Small Mammal Anaesthesia

Anaesthesia in small mammals presents unique challenges, with rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, and other exotic companion mammals consistently demonstrating a higher risk of peri-anaesthetic morbidity and mortality than dogs and cats. Understanding these risks and implementing appropriate strategies is essential for improving patient safety and clinical outcomes.

In this practical webinar, Tawny Kershaw RVN explores the factors that contribute to increased anaesthetic risk in small mammal patients and provides a structured approach to reducing complications before, during, and after anaesthesia. The session will discuss species-specific considerations, patient preparation, monitoring, and recovery, alongside practical nursing interventions that support safer anaesthetic management.

Designed for veterinary nurses and the wider practice team, this webinar offers evidence-based guidance and practical tips to help build confidence when anaesthetising small mammal patients, ensuring every stage of the peri-anaesthetic period is approached with care and clinical precision.

Tawny Kershaw

RVN

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Tawny graduated from Nottingham Trent University as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2016, before moving on to complete her BSc Top Up in Veterinary Nursing Science, followed by an MSc degree in Endangered Species Recovery and Conservation, a certificate in anaesthesia, and a certificate in nursing of zoological and exotic species. Tawny has worked in a variety of veterinary settings including in the UK and overseas with a wide range of species and has lectured at numerous national conferences. Tawny’s interests include anaesthesia care and monitoring, exotic patient care, and evidence-based nursing. BSc(Hons) MSc DipVNZS APVN(Zoo) NCert(AnaesthNsg) RVN AFHEA