• DVM360_Conference_Charlotte,NC_banner
  • ACVCACVC
  • DVM 360
  • Fetch DVM 360Fetch DVM 360
DVM 360
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
By Role
AssociatesOwnersPractice ManagerStudentsTechnicians
Subscriptions
dvm360 Newsletterdvm360 Magazine
News
All News
Association
Breaking News
Education
Equine
FDA
Law & Ethics
Market Trends
Medical
Politics
Products
Recalls
Regulatory
Media
dvm360 LIVE!™
Expert Interviews
The Vet Blast Podcast
Medical World News
Pet Connections
The Dilemma Live
Vet Perspectives™
Weekly Newscast
dvm360 Insights™
Publications
All Publications
dvm360
Firstline
Supplements
Vetted
Clinical
All Clinical
Anesthesia
Animal Welfare
Behavior
Cardiology
CBD in Pets
Dentistry
Dermatology
Diabetes
Emergency & Critical Care
Endocrinology
Equine Medicine
Exotic Animal Medicine
Feline Medicine
Gastroenterology
Imaging
Infectious Diseases
Integrative Medicine
Nutrition
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Pain Management
Parasitology
Surgery
Toxicology
Urology & Nephrology
Virtual Care
Business
All Business
Business & Personal Finance
Hospital Design
Personnel Management
Practice Finances
Practice Operations
Wellbeing & Lifestyle
Continuing Education
Conferences
Conference Listing
Conference Proceedings
Upcoming dvm360 Conferences
Resources
CBD in Pets
CE Requirements by State
Contests
Partners
Spotlight Series
Team Meeting in a Box
Toolkit
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vet to Vet
Veterinary Heroes
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Advertisement
By Role
  • Associates
  • Owners
  • Practice Manager
  • Students
  • Technicians
Subscriptions
  • dvm360 Newsletter
  • dvm360 Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us
  • MJHLS Brand Logo

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences™ and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

How to: Up your anesthesia game as a veterinary technician

August 8, 2018
Tasha McNerney, BS, CVT, CVPP, VTS (anesthesia and analgesia)

An original Veterinary Anesthesia Nerd says 'that's just the way we've always done it' is a bad basis for anesthetic protocols.

Fetch dvm360 conference speaker Tasha McNerney, BS, CVT, CVPP, VTS (anesthesia and analgesia), spends a lot of time training and consulting at clinics, so she's had the chance to see many veterinary teams in action. Based on her real-world observations, here are three things she wishes vet techs would stop doing right now.

Stop stressing out your patients (and yourself)

There's more than one way to get results in the clinic. And if your way is a dreadful pain, it's time to switch things up. McNerney gives the example of placing an IV catheter in a large dog.

"With the Fear Free movement and all kinds of low-stress handling techniques and resources, we owe it to our patients, as well as ourselves, to make this experience the least stressful as possible," she says.

McNerney urges you to seek out guidance for these techniques, and remember that in certain cases it's perfectly acceptable to sedate patients before stressful procedures.

More McNerney manifestations

Coffee on the Couch: A conversation with veterinary technician Tasha McNerney.

An anesthesia nerd's favorite products.

Back Office Blunders, Episode 9: The overeager educator.

Take it easy with the atropine

The use of atropine is an appropriate measure for anesthetic and other emergencies, McNerney says, but adding the drug to a patient's pre-med protocol by rote motion isn't necessary.

"If you're still including atropine in your pre-med just because 'that's the way we've done it for 20 years,' get with the times," she says.

McNerney implores you to do your research. It will reveal the dangers of atropine overuse, she says.

Don't be afraid of dexmedetomidine

"Look on the label," McNerney says. Dexmedetomidine provides for more than just sedation, and the drug works well in concert with other medications.

"When you combine dexmedetomidine and opioids into your pre-med, you get great sedation and great analgesia," she says.

Click the video for more information.

Advertisement

You. Can. Do. This!

At Fetch dvm360 conference, we're the support system you need. With every conference this year, we intend to nurture your mind (meaning quality CE for days) while also encouraging you to take stock of your physical and emotional health. Register now.

Related Content:

Expert InterviewsTechnicians
The four-letter word to why you're burning out and feeling unproductive
The four-letter word to why you're burning out and feeling unproductive
Performing and calculating a PCV
Performing and calculating a PCV
Brief overview of acid-base interpretation
Brief overview of acid-base interpretation

Advertisement

Latest News

The four-letter word to why you're burning out and feeling unproductive

Merck Manuals recognizes importance of One Health concept

Topical therapy and immunotherapy can save time and frustration with dermatology cases

Texas Tech appoints new faculty member with passion for animal agriculture

View More Latest News
Advertisement