American Technician – the Role in Equine Anaesthesia

In the United States the term ‘veterinary technician’ has had several meanings and has been used as an all-encompassing term within the profession. As of late, the veterinary industry has evolved to rely more and more on veterinary technicians to perform increasingly vital roles within the practice. One such role is the administration of anaesthesia to equine patients. The job of anaesthetising, monitoring, and recovery is quickly becoming a function of technicians where they not only assist doctors, but in many cases take the lead.

On a day-to-day basis my job as an equine anaesthetist begins by preparing a whole list of ‘to-dos’ for both the patient and myself. One such task would be performing a physical exam, formulating an anaesthetic plan including sedation, and rounding with the doctor and surgical team in regards to the patient. During these discussions we will talk about potential concerns for the patient in all parts of the anaesthetic process. Some of these concerns will include signalment of the patient, type of procedure about to be performed, as well as the team members available to help in the process.

Any good anaesthetic protocol begins with appropriate and proper sedation of the patient. A horse that is sedated well generally anaesthetises well. My anaesthetic programmes are tailored to the individual with special considerations given to the factors previously named. Xylazine is one of the most common sedations used in the initial anaesthetic process. Detomidine and butorphanol are also commonplace, with detomidine being used less frequently for this purpose in the States.

When the horse is appropriately sedated, it is placed in the area where it is to be induced and the team, organised from the most experienced to the least, is ready and in place. My function at this time is any or all of the following: pushing induction drugs, holding the head, and supporting the horse’s shoulder and aiding in guiding down. Just as the technician will help the horse down, often times the same tech will aid in getting the horse quickly and safely back to its feet. By allowing technicians to perform this task, the veterinarian can elect to follow up with the owner and/or see the next patient. This greatly improves efficiency in the practice which benefits everyone!

In the United States the coming years will show a shortage of veterinarians, especially those that choose to practise in equine or mixed animal settings. This void could easily be filled by a veterinary technician and will give the profession greater opportunity to support veterinarians in their roles as well as utilise the technician in a larger and more fulfilling way. The industry is ever evolving, and the role of a technician in the United States is evolving with it, often allowing us to be elevated from a mostly supporting role to having a voice along with the veterinarian in what is best for the patient, including anaesthesia.

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