Anesthesiology

Veterinary Anesthesia Toronto

Alicia Skelding, DVM, MSc, DACVA

Head of Service

Anesthesia

Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia

Doctor of Veterinary Science, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph

3-year residency in Anesthesia and Analgesia, Ontario Veterinary College

1-year rotating small animal internship at 404 Veterinary Emergency and Referral Hospital

Master of Science degree in dairy genetics, University of Guelph

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College

Bachelor of Science degree, University of Guelph

Rodrigo Aguilera, DVM, Residency trained ACVA

Veterinary Specialist

Anesthesia

Alex Focken, DVM

Veterinary Intern

Anesthesia

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan

1 year Small Animal Rotating Internship at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan

Bachelor of Sciences in Applied Animal Biology, University of British Columbia (Vancouver)

Anesthesiology services

• General inhalant anesthesia using a balanced anesthetic technique
• General anesthesia for minimally invasive surgery (thoracoscopy, laparoscopy)
• Total intravenous anesthesia
• Procedural sedation
• Intensive anesthetic monitoring using multiparameter monitors with the capability of evaluating electrocardiogram, non-invasive and direct arterial blood pressure, pulse oximetry, capnography, end tidal anesthetic gas analysis and body temperature
• Locoregional anesthesia via peripheral nerve stimulation
• Epidural anesthesia
• One lung ventilation

Common reasons for referral

• Anesthesia of patients with concurrent cardiovascular, respiratory or endocrine disease
• Anesthesia of brachycephalic patients
• Anesthesia for elective or emergency caesarean
• Anesthesia of high risk and emergency patients
• Anesthetic management of patients with difficult airways or requiring airway surgery
• Anesthesia for minimally invasive surgical techniques and advanced imaging
• Advanced anesthetic monitoring including direct arterial blood pressure and arterial blood gases

Strengths of Services

• The Anesthesiology Service consists of specially trained technicians and a board-certified Anesthesiologist whose sole responsibility is to oversee the anesthesia of the patient
• Our board-certified Anesthesiologist underwent an extensive 3-year residency training program, following completion of their veterinary degree
• An individualized anesthetic plan is created that is unique to each patient requiring general anesthesia or procedural sedation by the Anesthesia Service
• We have advanced monitoring tools to increase patient safety during anesthesia and sedation
• Specialized equipment includes: multiparamter monitors, anesthetic ventilators, peripheral nerve stimulator and in-house radiometer for blood gas analysis
• The Anesthesiology Service collaborates across services to ensure patient care is optimal during anesthesia