Guidelines for safer anaesthesia
Practical, evidence-informed resources supporting safer anaesthesia for veterinary patients.
Guideline Documents
The AVA guidelines for safer anaesthesia are designed to make it easier for veterinary practices and pet owners alike to understand what best practice in veterinary anaesthesia should involve.
For pet owners
We hope this can allow appreciation of the necessary steps required for a pet to receive a safer anaesthetic, and the time, skills and money involved with providing this.
For veterinary practices
We hope it can promote evaluation and where necessary changes, as well as providing a framework for discussion of services with owners.
Guidelines for safer anaesthesia
Guideline Documents
DownloadGuidelines for safer anaesthesia – 中文版
Guideline Documents
DownloadFurther information for veterinary staff
Further information for veterinary staff
DownloadFurther information for veterinary staff – 中文版
Further information for veterinary staff
DownloadAVA Anaesthesia Records
The AVA have produced patient safety checklists and general anaesthesia recording charts for use prior to and during anaesthesia. These resources are recommended by the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme.
* Financial and logistical support for this project was provided by AniCura.
The design and content of these records was independent of any sponsor and we are indebted to the many members of the profession who helped design, translate and proof-read these records.
Evidence Base Statement
Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists
Information provided here is based on best available evidence where possible, as referenced. Where sufficient data is not available to support the information provided, a team of AVA endorsed veterinary anaesthesia professionals have verified the information as best practice. The team members are as follows:
Susanna Taylor RVN, VTS(Anesthesia/Analgesia), NCert A&CC, PGCert (Vet Ed), FHEA (Project Chair)
Helen Benney RVN, Dip HE CVN, Dip AVN, VTS(Anesthesia/Analgesia)
Georgina Beaumont BVSc(Hons), MANZCVS(VA&CC), Dip.ECVAA, MRCVS
Elisa Bortolami DVM, PhD, Dip.ECVAA, MRCVS
Vicky Ford-Fennah BSc(Hons), RVN, VTS(Anesthesia/Analgesia), A1, VPAC
William Mcfadzean BVetMed, CertAVP(VA), MRCVS
References
- Redondo, J.I., Suesta, P., Serra, I., et al., 2012. Retrospective study of the prevalence of postanaesthetic hypothermia in dogs. Veterinary Record, 171(15), pp.374–374.
- Armstrong, S.R., Roberts, B.K. & Aronsohn, M., 2005. Perioperative hypothermia.
Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, 15(1), pp.32–37.
Available at:://WOS:000227351000006. Brodbelt, D.C. et al., 2008. The risk of death: The confidential enquiry into perioperative small animal fatalities. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia, 35(5), pp.365–373. Davis, H. et al., 2013. 2013 AAHA/AAFP fluid therapy guidelines for dogs and cats. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, 49, pp.149–159. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23645543. Mathews, K. et al., 2014. Guidelines for Recognition, Assessment and Treatment of Pain. Journal of Small Animal Practice, (June), p.10.1111/jsap.12200. Available at: http://www.wsava.org/sites/default/files/jsap_0.pdf. McMillan, M., 2014. Checklists in veterinary anaesthesia: why bother? The Veterinary Record, 175(22), pp.556–9. Available at: http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/content/175/22/556.full. Redondo, J.I., Suesta, P., Gil, L., et al., 2012. Retrospective study of the prevalence of postanaesthetic hypothermia in cats. Veterinary Record, 170(8), pp.206–206.