Dechra Dog and Cat Anaesthesia 4.4

This review examines the Dechra Dog & Cat Anaesthesia app, a comprehensive tool aimed at enhancing anaesthesia knowledge for veterinary professionals. The app presents a user-friendly platform, designed specifically for veterinarians, veterinary nurses, technicians, and students, providing them with essential and easily accessible information on anaesthetic protocols.

Developed in collaboration with specialist veterinary anaesthetists and endorsed by the Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists (AVA), the app offers suggested anaesthetic protocols for 24 procedures in dogs and 15 in cats. This resource serves as a practical guide, enabling users to prepare effectively for both common and less frequently performed procedures.

The detailed protocols include current anaesthetic considerations tailored for the patient, detailing aspects such as pre-operative stabilization, premedication options, peri-operative analgesia, and specifics on induction, maintenance, monitoring, and recovery. This functionality allows veterinarians to select the most suitable protocol for each unique case.

In addition to protocol guidance, the app features comprehensive information on 36 commonly used anaesthetic agents in both dogs and cats. Users can confidently make informed decisions based on provided dosages, routes of administration, indications, time to onset, duration of action, contraindications, and potential side effects.

A notable feature is the integrated dose calculator which facilitates quick and accurate calculation of required doses for patients. Users can also create custom protocols that can be saved in a favorites folder for easy access or shared via email for inclusion in patient clinical records.

Highlighting its commitment to patient safety and best practices in anaesthesia, the app includes the AVA Anaesthetic Safety Checklist. Overall, the Dechra Dog & Cat Anaesthesia App positions itself as a valuable resource that reinforces Dechra's leadership in veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia while providing significant technical support to veterinary professionals.