Anaesthesia, analgesia and critical care – Dogs and cats – EBVM in Practice

Anaesthesia, analgesia and critical care – dogs and cats

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
Anaesthetic techniques
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
Fluid therapy
Pain management
Sepsis
Toxicology

AAFP	American Association of Feline Practitioners
AAHA	American Animal Hospital Association
ACVAA	American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia
ASAV	Australian Small Animal Veterinarians
BBV	BestBETs for Vets, Centre for Evidence-based Veterinary Medicine
ISFM	International Society of Feline Medicine
RECOVER	Reassessment Campaign on Veterinary Resuscitation
VE	Veterinary Evidence, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Knowledge
WSAVA	World Small Animal Veterinary Association

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)

CONSENSUS STATEMENTS

Acute respiratory distress syndrome in veterinary medicine: the ARDSVet definitions – Balakrishnan et al. (2025)

Anaesthetic techniques

CLINICAL GUIDELINES

Anaesthesia and monitoring guidelines for dogs and cats – AAHA (2020)

Anaesthesia guidelines for dogs and cats – ASAV (2018)

Feline anaesthesia guidelines – AAFP (2018)

Small animal anaesthesia and sedation monitoring – ACVAA (2025)

CRITICALLY APPRAISED TOPICS

Efficacy of EMLA™ cream for reducing pain associated with venepuncture in cats – VE (2021)

Epidural morphine versus buprenorphine in addition to local anaesthetic for hindlimb orthopaedic surgery in dogs – VE (2020)

Lidocaine (lignocaine) in dogs and cats to reduce post-operative tracheitis – VE (2017)

Medetomidine versus acepromazine when used as a premedication to general anaesthesia in dogs undergoing elective procedures – VE (2020)

Pre-anaesthetic gastroprotectants and reduction of gastro-oesophageal reflux in dogs undergoing anaesthesia – VE (2020)

Pre-incisional bupivacaine block on postoperative pain after coeliotomy in dogs – VE (2021)

Propofol-diazepam versus propofol-midazolam co-induction in healthy dogs: effects on propofol dosages, cardiovascular and respiratory events – VE (2022)

Trazodone and reduction of anaesthetic agent requirement in dogs – VE (2022)

Trazodone in reducing stress related behaviours in hospitalised dogs or dogs confined post-surgery – VE (2023)

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

CLINICAL GUIDELINES

Advanced Life Support: Evidence and knowledge gap analysis with treatment recommendations for small animal CPR – RECOVER (2024)

Basic Life Support: Evidence and knowledge gap analysis with treatment recommendations for small animal CPR – RECOVER (2024)

Monitoring: Evidence and knowledge gap analysis with treatment recommendations for small animal CPR – RECOVER (2024)

Newborn resuscitation in dogs and cats – RECOVER (2025)

Updated treatment recommendations for CPR in dogs and cats – RECOVER (2024)

Fluid therapy

CLINICAL GUIDELINES

Fluid therapy guidelines for dogs and cats – AAHA (2024)

CRITICALLY APPRAISED TOPICS

Evidence behind AAHA 2013 fluid therapy guidelines – VE (2020)

Ideal time to replace isotonic crystalloid intravenous fluids and sets – VE (2016/2025)

Length of in situ time of IV catheters and risk of phlebitis – BBV (2022/2025)

Pain management

CONSENSUS STATEMENTS

Long-term use of NSAIDs in cats – ISFM/AAFP (2024)

Management of acute pain in cats – ISFM (2022)

CLINICAL GUIDELINES

Pain management guidelines for dogs and cats – AAHA (2022)

Recognition, assessment and treatment of pain – WSAVA (2022)

CRITICALLY APPRAISED TOPICS

Acupuncture versus placebo for control of chronic pain in dogs – VE (2024)

Perioperative and postoperative analgesic effect of intravenous paracetamol in dogs – VE (2024)

Sepsis

CRITICALLY APPRAISED TOPICS

The quick sequential organ failure assessment score as a predictor of mortality in septic dogs – VE (2025)

Toxicology

CRITICALLY APPRAISED TOPICS

Antimicrobials versus no antimicrobials to reduce incidence of wound infection in dogs with snakebites – VE (2023)

Antivenom with supportive treatment versus supportive treatment alone and recovery in dogs with a European adder bite – VE (2017)

Benzodiazepines versus methocarbamol in relaxing muscles and reducing tremors in dogs with metaldehyde intoxication – VE (2020)

Corticosteroids and supportive treatment versus supportive treatment alone and clinical outcome in dogs with a European adder bite – VE (2018)

Ingestion of dried grapes (e.g. raisins, sultanas and currants) versus fresh grapes and likelihood of toxicity leading to acute kidney injury in dogs – BBV (2023)

Soybean intravenous lipid emulsion therapy versus ClinOleic for reducing recovery time in cats with permethrin toxicosis – VE (2021)