Reducing the environmental impacts of veterinary anaesthesia

Multimodal analgesic technique in a peacock (Pavo cristatus) anaesthetised for orthopaedic surgery

“…Due to their impact as greenhouse gases, anaesthetic inhalant agents should be used as conservatively and with the lowest fresh gas flow as possible. [35][36][37] As for other species, also in avian medicine, veterinary surgeons should therefore consider the use of intravenous induction agents whenever feasible. In this case, the decision to use alfaxalone and not propofol as induction agent was based on previous studies that reported a narrow safety margin and significant respiratory depression when propofol was administered to birds.…”

“…Regardless, the inhalation agent of choice and induction of anaesthesia via mask require high fresh gas flow, carrying the risk of excessive environmental pollution and personnel exposure. Due to their impact as greenhouse gases, anaesthetic inhalant agents should be used as conservatively and with the lowest fresh gas flow as possible 35–37 . As for other species, also in avian medicine, veterinary surgeons should therefore consider the use of intravenous induction agents whenever feasible.…”

Sustainable development in equine anaesthesia

“…Further research, including clinical audits and quality improvement initiatives, is needed to demonstrate how the environmental footprint of anaesthesia may be safely and effectively reduced. There is a growing body of literature relating to sustainable development in veterinary (Jones & West, 2019; West, 2021) and medical anaesthesia (Charlesworth & Swinton, 2017; McGain et al, 2020; Skowno & Weatherall, 2021; White et al, 2022). From 2022, the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme includes sustainability at Core, GP and Awards levels; guidance for best practice is readily available through resources such as the clinical checklist produced by the American Society of Anaesthesiologists (Axelrod et al, 2017) and the Greener Veterinary Practice Checklist from Vet Sustain.…”

Reducing the carbon impact of veterinary anaesthesia

“…I READ the article by Ellie West on the environmental impact of veterinary anaesthesia with considerable interest 1 . It is obvious to me that as a profession we need to change our practice and teaching of anaesthesia to reduce the environmental impact.…”