Emma Jane Love, BVMS PhD DVA DipECVAA MRCVS FHEA

Clinical Fellow in Veterinary Anaesthesia

Emma graduated from the University of Glasgow Veterinary School in 2000 and completed a residency in veterinary anaesthesia at the University of Bristol. She became a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia in 2005 and also holds the RCVS Diploma in Veterinary Anaesthesia.

Emma has been a Clinical Fellow at the University of Bristol since 2004 and in addition to her clinical and teaching roles completed a PhD "Advances in the Objective Evaluation of Pain and Analgesic Efficacy in Horses" in 2009. Her clinical and research interests include pain assessment and analgesia in animals, particularly horses.

Nicola Grint BVSc, DVA, DiplECVA

Nicki graduated from Bristol Vet School in 2000, and stayed on to undertake and internship and then residency in veterinary anaesthesia. In 2005, she moved to Liverpool Vet School to under take a three year lectureship post, becoming head of division in 2007. After leaving Liverpool, Nicki locumed at the Animal Health Trust and Royal Veterinary College, before returning to Bristol last year to undertake a PhD in equine pain and analgesia. She also works full time at the Bristol Vets Now emergency clinic.

Nicki holds her RCVS certificate and diploma in veterinary anaesthesia, and is also a European diplomat in veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia"

Pamela Murison BVMS DipECVA DVA MRCVS

Lecturer in Veterinary Anaesthesia, University of Bristol

This programme is now accredited by the European School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies and leads to the qualification Nurses Certificate in Anaesthesia and Critical Care - NCert(A&CC)

This course has also been accredited by the BVNA.

Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia have advanced significantly during recent years. This course will review the latest anaesthetic and monitoring equipment, the selection of key anaesthetic and analgesic agents, techniques for safe anaesthesia and effective analgesia in dogs, cats, equines and exotics. The course will help increase confidence in this vital area of veterinary nursing.

Module One

The anaesthetic machine and monitoring equipment

At the end of the module the delegates should:

• Understand the anaesthetic machine
• Know how anaesthetic breathing circuits they work how to choose them
• Understand the use of low flow anaesthesia with circle circuits
• Be able to fill in the anaesthetic record correctly
• Have an overview from basic through to advanced monitoring
• Understand equipment - how it works and what to choose
• Be able to anticipate potential problems and avoid pitfalls
• Adopt minimal monitoring in 'general practice' 
• Have an overview of ventilators and artificial ventilation

Module Two

Pre-anaesthetic assessment and premedication. Intravenous and inhalant anaesthetics

At the end of the module the delegates should: 

• Understand the role of pre-anaesthetic assessment
• Understand the reasons and ways to use premedication and sedation
• Have an overview of injectable anaesthetics
• Have an overview of the inhalation anaesthetics
• Be able to review the principles, practical use of the newer agents

Module Three

Fluid therapy in the perioperative period. Nutrition in critical care

At the end of the module the delegates should:

• Know about the types and uses of different fluids, including colloids, HBOCS
• Be able to devise a fluid therapy plan and monitor patients
• Understand the principles of transfusion medicine
• Understand the importance of nutrition in the critical patient

Module Four

Analgesia and pain assessment

At the end of the module the delegates should:

• Have an overview of the pathophysiology of pain
• Recognise pain in different species
• Have an understanding of pain scoring
• Understand there are many analgesia options, including opioids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, local anaesthesia and other agents (e.g. ketamine) and alpha 2 agonists
• Know about local blocks and epidurals
• Know how to use constant rate infusions
• Consider long term pain management & chronic pain
• Be aware of adjuncts to pain control, new and novel drugs

Module Five

Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, accidents and emergencies

At the end of the module the delegates should:

• Be able to identify common complications in anaesthesia
• Know causes and identification and treatment of arrest
• Know what to do: A practical step-by-step guide as to how to manage an arrest, basic CPCR, ventilation and artificial circulation

Module Six

Anaesthesia of equine and exotic species

At the end of the module the delegates should: 

• Have an overview of equine anaesthesia: the horse as an anaesthetic candidate
• Understand drugs and anaesthetic techniques including monitoring and complications in equine anaesthesia
• Know of special considerations, techniques and advice for anaesthesia in other species including: birds, reptiles, ferrets, rabbits and other small mammals

Module Seven

Anaesthetic considerations for specific conditions

At the end of the module the delegates should:

• Know about muscle relaxants- indications, current use, new drugs, monitoring
• Understand how to plan an anaesthetic for thoracic surgery
• Understand how to plan an anaesthetic for head and neck surgery
• Understand how to plan an anaesthetic for patients with cardiopulmonary disease
• Understand how to plan an anaesthetic for patients with neurological disease

Module Eight

Anaesthetic considerations for specific conditions

At the end of the module the delegates should:

• Be able to plan an anaesthetic for Caesarean section
• Be able to plan an anaesthetic for paediatric patients