Brace yourself for an episode that’s small in animal size but big on anesthesia challenges! In this installment of the North American Veterinary Anesthesia Society Podcast, we’re diving into the world of pediatric anesthesia——because when it comes to anesthetizing puppies, kittens, and foals, they’re not just small adults (no matter how cute they look when they're just a baby). We’ll cover the unique physiology of pediatric patients, the must-have equipment to keep them safe, and drug protocols tailored to their delicate systems. Plus, we’ll tackle common problems, so you don’t end up feeling like you’re herding foals without a halter when facing a pediatric patient in the clinic.

Joining us is Dr. Ella Pittman, a board-certified veterinary anesthesiologist at Port City Veterinary Referral Hospital—and as of this recording, New Hampshire’s only one! She’ll help us navigate the rollercoaster ride of pediatric anesthesia, from managing their unpredictable metabolism to the tricky waters of their tiny airways. So grab a coffee (or some warm fluids for your patient), and let’s get into it—because these little ones might be small, but the anesthesia challenges are anything but!

If you like what you hear, we have a couple of favors to ask of you:

Become a member of NAVAS for access to more anesthesia and analgesia educational and RACE-approved CE content. The NAVAS Virtual Spring Symposium will be held on May 3-4, 2025. Registration for the event will open soon.

Spread the word. Share our podcast on your socials or a discussion forum. That would really help us achieve our mission: Reduce mortality and morbidity in veterinary patients undergoing sedation, anesthesia, and analgesia through high-quality, peer-reviewed education.

Thank you to our sponsor, Dechra - learn more about the pharmaceutical products Dechra has to offer veterinary professionals, such as Zenalpha.

If you have questions about this episode or want to suggest topics for future episodes, reach out to the producers at [email protected].

All opinions stated by the host and their guests are theirs alone and do not represent the thoughts or opinions of any corporation, university, or other business or governmental entity.