Author: Courtney Scales DipVN, NCert(Anaesth), RVN

Courtney qualified as veterinary nurse in New Zealand. She began work in 2007, practising in several small animal clinics before her interest in anaesthesia led her to a large referral hospital in Australia. In 2016, she moved to the UK and worked in the anaesthesia department at the Royal Veterinary College. Courtney is now a clinical educator for Burtons Medical Equipment. She has completed her Veterinary Nurse Certificate in anaesthesia and is completing postgraduate studies in veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia at the University of Edinburgh.

DOI: 10.56496/SFCS6883

ABSTRACT A veterinary nurse (VN) usually prepares a patient for orotracheal intubation and extubation, and the intubation itself is performed by a veterinary surgeon. VNs are trained in these skills but often have limited opportunities to practise them. However, at any point during a patient’s anaesthesia experience or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, intubation may need to be performed confidently by a VN, without hesitation. VNs should therefore be familiar with the airway anatomy, orotracheal intubation and the cases that may require airway support or emergent intubation.

Keywords anaesthesia, airway, intubation, laryngoscope

To cite this article: Scales, C. (2023) Airway management in small animal anaesthesia. VNJ 38(3) pp44-54

To access the article, select one of the following links:

I am a BVNA member

I am accessing through my institute

I am paying for access