Anaesthesia and analgesia – Dogs and cats – EBVM in Practice

Anaesthesia and analgesia – dogs and cats

Anaesthetic techniques
Fluid therapy
Pain management

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
VE	Veterinary Evidence, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Knowledge
WSAVA	World Small Animal Veterinary Association

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)

Slow or fast administration of propofol and the appearance of post-induction respiratory apnoea in dogs – VE (2026)

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)

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)

SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS

Acute pain scoring instruments and their measurement properties in cats and dogs – Lee, J. and Steagall, P.V. (2026)

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)