Roundtable Panel Discussion ‘Mastering Caesarean Sections in Small Animal Practice’ (14/03/2025)

Caesarean sections in small animal practice are among the most demanding surgical procedures, requiring swift decision-making, careful planning, and close teamwork. This session will explore the complexities of managing these high-risk cases with expert insights from:

Key Discussion Points

 When and Why to Perform a Caesarean: Criteria for surgical intervention, assessing fetal and maternal health, and when to opt for emergency versus elective procedures.
 Anaesthetic Protocols: Safe anaesthetic choices to protect the mother and ensure neonatal health.
 Pain Management: Effective and safe analgesia options tailored for post-operative recovery and maternal care.
 Neonatal Management: Best practices for immediate care of neonates to improve survival and wellbeing.

This session will provide practical advice to help improve outcomes and minimize complications in caesarean surgeries. Whether you’re experienced with caesareans or looking to refine your approach, this discussion is for you!

Kath Howie

RVN VTS(ECC)

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After qualifying in 2000, Kath continued to work in primary care practice before moving to referral practice and finally emergency and critical care. Kath achieved the VTS(ECC) qualification in 2009 and has then recertified in 2014 and in 2019. Kath is a tutor for the Vets Now certificate in emergency and critical care nursing and spends a lot of time mentoring and developing RVNs both in and outside of the workplace. Veterinary nurses are key to improving outcomes in critically ill patients.

Janette Bailey-Woods

RVN, NCert (Anaesthesia & ECC), VTS (Anaesthesia & Analgesia)

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Janette qualified as an RVN in 2001 and worked in a mixed animal practice in Cumbria for 15 years. In 2013, Janette moved to work in an orthopaedic referral hospital before moving to Wear Referrals, a multi-discipline referral hospital in 2015, where she now works within the anaesthesia team as lead anaesthesia nurse. Janette has gained the NCert ECC and NCert Anaesthesia qualification, and in 2021 achieved the Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in Anaesthesia and Analgesia, a prestigious credential awarded by the Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Anaesthesia and Analgesia and held by only a handful of veterinary nurses in the UK. Out of work, Janette has two dogs, Hector and Goose, she is an outdoor enthusiast, spending time in the forest where she lives, walking up mountains or being on 'Precilla' her much loved mountain bike!      

Stephanie Timmons

Veterinary Surgeon

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Steph graduated from The University of Edinburgh in 2013, and initially did a mix of work at the PDSA and small animal private practice for 18 months. In 2015, she joined VetsNow, and has worked in Emergency and Critical Care ever since. In 2020, she gained her Postgraduate certificate in ECC and Advanced Practitioner status, and is currently an Area Clinical Manager for Kent, Essex and the South Coast. She has had an active in role in undergraduate teaching at various universities and as part of the VetsNow student elective scheme, and has lectured at various ECC conferences and congresses.

Scott Kilpatrick

Director, Internal Medicine Specialist

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Scott graduated from Edinburgh Vet School in 2007. Initially, he worked for the PDSA, before taking a Senior Veterinary Surgeon position with Vets Now in Edinburgh in 2010. Scott started his residency in internal medicine at the University of Edinburgh in 2012 after completing a year as a Teaching Fellow in Anatomy and Physiology. He completed his residency in 2016 after finishing his Masters in the pathogenesis of canine liver disease and has since been working in referral practice. Interventional radiology is something that really interests Scott, and he spent some time in 2018, working in this area at UC Davis in California. Scott has created and delivered a Post-graduate Certificate in Small Animal Emergency Medicine in association with the University of Chester. In 2023 he was awarded Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (FRCVS) for his meritorious contribution to clinical practice.