Comprehensive Guidance For Aspiring Veterinary Anesthesiologists In 2024

Veterinary anesthesiologists are important members of veterinary teams. Advancements in veterinary medicine allow for many types of treatments to keep pets healthy, and veterinary anesthesiologists help make medical care for animals comfortable and safe. They also contribute to the efficiency of procedures by providing consultation and assisting in other aspects of treatment as needed. In this article, we discuss what a veterinary anesthesiologist is, what they do, how to become a veterinary anesthesiologist, the skills required for the position and the salary and job outlook for this career.

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What is a veterinary anesthesiologist?

A veterinary anesthesiologist is a veterinarian that specializes in sedating and anesthetizing animals for pain relief before, during and after procedures. Animals react differently to medical treatment than humans do, and each anal has a different pain tolerance and comfort level with veterinary care. Pets don’t always cooperate well with treatments, so veterinary anesthesiologists administer medications to calm them or sedate them so the veterinary team can complete surgeries or provide other types of care.

This can help make the procedures more comfortable for the animals and, in some cases, keep the veterinary team safe from accidental injuries. For example, a large dog may become frightened at a veterinary appointment. Veterinary anesthesiologists can give medications to help relax the dog and protect the staff at the same time.

What does a veterinary anesthesiologist do?

Veterinary anesthesiologists have many roles both within their specialized field and as general veterinarians. Their duties depend on where they work and the needs of their communities. Large animal clinics often hire veterinary anesthesiologists to help reduce the workload of veterinarians. Veterinary anesthesiologists in these settings may be responsible for:

Supervise or consult with veterinarians regarding anesthesia for patients
Assessing the patient before treatment to determine their anesthesia needs
Creating an individualized plan for sedation and anesthesia to fit each patient
Providing anesthesia, sedatives and pain relief medication through an IV or injection
Using specialized equipment during the patient’s procedure to monitor their vital signs and adjust medication amounts as needed
Monitoring the patient after the procedure
Keeping records of all medications given to the patient

Colleges and universities also hire veterinary anesthesiologists. In an academic setting, veterinary anesthesiologists teach students about veterinary practices and help them gain practical experience they can use in the field.

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How to become a veterinary anesthesiologist

Here are the steps involved in becoming a veterinary anesthesiologist:

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree

To become a veterinary anesthesiologist, candidates first become a licensed Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). This educational path usually starts with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Some colleges do not require an undergraduate degree to apply to their veterinary programs, but they all require a series of prerequisite courses. For this reason, most students choose to receive a Bachelor of Science in fields such as:

Biology or microbiology
Zoology
Ecology
Life science
Organic chemistry

2. Complete veterinary school

It takes four years to complete veterinary school and become a DVM. The focus of the curriculum varies based on the year of study.

First and second years: Students take academic courses including anatomy and physiology, nutrition and disease.
Third year: The emphasis shifts to clinical studies, which allow students to observe veterinarians at work and practice what they’ve learned.
Fourth year: Students complete a one-year residency program in which they perform work supervised by a veterinarian.

Upon graduating from veterinary school, candidates take the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE) to become licensed. Most states also have their own licensing requirements for veterinarians.

3. Complete an anesthesiology residency program

After passing the NAVLE and regional licensing exams, veterinarians can begin a veterinary anesthesiology residence program at an accredited college or university. Candidates first complete a one-year internship at a private practice. Then, they begin a three-year residency program approved by the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia (ACVAA). The residency gives candidates an opportunity to gain knowledge in anesthesiology and complete a study for an ACVAA publication.

After completing all residency program requirements, graduates take the anesthesiology board certification exam. This exam tests their knowledge of every aspect of veterinary pharmacology, including anesthesia and analgesia for wild, captive and domesticated animals. A graduate who passes the exam becomes known as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia (DACVAA) and can begin practicing as a veterinary anesthesiologist.

Veterinary anesthesiologist skills

Veterinary anesthesiologists usually demonstrate a combination of interpersonal, practical and technical skills. The career involves working with animals and the people who care for them, so it’s important to know how to provide for the needs of the patient while giving owners the information to make informed decisions. Veterinary anesthesiologist skills include:

Compassion: Veterinary anesthesiologists typically have a genuine concern for their patients and the pet owners they help.
Critical thinking: Developing plans for anesthesia involves understanding how to analyze the patient’s condition to come up with the best approach for care at every stage of treatment.
Dexterity: Veterinary anesthesiologists use precise hand-eye coordination and muscle control to administer medications through an IV.
Attention to detail: Veterinary anesthesiologists monitor medication doses meticulously to ensure the health of patients.
Scientific aptitude: Veterinary anesthesiologists understand the biological processes their patients experience and plan the types and quantities of the medications they provide accordingly. They also manage challenging situations such as side effects and illness from a clinical perspective.

Veterinary anesthesiologist salary and job outlook

The salary of a veterinary anesthesiologist varies by region and level of experience. While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn’t have specific information on veterinary anesthesiologist pay, it states that veterinarians make an average of $99,300 per year. The BLS expects the employment of veterinarians to grow by 16% between now and 2029. This makes growth for veterinary professions much faster than the average of all occupations, which is currently 4%.