Lesson 1Principles of balanced anaesthesia and multimodal analgesia for dogs and catsThis section outlines principles of balanced anaesthesia and multi-way pain relief, combining sedatives, opioids, local blocks, and extras to lower gas needs, boost stability, and better comfort in dog and cat neuter patients in Botswana.
Concept of balanced anesthesia in neuteringDesigning multimodal analgesia plansReducing inhalant MAC with adjunct drugsCombining systemic and local techniquesProtocol examples for dogs and catsEvaluating depth versus analgesia adequacyLesson 2Analgesic dosing in dogs versus cats and timing for pre-emptive analgesiaThis section compares painkiller doses and timing in dogs and cats, stressing species differences, early giving, repeat intervals, and combining with local blocks for good pain control around neuter surgeries in local practices.
Species differences in opioid dosingNSAID selection and dose adjustmentsTiming of pre-emptive analgesic administrationRedosing intervals and duration of effectCombining systemic drugs with local blocksAvoiding overdose and drug stacking errorsLesson 3Perioperative analgesia: opioids, NSAIDs, local blocks (e.g., intratesticular, spermatic cord, line blocks), and adjunctsThis section focuses on pain relief around surgery for neutering, covering opioid and NSAID use, local numbing like intratesticular and line blocks, plus extras like ketamine and lidocaine drips for multi-way pain control.
Opioid choices for intraoperative analgesiaNSAID timing, selection, and safety checksIntratesticular and spermatic cord blocksLine blocks for ovariohysterectomy incisionsAdjunct infusions: ketamine and lidocaineMonitoring for local anesthetic toxicityLesson 4Recovery and post-anaesthetic monitoring: criteria for extubation, pain scoring, and when to escalate careThis section explains safe recovery after neutering, including when to remove the tube, pain scoring, body warmth control, and when to step up care or re-anaesthetise, for smooth shift from sleep to walking in clinics.
Extubation criteria and airway protectionPositioning, thermoregulation, and nursing careUse of pain scales in dogs and catsRecognizing dysphoria versus true painWhen to escalate monitoring or re-anesthetizeDischarge criteria and client instructionsLesson 5Managing anaesthesia-related complications: hypotension, hypoventilation, bradycardia, arrhythmias, hypothermiaThis section addresses spotting and handling common sleep complications in neutering, like low blood pressure, shallow breathing, slow heart, irregular beats, and low body heat, with step-by-step fixes and when to stop the procedure.
Identifying and treating hypotensionApproach to hypoventilation and apneaBradycardia: when to treat and howRecognition and response to arrhythmiasPrevention and treatment of hypothermiaWhen to pause or abort the procedureLesson 6Monitoring during anaesthesia: parameters (HR, RR, SpO2, EtCO2, blood pressure, temperature), equipment and interpretationThis section covers monitoring during surgery for neutering, including heart rate, breathing rate, oxygen levels, CO2, blood pressure, and temperature, with tips on setup, fixing issues, and reading signs to catch early problems.
ECG and heart rate monitoring basicsRespiratory rate, capnography, and EtCO2Pulse oximetry setup and artifact handlingNoninvasive and invasive blood pressureTemperature monitoring and active warmingRecording trends and responding to changesLesson 7Induction agents: propofol, alfaxalone, ketamine combinations—indications and dosing examplesThis section details choices for starting anaesthesia in neutering, like propofol, alfaxalone, and ketamine mixes, with reasons, warnings, dose examples, adjusting amounts, and changes for weak or young patients in Botswana.
Propofol dosing and titration to effectAlfaxalone protocols in dogs and catsKetamine-benzodiazepine combinationsInduction in pediatric and geriatric patientsManaging hypotension during inductionIV access, preoxygenation, and airway controlLesson 8Maintenance strategies: inhalant anaesthesia (isoflurane/sevoflurane) vs TIVA—settings and practical considerationsThis section compares gas maintenance with isoflurane or sevoflurane to full IV anaesthesia, discussing settings, drip plans, equipment, and practical choices for neutering in different clinic setups across Botswana.
Setting and adjusting vaporizer concentrationsCircuit choice and fresh gas flow ratesTIVA protocols and infusion calculationsTransitioning between TIVA and inhalantsManaging depth changes during surgeryEquipment checks and oxygen supply planningLesson 9Premedication options: sedatives, analgesics, anticholinergics—drug choices, routes, and dose rangesThis section reviews pre-med planning for neutering, covering sedatives, opioids, alpha-2 drugs, anticholinergics, and extras, stressing choices, ways to give, dose ranges, and fitting to patient condition and procedure time.
Choosing sedatives by temperament and healthOpioid selection and dose rangesAlpha-2 agonists: pros, cons, and reversalsAnticholinergic indications and contraindicationsIM, IV, SC, and oral premedication routesAdjusting doses for age and ASA status
