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Key Takeaways from Dr Makepeace’s Webinar on Local Anaesthetics in Veterinary Practice
Local anaesthetics are some of the most valuable and underused tools in veterinary medicine.
In this practical webinar, veterinary anaesthesia resident Dr Charlie Makepeace provides a clinically focused introduction to local anaesthetics, covering everything from basic pharmacology and toxicity to common nerve blocks and epidural techniques used in everyday practice.
Designed specifically for veterinary students and new graduates, the session focuses on real-world clinical application rather than overly theoretical learning. It is particularly useful for students preparing for the NAVLE or other veterinary licensing exams, as local anaesthesia is becoming an increasingly important and examinable topic within veterinary medicine.
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What the Webinar Covers
- How local anaesthetics work
- Sodium channel blockade and nerve conduction
- The differences between commonly used drugs
- Safe dosing and toxicity prevention
- Practical local and regional anaesthetic techniques
- Epidural analgesia
- Ultrasound-guided nerve blocks
- Clinical analgesia tips for practice
Common Drugs and Safety
Charlie discusses commonly used agents including:
- Lidocaine
- Bupivacaine
- Ropivacaine
- Procaine
The webinar also covers:
- Drug onset and duration
- Why pKa and concentration matter
- Mixing local anaesthetic agents
- Safe dose calculations
- Toxicity signs and prevention
- Intralipid therapy for severe toxicity
This section is especially valuable for students beginning clinical work and learning how to safely use local anaesthetic drugs in practice.
Practical Techniques Covered
A major focus of the webinar is introducing practical techniques that can easily be incorporated into clinical work.
Local Techniques
- Splash blocks
- Line blocks
- Wound soaker catheters
- Lidocaine patches
- Chest drain analgesia
- EMLA cream
Dental and Head Blocks
- Maxillary nerve blocks
- Infraorbital blocks
- Mandibular nerve blocks
- Retrobulbar blocks
Limb and Regional Blocks
- Brachial plexus blocks
- Femoral-sciatic blocks
- Sciatic-saphenous blocks
- Tibial and peroneal nerve blocks
The webinar also explores the use of nerve stimulators and ultrasound-guided techniques, discussing the benefits and limitations of each approach.
Epidurals and Advanced Analgesia
The session also introduces:
- Lumbar-sacral epidurals
- Coccygeal epidurals
- Epidural drug selection
- Common complications and contraindications
Additional topics include:
- Bier blocks (IV regional anaesthesia)
- Intra-articular analgesia
- Systemic lidocaine use
- Equine lameness diagnostics
Why Watch This Webinar?
Throughout the session, Charlie emphasises that local anaesthetic techniques are:
- Simple to learn
- Inexpensive
- Highly effective
- Often underused in practice
For veterinary students and new graduates, this webinar offers:
- Clinically relevant teaching
- Practical analgesia advice
- Exam-focused learning
- Real-world anaesthesia tips
- Confidence-building guidance for practice
Whether you are preparing for exams, improving your anaesthesia knowledge, or looking for practical techniques you can immediately apply in practice, this webinar provides an excellent introduction to local anaesthesia in veterinary medicine.
Download and watch the full webinar to strengthen your understanding of local anaesthetic techniques and improve your confidence in veterinary analgesia and anaesthesia.
If you’re looking to move roles after graduation or if you’re looking for a role once you graduate our team can help.
You can call us on 01423 813453 or email us at [email protected]
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Talk to a specialist
Chris Ellerker
Divisional Director – Veterinary Division
I have over 12 years of recruitment experience, working my way up from Candidate Resourcer, Recruitment Consultant, Business Manager, to Divisional Director. I manage/run our Dentistry and Locum Vet teams here at Prospect Health. I thoroughly enjoy finding candidates a rewarding position that meets their expectations and supporting them through the process of registration/compliance (the fun bit), as well as throughout their placement/booking…