Veterinary Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine at Upstate Veterinary Specialties

General anesthesia is a state of unconsciousness that is produced by the injection of drugs into the bloodstream, inhalation of anesthetic gases, or a combination thereof. In veterinary medicine, general anesthesia allows us to perform surgeries and other diagnostic or therapeutic procedures that would be otherwise impossible in awake animals. In some cases, procedural sedation, which does not induce unconsciousness, may be used to shorten recovery time and to minimize effects on the cardiovascular system.

Anesthesiology is the medical specialty that deals with perioperative patient care or the care of patients before, during, and after anesthetized procedures. Veterinary anesthesiologists develop anesthetic plans, oversee and assist technicians performing anesthesia, and perform analgesic (pain-relieving) procedures to manage both acute and chronic pain conditions.

Services Offered by Our Anesthesiology Team

At UVS, our anesthesiologist supervises the anesthetic care of your pet and works with a team of licensed veterinary technicians to develop individualized anesthetic and pain management plans for each patient. Our Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine Service works diligently to relieve patient anxiety and maximize patient comfort.

Our anesthesiologist also offers pre-anesthetic consultations where she will examine your pet, review their medical history, and discuss anesthetic concerns and approaches pertinent to their breed, age, co-existing diseases, and the procedure they undergo.

Anesthesiology and Pain Management Techniques and Care

With appropriate management and monitoring, anesthesia of healthy dogs and cats carries low risk. However, many veterinary patients also have co-existing diseases that may increase the risk of complications under general anesthesia. Our anesthesiologist reviews each patient’s medical history, and appropriate drugs and pain management techniques are chosen. We also provide the highest level of anesthetic monitoring and care, including:

Invasive and non-invasive blood pressure measurement
Continuous electrocardiography (ECG)
Pulse oximetry to monitor heart rate and oxygenation
Capnography to monitor patient ventilation
Peripheral nerve stimulation for assessment of neuromuscular function in patients receiving paralytics
Mechanical ventilation

We also offer ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blocks and epidural anesthesia, which allows for more targeted pain control and minimizes systemic drug use, improving patient comfort and recovery.

Board Certified Veterinary Anesthesiologists

A veterinary anesthesiologist has advanced training beyond their doctor of veterinary medicine degree. After completing a three-year residency program, qualified candidates sit for an exam to achieve board certification by the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia.

If your pet is scheduled for an anesthetic procedure, speak with your primary care veterinarian about a consultation with our anesthesiologist, Dr. Cheyenne Cannarozzo.