The Prescription and Use of Opioids in Small Animal Patients

Course Details

This lecture has been RACE approved for 1.5 CE hour for veterinarians and veterinary technicians.

This lecture presented by Dr. Andrea Looney, DACVAA, DACVSMR, CCRP, begins with definitions related to opioid use in veterinary patients, including: What drugs constitute agonists and antagonists Opioid indications and contraindications How receptors and receptor subtypes translate into physiologic and pharmacologic effects How opioids are used in premedications, local blocks, postop and intensive care continuous rate infusions and even in-home chronic care. Legal issues around opioid use and prescription as well as definitions of diversion/opioid misuse will be covered in detail as it pertains to recent opiate legislation. Alternatives to opioids within the various contexts of small animal in-hospital and out-of hospital use will also be presented.