North American Veterinary Anesthesia Society Podcast

In this special Thanksgiving episode of the North American Veterinary Anesthesia Society Podcast, we take a closer look at some long-standing traditions and practices in veterinary anesthesia. Joined by Dr. Tasha Bartel, veterinary anesthesiologist, chief medical officer at King Animal Hospital, and current NAVAS president, we explore myths, legends, and potentially outdated habits that have been passed down through generations. Together, we debate which of these “old recipes” still hold value and which might be ready for retirement. Grab your knife and fork as we dig into this thought-provoking discussion that challenges the status quo and encourages fresh perspectives in veterinary anesthesia.If you like what you hear, we have a couple of favors to ask of you:Become a member of NAVAS for access to more anesthesia and analgesia educational and RACE-approved CE content.Spread the word. Share our podcast on your socials or a discussion forum. That would really help us achieve our mission: Reduce mortality and morbidity in veterinary patients undergoing sedation, anesthesia, and analgesia through high-quality, peer-reviewed education.Thank you to our sponsor, Dechra - learn more about the pharmaceutical products Dechra has to offer veterinary professionals, such as Zenalpha.If you have questions about this episode or want to suggest topics for future episodes, reach out to the producers at [email protected] opinions stated by the host and their guests are theirs alone and do not represent the thoughts or opinions of any corporation, university, or other business or governmental entity.

Happy Halloween, and welcome to another chilling episode of the NAVAS podcast, where we venture into the eerie depths of veterinary anesthesia! Join us as we lift the curtain on a topic that, while vital to advanced anesthesia practice, often sends shivers down the spine of even the bravest veterinary professionals—neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) in veterinary patients. While paralytic agents play an important role in providing excellent quality muscle relaxation that can help facilitate a variety of procedures, their use often spooks even the seasoned anesthetist, as they can cause frightening problems if not used with great care. After listening to this episode, we hope you can avoid a jump scare anytime you need to use NMBA. Our guest for this spine-tingling episode is the highly esteemed Dr. Daniel Sakai from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Sakai, boarded veterinary anesthesiologist, has conducted extensive research on NMBAs, exploring their invaluable role in patient immobilization as well as how to optimize recovery from neuromuscular blockade. He’s here to help us demystify these powerful agents, dissect their practical applications, and reveal how to use them safely and effectively to prevent any nightmarish outcomes for your patients. So, as the leaves fall and the shadows lengthen, grab a cozy blanket, tune in, and get ready to learn from one of the top minds in veterinary anesthesia. Just be warned—this episode might leave you spellbound!If you like what you hear, we have a couple of favors to ask of you:Become a member of NAVAS for access to more anesthesia and analgesia educational and RACE-approved CE content.Spread the word. Share our podcast on your socials or a discussion forum. That would really help us achieve our mission: Reduce mortality and morbidity in veterinary patients undergoing sedation, anesthesia, and analgesia through high-quality, peer-reviewed education. Thank you to our sponsor, Dechra - learn more about the pharmaceutical products Dechra has to offer veterinary professionals, such as Zenalpha.If you have questions about this episode or want to suggest topics for future episodes, reach out to the producers at [email protected] opinions stated by the host and their guests are theirs alone and do not represent the thoughts or opinions of any corporation, university, or other business or governmental entity.

Welcome to another episode of the NAVAS podcast! How many times in your career, after recommending a surgical or dental procedure for a dog or cat, have you been asked whether a beloved aging pet was too old to be anesthetized? Today, we’re diving into a topic that many veterinary professionals encounter but may not always feel fully prepared for: anesthesia for senior dogs and cats. Older pets can present unique challenges when it comes to sedation and general anesthesia, and understanding how aging impacts their physiology is key to providing safe and effective care. In this episode, we have the honor of speaking with Dr. Sheliah Robertson, a veterinary anesthesiologist who is also board-certified in animal welfare and the senior medical director at Lap of Love, a network of veterinary at-home euthanasia and hospice care providers. Dr. Robertson brings a wealth of experience and insight into the world of anesthesia for geriatric pets. We’ll be discussing everything from anesthetic risks and frailty in older animals to how aging affects vital organ function and what that means for anesthesia protocols. This conversation is guaranteed to be packed with valuable information to enhance your understanding and improve outcomes for your older patients. Resources mentioned in this episode:Dr. Sheliah Robertson’s work at Lap of LoveThe ERAS Society (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery)Development of ERAS protocols for veterinary medicineA review article on improving postoperative sleepResearch on the effect of preoperative melatonin on the propofol dose required to induce anesthesia in dogsAn article on how pre-surgery rehabilitation effects surgical outcomes in aged patients If you like what you hear, we have a couple of favors to ask of you:Become a member of NAVAS for access to more anesthesia and analgesia educational and RACE-approved CE content. Spread the word. Share our podcast on your socials or a discussion forum. That would really help us achieve our mission: Reduce mortality and morbidity in veterinary patients undergoing sedation, anesthesia, and analgesia through high-quality, peer-reviewed education. As a reminder, the ACVAA Annual Meeting is happening in Denver, CO from September 25-27 later this year. Registration rates are discounted for NAVAS members. We hope to see you there! Sign up today!Thank you to our sponsor, Dechra - learn more about the pharmaceutical products Dechra has to offer veterinary professionals, such as Zenalpha.If you have questions about this episode or want to suggest topics for future episodes, reach out to the producers at [email protected]. All opinions stated by the host and their guests are theirs alone and do not represent the thoughts or opinions of any corporation, university, or other business or governmental entity.

Are you having a BRAT summer, because we sure are here on the NAVAS podcast! By BRAT, we mean Best Remedies for Analgesic Therapy! We’re excited to continue our discussion on post-operative pain control for dogs and cats. If you haven’t listened to part one of this conversation, please go back and listen before diving into this episode. We’re going to finish up our conversation on surgical pain management by discussing the nuances of NSAID use in cats, confronting some controversial opinions on Gabapentin, rave about local anesthetic agents, and introduce some pharmacologic and non-pharmacological therapies to help tackle acute pain for our patients. Joining us again is Dr. Melina Zimmerman, veterinary anesthesiologist and owner of The Doggy Gym, where she provides pain management therapies for all kinds of species. Pain management is so much more than “set and forget”, and we hope to convince you of that right here on the NAVAS podcast.References are made to the following resources in the episode:Our previous short episode on Nocita with Dr. Tammy Grubb.2022 ISFM consensus guidelines on managing acute pain in cats that has been endorsed by the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP): 2024 ISFM & AAPF consensus guidelines on long-term NSAID use in catsBuprenorphine as an additive agent with bupivacaine for certain dental blocks in dogsIf you like what you hear, we have a couple of favors to ask of you:Become a member of NAVAS for access to more anesthesia and analgesia educational and RACE-approved CE content. Spread the word. Share our podcast on your socials or a discussion forum. That would really help us achieve our mission: Reduce mortality and morbidity in veterinary patients undergoing sedation, anesthesia, and analgesia through high-quality, peer-reviewed education.As a reminder, the ACVAA Annual Meeting is happening in Denver, CO from September 25-27 later this year. Registration rates are discounted for NAVAS members. We hope to see you there! Sign up today!Thank you to our sponsor, Dechra - learn more about the pharmaceutical products Dechra has to offer veterinary professionals, such as Zenalpha.If you have questions about this episode or want to suggest topics for future episodes, reach out to the producers at [email protected] opinions stated by the host and their guests are theirs alone and do not represent the thoughts or opinions of any corporation, university, or other business or governmental entity.