veterinarians

Anesthesia and pain management for veterinarians are essential areas in veterinary medicine that enable veterinarians to provide the best possible care to their patients. The importance of anesthesia and pain management for veterinarians cannot be overstated as they directly impact animal welfare and recovery. A thorough knowledge of anesthesia and pain management is essential for veterinarians to be able to safely perform surgical procedures.

Through specialized courses in anesthesia and pain management for veterinarians, professionals can deepen their expertise and stay up to date with the latest technology. Anesthesia and pain management for veterinarians contribute significantly to improving animal health. It is important for veterinarians to tailor anesthesia and pain management to each patient to achieve optimal results. Continuing education in anesthesia and pain management for veterinarians strengthens pet owners' trust in veterinary practice. Anesthesia and pain management for veterinarians are key factors for successful treatment and rapid recovery of animals.

The constant development in anesthesia and pain management for veterinarians enables innovative treatment methods. Anesthesia and pain management for veterinarians are essential for performing complex surgical procedures. Proper use of anesthesia and pain management for veterinarians can significantly improve animals' quality of life. Anesthesia and pain management for veterinarians play a central role in emergency medicine.

The combination of anesthesia and pain management for veterinarians is critical to minimizing stress and anxiety in animals. Anesthesia and pain management for veterinarians are essential parts of pre- and post-operative care. In conclusion, it can be said that anesthesia and pain management for veterinarians represent fundamental pillars in modern veterinary medicine that make a decisive contribution to promoting animal welfare.