Quick sedation protocols move into the general practice spotlight

Dr. Andy Roark’s latest “How Do You Treat That?” episode, published March 17, 2026, puts a practical spotlight on a familiar clinical problem: how to sedate dogs and cats quickly for short procedures without defaulting to full-day anesthesia. In the episode, Tasha McNerney, CVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia), walks through reversible sedation protocols, multimodal analgesia, and the use of opioids, dexmedetomidine, local blocks, and, in some feline cases, ketamine, with an emphasis on efficiency, airway protection, and patient comfort. The framing is notable because it treats short-duration sedation not as a shortcut, but as a deliberate, protocol-driven option for radiographs, wound care, and other brief diagnostics or treatments. (drandyroark.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary teams, this reflects a broader shift toward low-stress, spectrum-of-care workflows that combine fear-free handling, pre-visit pharmaceuticals, reversible agents, and local anesthesia to reduce patient distress while preserving throughput. Current AAHA guidance supports tailoring sedation depth to the procedure and patient, and feline-friendly guidance similarly emphasizes pre-visit preparation and medication when stress is likely. In practice, that means clinics are increasingly expected to have a middle ground between manual restraint and full anesthesia, especially for fractious, painful, or highly anxious patients. (aaha.org)

What to watch: Expect more discussion around standardized quick-sedation protocols, technician-led workflow design, and how clinics train teams to use reversible sedation and local blocks safely in everyday general practice. (drandyroark.com)