VetCE on Demand: How Old is Too Old? Anesthesia for the Geriatric Patient

Course overview

While anesthesia is never a one-size-fits-all procedure, it requires special considerations for geriatric patients. Veterinarians and their medical teams need to address the unique physiological changes and considerations in older animals. Anesthetic plans must be tailored to individual needs. Thorough history taking and physical examination coupled with pre-anesthetic assessments and risk stratification is crucial. Focusing on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in older patients, with specific protocols for those with concurrent diseases, is vital. The importance of intraoperative monitoring, pain management, and post-anesthetic care to ensure optimal recovery cannot be over emphasized.