Quick sedation protocols get renewed attention in dogs and cats

CURRENT BRIEF VERSION: A new episode of The Cone of Shame spotlights a practical issue many small animal teams face every day: how to achieve quick, safe sedation for dogs and cats undergoing short procedures without defaulting to full general anesthesia. In episode 386, Tasha McNerney, CVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia), discusses reversible sedation protocols, multimodal analgesia, airway protection, feline-specific approaches, when ketamine may be appropriate, and how local blocks can reduce the amount of systemic drug needed. The episode also makes clear that the focus is on generally healthy patients and on matching sedation plans to both low- or no-pain handling needs and more involved minor surgical work, such as wound cleaning and repair, when full anesthesia may be limited by time or finances. Common in-clinic scenarios include radiographs, wound repair, and diagnostics, where teams need efficiency without losing sight of patient comfort and safety. (podcasts.apple.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the conversation reflects a broader shift toward spectrum-of-care sedation that blends fear-free handling, analgesia, and reversibility. It also connects to wider concerns about staff wellbeing: low-stress handling and better sedation planning can reduce the physical and emotional strain that comes with forcing care on fearful or painful patients. Current guidance from AAHA and Fear Free supports pre-visit pharmaceuticals such as gabapentin, trazodone, benzodiazepines, clonidine, and dexmedetomidine-based approaches for anxious patients, while procedural sedation protocols commonly pair dexmedetomidine with opioids and local anesthesia to improve restraint, comfort, and workflow. That matters because better sedation planning can reduce stress for patients and pet parents, improve staff safety, and help clinics complete minor procedures more efficiently. (aaha.org)

What to watch: Expect continued interest in protocols that are reversible, opioid-sparing where appropriate, and tailored to fearful, painful, geriatric, or otherwise higher-risk patients, along with more discussion of how sedation choices affect team safety and technician wellbeing in day-to-day practice. (todaysveterinarypractice.com)