New Veterinary Certificate in Anesthesia and Sedation is Launched

A new Veterinary certificate program, Foundations of Anesthesia and Sedation Veterinary Certificate, has been launched to enhance anesthesia competency in U.S. Veterinary practices. Developed by Parnell and IGNITE Veterinary Solutions, the self-paced program includes 10 modules covering topics like sedation, anesthesia machine setup, pharmacology, and patient monitoring. Participants earn 10 RACE-approved continuing education (CE) credits while accessing videos, quizzes, and downloadable resources. The initiative addresses the lack of standardized anesthesia training for Veterinary professionals.

A 2023 global study on anesthetic-related deaths in dogs found that 81% of deaths occurred postoperatively, with an overall mortality rate of 0.69%. Risk factors included age, obesity, higher ASA classification, and urgent or unscheduled procedures. Lower mortality was linked to specific sedatives and locoregional anesthesia. The study highlights the importance of patient evaluation, drug selection, and monitoring in reducing risks, emphasizing the need for improved anesthesia protocols and further research to enhance patient safety.