2025 ANZCVS Anaesthesia Monitoring Course

Physiological monitoring during general anaesthesia is of the utmost importance to ensure adequate oxygen delivery to vital tissues and therefore avoid harm.  Indeed, anaesthetic monitoring is associated with reduced peri-anaesthetic risk in small animals (1,2).
In 2024, the Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia Chapter of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists published a position statement regarding the “Monitoring of anaesthetised dogs and cats”(3):
During anaesthesia of healthy dogs and cats there must be a person dedicated to the role of monitoring and recording the physiological status of the animal and any events related to the safe conduct of anaesthesia. This person must be appropriately trained and experienced or must work under direct supervision of someone who is appropriately trained and experienced. In addition to clinical observations of the animal (palpation of a peripheral pulse, measurement of pulse rate and respiratory rate, observation of mucous membrane colour/ capillary refill time and subjective assessment of depth of anaesthesia), monitoring of anaesthesia should be complimented by the use of equipment including a pulse oximeter, capnograph, blood pressure monitor, and thermometer. A record of anaesthesia must be created in every case. Animals must always be observed from the time that drugs are first administered to the time that adequate recovery from the procedure has been confirmed.


The working group that developed the position statement acknowledged continuing education was required to equip veterinarians and veterinary nurses with the relevant skills and confidence to enact their guidelines. So, at the same time as writing the guidelines, this course was developed by the Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia Chapter to provide high quality, clinically relevant, and practical training in all aspects of anaesthetic monitoring for dogs and cats.


2025 ANZCVS Anaesthesia Monitoring Course (AVNAT approved 20 points)


REGISTER HERE

Dates
Starts 3 March 2025. The course is self-paced but anticipated to take 6 months to complete.
 
Course Outline
A 6-month, fully online, modular course:
1.     Introduction (includes record keeping, anaesthetic depth monitoring, and human factors)
2.     Temperature monitoring
3.     Respiratory monitoring 1 (oxygenation; includes pulse oximetry)
4.     Respiratory monitoring 2 (ventilation; includes capnography)
5.     Cardiovascular monitoring 1 (heart rate and rhythm; includes ECG)
6.     Cardiovascular monitoring 2 (blood pressure)


Each modules includes:
·      An online, self-paced lesson with embedded video, notes, and quiz questions
·      An online discussion forum, moderated* by an educator (Dipl.ECVAA specialist vet)
In addition, the course includes:
·      Two interactive, case-based lesions
·      Two guided case reflections that will be marked with feedback provided
·      A live Q&A session with both educators
·     Online theory examination
*While the course is self-paced, suggested dates for completion of each module will be given, and the forum moderated for those dates (4 weeks per module) only.
 
Educators
 
Dr Eleanor Holden (BVSc MANZCVS Dipl.ECVAA) 
Eleanor graduated from the University of Queensland and initially started out in mixed practice in Victoria. After a rotating internship and cementing her interest in anaesthesia, she pursued a residency in anaesthesia and analgesia at Glasgow University in 2011. Eleanor became a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia (ECVAA) in 2017 and is also a member of the ANZCVS Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia Chapter. Eleanor enjoys all aspects of her work and currently works in private practice in Melbourne.
 
Dr Jen Davis (BVMS MVSc PhD MANZCVS Dipl.ECVAA)
Jen graduated from Glasgow University and spent seven years working in general practice in the UK and Australia. During that time, she developed an interest in anaesthesia and analgesia, and passed ANZCVS Memberships in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Critical Care in 2011. Jen then completed a residency at Murdoch University, becoming a ECVAA Diplomate in 2015. Jen also completed two research degrees at Murdoch University, investigating the early identification of acute kidney injury in dogs. Jen works at Animalius, a private referral hospital in Perth, Western Australia. Jen particularly enjoys the anaesthetic management of critically ill small animals, and consulting in chronic pain cases.
 
Participants / Requirements
·      Veterinary surgeons living in Australia or New Zealand
·      Practicing veterinary nurses in Australia or New Zealand. Some experience is necessary (at least 3 years in small animal practice). Veterinary nurses who complete the course will recieve certification of 20 AVNAT CPD points.
·     We also welcome enquiries from veterinary professionals from East and Southeast Asia (i.e., on the same time zones as Australia)
·      Time: we estimate the course will take 6 – 8 hours of study per month, or approximately 2 hours per week.
·      A computer with internet connection capable of video playback
 
Early Bird pricing – ends 3 February 2025:
·      Veterinarian $995 + 1.75% merchant (Credit card / PayPal) fee
·      Veterinarian with current ANZCVS Membership/Fellowship $895 + 1.75% merchant fee
·      Registered Veterinary Nurse $895 + 1.75% merchant fee
Full pricing from 3 February 2025:
·      Veterinarian $1095 + 1.75% merchant (Credit card / PayPal) fee
·      Veterinarian with current ANZCVS Membership/Fellowship $995 + 1.75% merchant fee
·      Registered Veterinary Nurse $995 + 1.75% merchant fee
·      Registered Veterinary Nurse with current VNCA membership $895 + 1.75% merchant fee

REGISTER HERE


VAA Chapter sponsored Scholarships:  in 2025 we will offer up to 2 places on the course free of charge to participants that are not able to pay full course fees and can demonstrate that their participation in the course will significantly improve the quality of anaesthesia provided to animals in Australia or New Zealand. To apply, please e-mail secretaryvaa@anzcvs.org.au with a statement of up to 300 words explaining why you should receive a scholarship and your CV. (Please note that the scholarship is only open to residents of Australia or New Zealand)

 
1. Brodbelt DC, Pfeifer DU, Young L, Wood JL. Risk factors for anaesthetic‐related death in cats: results from the Confidential Enquiry into Perioperative Small Animal Fatalities (CEPSAF). Br J Anaesth 2007; 99: 617–623.
2.  Dyson DH, Maxie MG, Schnurr D. Morbidity and mortality associated with anesthetic management in small animal veterinary practice in Ontario. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1998; 34(4): 325–335.
3. Musk GC, Bass L, Bradbury L, et al. Monitoring of anaesthetised dogs and cats: Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia Chapter position statement. Australian Veterinary Practitioner 2024; 54:67-76