Large Animal Anesthesia Services - CVM - VMC Large Animal Hospital , University of Minnesota

Large Animal Anesthesia Services

Welcome to the Anesthesia Department at the Veterinary Medical Center

Telephone consultations available (allow 24 to 48 hours for response); for true emergencies, call 612-626-VETS (8387) and ask to speak with an anesthesiologist on duty


Mike Barletta	Lynelle Graham


Angie Jimenez	Kerry Robinson


Lindsey Mathews	Daniel Almeida

Staff:

Anesthesiologists:
Michele Barletta, DVM,
Lynelle Graham, DVM, MS, DACVA; also trained in veterinary acupuncture (IVAS), animal chiropractic (AVCA) and herbal medicine
Angie Jimenez, DVM, Cert VA, DECVAA, MRCVS
Kerry J Robinson BVSc, Cert VA, DipACVA, MRCVS

Residents:
Lindsey Mathews, DVM, Resident until 2012
Daniel Almeida, DVM, Resident until 2013
Elizabeth Goudie, Resident until 2015

Technician/ Staff:
Rachel Bassett, CVT, VTS Anethesia, Supervisor
Rachel Czachor, CVT
Shana Eisenberg, BA, CVT, VTS Anethesia
Laura Webster-Esparza, CVT , VTS Anesthesia
Gayle Geiser, CVT, VTS Anesthesia
Rachel Johnson, CVT
Ryan Nichols, CVT, VTS Anethesia
Sigrid Rea, CVT, VTS Anethesia
Jesse Roberts, CVT

Services:

*Anesthesia, sedation and pain management services for large and small animals, including exotic species
* Techniques include the use of injectable drugs, inhalant anesthetics, ventilator management, regional anesthesia/analgesia (peripheral nerve blocks, dental blocks, epidurals/epidural catheterization), constant rate infusions and balanced anesthesia/analgesia
* Clinical Pain Group integrates current knowledge, research and clinical applications. This includes integrative methods of analgesia (acupuncture, chiropractic, herbal therapy)
* Continuing education for DVMs and technicians within the VMC, the referring community and at regional/ national/international meetings
* Speakers for lay groups and breed clubs
* Special interests Acute and chronic pain management, airway disease, emergency/critical care, integrative medicine, computer-assisted teaching development

Special Equipment:
	* Multiple board certified anesthesiologists with over 50 years of combined experience * All technicians are nationally certified; several are additionally specialty-qualified by the Academy of Veterinary Technician Anesthetists (VTS-Anesthesia) * Personnel available 24/7/365 for emergency procedures * Individually tailored anesthetic plan for each patient * Each patient is continuously monitored throughout the anesthetic period by dedicated personnel; detailed anesthetic records are completed for each patient, becoming a permanent part of the patient?s medical record * Variety of pain management techniques including routine premedication, epidurals, epidural catheters, constant rate infusions, transdermal fentanyl and/or lidocaine, local/regional blocks and postoperative analgesic recommendations * Routine use of all modern inhalants, including sevoflurane and isoflurane * Regular use of a multitude of injectable anesthetics, analgesics and other supportive medications * Ability and desire, to work with cases requiring unique care (difficult airways, sepsis, profound volume loss, icterus, diaphragmatic hernias, malignant hyperthermia, etc) * Routine peripheral venous catheterization in all patients * Wide variety of intravenous fluid therapy options, including replacement crystalloids, artificial colloids, blood substitutes, concentrated human albumin, species specific plasma, packed red cells and whole blood * Electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring for every patient * Pulse oximetry widely utilized to monitor for hypoxemia * Blood pressure monitoring (direct and/or indirect) for every patient, as hypotension is the single most frequent complication of general anesthesia * Arterial catheterization to allow direct blood pressure monitoring, blood gas monitoring and easy sampling * Central venous catheterization to allow for repeated venous blood sampling, central venous pressure (CVP) monitoring and automated central venous waveform analysis * Intraoperative and postoperative forced warm air blankets and water circulating heating pads to prevent and/or treat perioperative hypothermia * Esophageal temperature monitoring * End tidal gas monitoring, including ETCO2, to allow screening for hypoventilation * Neuromuscular blockade monitoring equipment, for appropriate cases * Ascending and descending mechanical ventilators * Ability to deliver a mixture of inhaled gases, such as nitrous oxide and oxygen, for appropriate patients * Active, centralized waste gas scavenging, in addition to passive systems used during patient transport * Point of care packed cell, total protein and glucose monitoring * Hoist/sling system for large animal recovery * Padded equine induction and recovery stalls * Hydraulic lift table for large animal surgical procedures

Useful Information:
	Small animal cases arriving for same-day service must be checked in at the small animal hospital by 7 a.m. Large animal cases arriving for same-day service must be checked in at the large animal hospital by 9 a.m. *Please send any completed blood work and radiographs with the client. Please speak with an anesthesiologist directly regarding specific anesthetic concerns for any of your referred patients.