The field of veterinary anesthesia, and the veterinary technician anesthetist’s role in anesthesia are advancing rapidly, making this book a very timely addition to my own personal library. The veterinary technician must be well educated in the management of anesthesia patients in order to anticipate, prevent, and treat adverse anesthetic events in a safe and timely manner.
All of the contributors to this book are well respected specialists in the field of veterinary anesthesia management. There are thirty-six chapters in this work offering a very comprehensive overview of animal anesthesia and important ancillary subjects. The book starts off with a brief review of cardiovascular and respiratory physiology. The next chapter discusses the pre-anesthetic workup including the importance of patient history, physical exam, risk assessment, and pre-anesthetic diagnostic testing. The chapter on mathematical calculations is a must for any technician serving in the capability of anesthesia technician. There are two chapters on monitoring parameters, including “Hands-on” monitoring in regards to electronic monitoring parameters. A chapter on intravenous access discusses catheter styles and placement site options (arterial and venous). Anesthesia equipment is discussed, including breathing systems, a chapter on manual/mechanical ventilation techniques, and another about airway maintenance. Pre-medications, fluid therapy, blood products, induction drugs, and inhalant anesthetics are discussed in detail. Of course, there is a necessary section on anesthetic complications and emergencies as well as separate chapters about anesthesia for patients with ophthalmological, cardiac, intracranial, renal, endocrine, and many other disorders. This really adds to this books value as a veterinary technician reference source. An overview of small exotic, equine and ruminant anesthesia is also included. This text is rounded out by several chapters on pain management including physiology, assessment, and management strategies that may be employed.
As a veterinary technician responsible for the supervision and training of veterinary staff, this text has become my “go-to” guide for all things anesthesia related. This book was intended for veterinary technicians of varying skill levels, and I think that the contributors have accomplished this very nicely. There are enough basics for the new graduate veterinary technician, while still having enough depth to allow the more seasoned veterinary technician to further develop his/her knowledge base in anesthesia. I would recommend this book for any veterinary technician that is responsible for anesthesia in veterinary practice as well as those who teach veterinary anesthesia to veterinary technicians and veterinary students. Veterinarians might find this book a refresher course on anesthesia management as well as an essential addition to their veterinary technicians' educational references.
Publisher: Wiley Blackwell (2010)
ISBN 978-0-8138-0586-3