Anesthesiology
About the Anesthesia Service at the K-State VHC
At the Kansas State University Veterinary Health Center we strive to provide safe and humane care to all animals that are admitted to the hospital for diagnosis or treatment. Many surgical or diagnostic procedures require the administration of anesthesia. The goal of anesthesia is to allow our veterinarians to perform those needed procedures while alleviating pain, minimizing stress and preventing suffering for the animal using a combination of anesthetic drugs and monitoring techniques uniquely selected for each patient to maximize safety during every procedure. The Anesthesia Service is committed to providing effective pain control for each patient before, during and after surgery. The Anesthesia Service is also integral to providing intensive care for animals with critical illness. All of these activities occur in the environment of a Veterinary Health Center where veterinary students in their final year of veterinary training experience the details of anesthetic administration, patient monitoring and pain management under the supervision of Anesthesia faculty and staff in order to achieve competency for veterinary practice.
What is a veterinary anesthesiologist?
Although all licensed veterinarians are qualified to administer anesthesia to their clinical patients, the KSU VHC is fortunate to have four veterinary anesthesiologists on faculty. Veterinary anesthesiologists are licensed veterinarians with an additional three years of specific anesthesia, pain management and critical care training that is undertaken after achieving their veterinary degree. Upon completion of anesthesia residency training these veterinarians are deemed specialists in veterinary anesthesia by the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia (ACVAA) after successful completion of a comprehensive certification examination. Successful candidates are granted Diplomate status in the ACVAA.
Anesthesia Staff
In addition to the faculty anesthesiologists, the Anesthesia Service employs veterinary technicians. All of our technicians are Registered Veterinary Technicians. They work under the supervision of the anesthesiologists to assist in anesthesia for clinical patients as well as instruction of fourth year veterinary students in anesthetic techniques and monitoring. Our anesthesia technicians are highly skilled and have extensive clinical experience in the administration of anesthetic drugs and managing the anesthetized patient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many clients have questions and concerns regarding anesthesia in their animal. Follow this link to review some frequently asked questions about veterinary anesthesia and what one might expect if their animal is to undergo anesthesia at the KSU VHC.
Veterinary Anesthesia Links
ACVAA
American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia defines the standards of anesthesia excellence for the veterinary profession, promotes advancement in veterinary anesthesia care and provides the latest in anesthesia educational programs. Only veterinarians who have successfully completed the certification requirements of the ACVAA are Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia and have earned the right to be called specialists in veterinary anesthesiology. Learn more about the ACVAA.