Anesthesia at The Sams Clinic

The Sams Clinic anesthesia department is unique in that we have a Board Certified Anesthesiologist, Dr. Alexander Hawley, overseeing all cases being anesthetized. Our top priority is patient care and safety while providing pain relief for the surgical procedures performed.

Vigilant monitoring of patients is hallmark and many different monitoring techniques are employed. Electrocardiams (EKG or ECG), pulse oximetry (oxygen saturation of blood), blood pressure, capnometry (carbon dioxide levels), body temperature, and depth of anesthesia are constantly monitored in our anesthetized patients.

 

What is a Board-Certified Veterinary Anesthesiologist?

A Board-certified Veterinary Anesthesiologist is a veterinarian who has undergone special additional training in veterinary anesthesiology and pain control.

In addition to veterinary medical school, veterinary anesthesiologists have undergone a rigorous training program specializing in anesthesia and controlling pain in animals.

Upon completion of this three year program, a certification examination is required to become board-certified and a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesiologists (ACVA).

What are the benefits for my pet?

A board-certified veterinary anesthesiologist is an ally for your pet before, during and after surgery.

Because of their specialized training, veterinary anesthesiologists undertake your pet’s care during their anesthesia for various diagnostic procedures and surgery. Similar to human anesthesiologists, veterinary anesthesiologists intensively monitor patients and control pain before, during, and after anesthesia.

Monitoring vital signs during anesthesia and other intra-anesthesia care, such as intravenous fluids and blood pressure support, are imperative to the care and health of your pet.

Also, many anesthesiologists have advanced training in pain control in animals and assist your pet during chronic pain conditions such as osteoarthritis (also called OA). Chronic pain can be debilitating to our pets and veterinary anesthesiologists are available to help with your pet’s chronic pain condition.

Surgical Pain Control

For many years it was thought that animals were not able to feel pain because they were not able to communicate their pain verbally. The definition of pain has changed over the years to include animals. The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) defines pain as “An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage…” with the caveat that “The inability to communicate verbally does not negate the possibility that an individual is experiencing pain and is in need of appropriate pain-relieving treatment.” Animals communicate their pain through non-verbal means such as body language, posture, limping, and vocalization.

There are many ways to control pain before, during and after surgical procedures. One way which we control the pain and anxiety of a surgical procedure is through medications. There are a myriad of medications that help to reduce pain in animals. Often, by using several different medications that act through different mechanisms, we can use less total medication and have fewer side effects. In addition to these medications, we also employ local and regional blocks to supplement and reduce the systemic need for medication during and after surgery.

Read more on the Pain Management Clinic page

Epidural Anesthesia

For procedures involving the hindlimb and abdomen, epidural anesthesia can help decrease pain levels during and after surgery. A small area of hair is clipped on the animal over their lower back and through anatomical landmarks, we inject medication into the epidural space. This can significantly reduce the amount of post-operative systemic medication we need to administer and results in a more alert patient.

Brachial Plexus Block

For procedures involving the forelimb, a brachial plexus block can be used to provide additional pain control. The nerves supplying the front legs leave the spinal cord and travel together until an area just below the shoulder. Because of this, we can block those nerves that send painful information to the brain. This can significantly reduce the amount of post-operative systemic medication we need to administer and results in a more alert patient.

 

 

Intra-articular Anesthesia

For arthroscopic procedures, injections of medications into the joint can also help to supplement systemic medication during and after surgery. This helps with a quicker return to function and a happier patient.

 

 

Peripheral Nerve Blocks

For procedures on distal limbs near the carpus (wrist), tarsus (ankle), and digits (toes) blockade of nerves that supply these regions can be accomplished by utilizing anatomic landmarks. Blockade of these peripheral nerves can significantly reduce the amount of post-operative systemic medication we need to administer and results in a more alert patient.