Think Anesthesia Podcast

In the podcast “Preparing for Anesthesia” Dr. Martinez discusses her recommendations for preparing the patient for anesthesia. Topics discussed include obtaining informed owner consent, recommended pre-anesthetic fasting times, selection of laboratory and diagnostic tests, and the advantages of using safety checklists. Upon completion of the podcast, the attendee will be able to confidently optimize their process for patient assessment and preparation in designing an individualized anesthetic plan.

This podcast is Part 1 of a 2-part series on premedication focusing on the selection and use of sedatives and tranquilizers prior to anesthesia in dogs and cats. Topics discussed include the benefits of premedication and a review of commonly used sedatives and tranquilizers. Upon completion of the podcast, the listener will be able to use their understanding of the pharmacology and clinical effects of acepromazine, benzodiazepines, and dexmedetomidine to develop individualized premedication drug regimens for their patients.

This podcast is Part 2 of a 2-part series on premedication focusing on the selection and use of opioids prior to anesthesia in dogs and cats. Topics discussed include the rationale for providing preemptive analgesia and a review of commonly-used opioids. Upon completion of this podcast, the listener will be able to use their understanding of the pharmacology and clinical effects of schedule 2 and non-schedule 2 opioids to develop individualized premedication drug regimens for their patients.

While there is some truth to the adage, “the safest anesthetic is the one you know best,” there is not one anesthetic induction protocol that is appropriate for every patient. Patient co-morbidities and drug availability may also limit induction drug choices. Therefore, it is important to be comfortable with multiple induction strategies. This podcast focuses on the selection and use of anesthesia induction drugs in dogs and cats. Topics discussed include the attributes of the ideal induction drug and a review of commonly used induction drugs including alfaxalone, propofol, and dissociative drugs. Upon completion of the podcast, the listener will be able to use their understanding of the pharmacology and clinical effects of these drugs to develop individualized anesthetic plans for their patients. Half a credit of RACE-approved CE will be given for listening to this episode and successfully completing a short quiz.

Visit www.thinkanesthesia.education/podcast/4 to complete the CE Quiz.

This podcast focuses on the commonly used anesthesia maintenance drugs for veterinary species. The episode will review anesthetic maintenance with inhalant drugs, beginning with defining and discussing the concept of minimum alveolar concentration (MAC). The differences and similarities of isoflurane and sevoflurane will be discussed, as well as information on the use of desflurane and nitrous oxide. The technique and drugs used for partial and total intravenous anesthesia will also be discussed. Upon completion of the podcast, the listener will be able to use their understanding of the pharmacology and clinical effects of these drugs to develop individualized anesthetic plan for their patients. Half a credit of RACE-approved CE will be given for listening to this episode and successfully completing a short quiz.

Join Dr. Elizabeth Martinez, board-certified specialist in veterinary anesthesia and analgesia, for this episode ‘Recovery from Anesthesia,’ Dr. Martinez discusses the importance of maintaining vigilance from the time the maintenance anesthetic is discontinued until the patient is ready to go home. From a patient that is waking up too quickly to a patient that is taking too long, this episode will review how to mitigate the risk of complications and how to monitor and support a patient as they recover from anesthesia.  One-quarter credit of RACE-approved CE will be given for listening to this episode and successfully completing a short quiz.

Are stressed or fractious patients making you frazzled? Join Dr. Elizabeth Martinez, board-certified specialist in veterinary anesthesia and analgesia, for the episode ‘Anesthesia Starts at Home.’ Dr. Martinez discusses how to optimize the patient and pet owner experience by starting the anesthesia process prior to admission to the veterinary clinic.  Clinical use of drugs available for at-home anxiolysis and sedation for fearful and anxious pets and strategies for the management of the aggressive patient will be presented, as well as the use of antiemetics and considerations for the administration of chronic medications prior to anesthesia. 

Seeking a sustainable surgical suite? The Think Anesthesia Veterinary Continuing Education podcast episode "Going Green in the Surgical Suite" will provide listeners with information on how to reduce the environmental impact of their activities in the surgical suite while maintaining high standards for safe patient care. Join Dr. Elizabeth Martinez, board-certified specialist in veterinary anesthesia and analgesia, as she discusses how our environmental impact can be minimized by learning strategies to reduce the use of inhalant anesthetics. You will learn what supplies and equipment used in the surgical suite can be recycled or reused and how to maximize environmental sustainability by reducing drug and energy waste.

This podcast is a shelter anesthesia expert panel discussion on bridging the gaps between shelter and general practice anesthesia. Our panelists have dedicated their veterinary careers to providing care, and second chances, to the nation’s homeless pet population. They include: Dr. Erin Katribe, medical director of Best Friends Animal Society, Dr. Emily McCobb, DACVAA, co-section head for Community Medicine and Director of the Luke and Lily Lerner Spay Neuter Clinic at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, and Dr. Sadie Scott, medical director and chief veterinarian at Kansas City Pet Project and owner of Family Pet Hospital, in the Kansas City area. Topics discussed involve overcoming common challenges involving budgets, staffing and drug limitations, maintaining optimal anesthetic and analgesic care, and how as veterinary professionals to be more involved in shelter programs.

Join Think Anesthesia® for a Fireside Chat featuring speakers from the 2021 Think Anesthesia® Virtual Conference. Moderated by Dr. Elizabeth Martinez, our group of expert panelists answer the most asked questions from the conference, including pre-hospital sedation, treating intraoperative hypotension, practical options for topical anesthesia for IV catheterization, and what anesthesia monitor everyone should have in their clinic. Panelists will also discuss how to introduce what you have learned to implement changes in your clinic protocols to optimize the anesthetic experience for the patient, client, and veterinary care team.