Observations of private veterinary practices in Colorado, with an emphasis on anesthesia

Abstract

Rationale for the study: To give academic faculty in anesthesia a better understanding of the anesthetic techniques used by veterinarians in private practice, in order to enhance their teaching of anesthesiology to veterinary students.

Methodology: Two anesthesia faculty members visited 20 different small-animal veterinary practices, interviewing veterinarians and technical staff about their use of anesthesia and their anesthesia-related problems.

Results: Compared to most university veterinary teaching hospitals, private practitioners tended to use fewer anesthetic drugs, provide fewer analgesics, do more out-patient procedures, and rarely monitor blood pressure in anesthetized animals.

Conclusion: Techniques of anesthesia and monitoring used in private veterinary practice are often quite different from those used in large university teaching hospitals.