Anesthesia and Pain Management

Anesthesia is necessary for animal patients undergoing surgical and many medical procedures such as endoscopy, biopsies, and advanced imaging such as CT and MRI. Each patient is unique in their age, breed, health status and personality so it’s important for each patient to be provided an individualized plan that incorporates the latest research in both anesthesia and pain management. Our service includes an anesthesiologist, as well as several experienced veterinary technicians. For every patient she is directly supervising, the anesthesiologist reviews each patient’s history and anesthetic/pain management needs and provides supervision of anesthesia.

VSH uses state-of-the-art monitoring equipment to evaluate cardiovascular and pulmonary function, intravenous fluids for maintenance of hydration and cardiovascular support and provides the most up to date preventative and therapeutic pain management. Our anesthesiologist has expertise in anesthetizing patients will intracranial, cardiac disease, endocrine disease, kidney and liver failure, trauma patients and so much more. Each of these disease processes affects the body in different ways and requires different types of management intra-operatively.

We are dedicated to minimizing anesthetic risk and providing the patient with the most optimal post-operative pain management.

• In-hospital anesthetic case supervision/management
• Anesthesia protocol review and consultation
• Pre, intra and postoperative pain assessment and management
• Continuing education for VSH staff, and outside veterinarians and veterinary technicians

Pain Management and Consultation

VSH Anesthesiologist Dr. Amber Hopkins is now taking appointments for acute and chronic pain management consultation. Pain consultation will be available by phone for referring veterinarians as well as by appointment for client referral. Depending on the underlying condition, the duration of pain, the severity of pain, patient sensitivity to prescription medications, and client expectations, some painful conditions can be helped. Particularly challenging pain cases such as cancer pain, chronic orthopedic pain, pain of neurogenic origin, or patients intolerant of traditional prescription medications are just a few of the commonly referred cases.

Once referred, a thorough evaluation of the patient's history, previous medical conditions, recent diagnostics and therapies will be reviewed, followed by a full patient examination. Examination will include observation of patient ambulation, general behavior, posture (kyphosis, low head carriage etc.), palpation of muscle tone, orthopedic and neurological examination. Treatments may include anything from massage, trigger point release, class IV laser therapy, acupuncture with or without electrostimulation, basic physical rehabilitation recommendations, dietary changes, prescription or nutriceutical recommendations and much more.