The current VIN date & time: Eastern

VIN ANES114-0922: Clinical Use of Perioperative Drugs in the Small Animal Patient: Real-World Applications

The lectures for this course will be presented in an audio format using a webinar platform.

Presenters: Kris Kruse-Elliott, DVM, PhD, DACVAA (course coordinator)
Nancy Brock, DVM, DACVAA
Lydia Love, DVM, DACVAA
Heidi L. Shafford, DVM, PhD, DACVAA
Course Open: September 20-November 5, 2022
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Tuesdays, September 27, October 4, 18, and 25, 2022; 8:00-10:00 pm ET (USA) World Clock Converter
Total CE Credit: 8
RACE Category: 8 hours Medical


Enrollment is closed.  

Tuition: Member $184 ($166 early bird special if enrolled by September 6, 2022)
Non-Member $292 ($263 early bird special if enrolled by September 6, 2022)
Prices are listed in US dollars.


Course Information:
This course provides an overview of anesthesia drugs, old and new, with a focus on drug selection to optimize anesthesia management in cats and dogs. Case studies with varying levels of complexity and patient compromise will provide examples for participants to discuss pros and cons of drug selection. Instructors plan to discuss relevant new anesthesia/analgesia drugs such as Zenalpha.

The course will appeal to seasoned, newly minted and returning small animal clinicians alike - anyone interested in deepening their understanding of decision making that enhances clinical anesthesia safety:
  • Veterinarians new to and re-acquainting themselves with small animal practice will find a valuable overview of drugs and drug selection to optimize anesthesia management.
  • Experienced practitioners will find this course to be helpful optimizing existing anesthesia protocols and developing new protocols with an introduction to newly available anesthetic drugs.


Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of the course, the participant should be able to
  • modify their existing pre-anesthesia protocols to address nagging problems or persistent deficiencies.
  • choose whether newer anesthesia drugs or techniques should be incorporated into their current anesthesia protocols.
  • adjust their anesthesia drug dosing regimens and drug timing to fit patient safety needs.


Level and Prerequisites: This intermediate VIN CE course is open for enrollment to veterinarians actively interested in learning make decisions that enhance clinical anesthesia safety.
Accreditation: This course is approved for 8 hours of continuing education credit by RACE for veterinarians. (RACE 20-910862)


Course Agenda:

Week 1 (Real Time Session September 27, 2022): Pre-anesthesia Medication
Drugs used as pre-anesthesia medication - both oral and injectable.

Week 2 (Real Time Session October 4, 2022): Induction and Maintenance of Anesthesia
Drugs used for induction and maintenance of anesthesia.

**** BREAK - October 11, 2022 ****

Week 3 (Real Time Session October 18, 2022): Peri-operative Pain Management and Recovery From Anesthesia
Drugs used for peri-operative pain management both in and out of the hospital. Also drugs used to promote quiet, smooth recovery from anesthesia.

Week 4 (Real Time Session October 25, 2022): Putting It All Together
Case examples of drug selections through the entire peri-anesthetic period.


Successful completion (scoring 80% or better) on the end-of-course test is required to earn a certificate of completion for the course. To learn more about the requirements for earning a CE certificate, please refer to Receiving Your CE Credit and Course Completion Certificate.

Course Materials: Course materials will be available in the course library prior to each Real Time Session.
Required Textbook(s): There is no required textbook for this course.


Enrollment is closed.  

Tuition: Member $184 ($166 early bird special if enrolled by September 6, 2022)
Non-Member $292 ($263 early bird special if enrolled by September 6, 2022)
Prices are listed in US dollars.


*To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close on September 27, 2022 at 5 pm ET (USA) or when the maximum number of participants is reached.

*For more information on how online CE works, see the Participant Resource Center.


Enrollment qualifications:
  1. VIN CE Courses:
    1. VIN CE courses are open to VIN member, VIN student member, and non-member veterinarians.
    2. Veterinary support staff must be VSPN members in order to enroll in a VIN CE course open to VSPN member enrollment.
  2. VSPN CE Courses:
    1. VSPN CE courses are open to veterinary support staff and veterinarians.
    2. Only VIN and VSPN members can enroll in a VSPN CE course.
    3. Veterinarians will only receive credit for those VSPN CE courses that specify in the Accreditation statement that the course is accredited for veterinarians.
  3. Please check the course Level and Prerequisites, Accreditation, and Tuition before enrolling.
  4. Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses.
    1. Email is our major form of communication with participants; personal emails are highly recommended rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
  5. For further assistance call 800-846-0028 ext. 797 or email . Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.


Course withdrawal and refund policy: A complete refund of the paid course price will be issued when your withdrawal request is received prior to the listed start date of the course. If you wish to withdraw after the start date please contact the VIN office 800-846-0028 ext. 797 to discuss eligibility for a pro-rated refund.

*For more information on VIN's upcoming CE courses, check the VIN Course Catalog.

Katherine James, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM)
VIN Education Director

VIN CE Services:
800-846-0028 or 530-756-4881; ext. 797
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from the United Kingdom: 01 45 222 6154
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from Australia: 02 6145 2357