STANDARDS OF CARE Anaesthesia guidelines for dogs and cats

The ASAV has prepared these standards to support veterinarians in offering the highest standards of care to their patients. The standards set out in this document detail the ideal standards of anaesthetic care for dogs and cats within a general practice setting. The ASAV believes that owners should be advised of the best available care as set out in these standards. These standards are based on the latest peer‐reviewed scientific research, surveys of Australian veterinarians and broad consultation within the veterinary profession. Anaesthesia is a continually evolving discipline, with frequent advances in pharmacology and technology. It is mandatory for all members of the anaesthesia provision team to periodically undergo training to refresh their knowledge. Referral to a board‐certified veterinary anaesthesiologist should be considered for cases that are beyond the practitioner’s level of expertise or comfort. These standards will be reviewed and updated based on feedback from veterinarians and the publication of relevant new research.