"The Risk of Death: The Confidential Enquiry Into Perioperative Small Animal Fatalities (CEPSAF)” was a large-scale study by David Brodbelt that identified the risk factors associated with anaesthesia morbidity and mortality in cats and dogs. It found that cats have an overall mortality rate of 1:419, compared to 1:601 in dogs. But why is this?
Risk factors in feline anaesthesia included endotracheal intubation and intravenous fluid therapy administration, among other things. As these are often unavoidable factors in anaesthesia, how can we mitigate them?
In this webinar, we will discuss several of the identified risk factors in depth so we can understand and plan for the safest anaesthesia possible.
The Australian Veterinary Nurse and Technician (AVNAT) Regulatory Council has allocated (1) AVNAT CPD point to this continuing education activity.
Recording from 21 September 2022
Speaker:
Courtney Scales
DipVN, NCert Anaesth, PgCertVAA, RVN
Courtney is originally from New Zealand, where she trained and qualified. She began her career in veterinary nursing in 2007 and worked in multiple clinics in New Zealand before moving to Australia, before relocating to the UK and working in the anaesthesia department of a university hospital and referral hospitals.
Courtney started Veterinary Anursethesia in 2016 while completing her Nurses Certificate in Anaesthesia with Improve International, then studied towards her postgraduate certificate in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia through Edinburgh University, which was awarded with distinction.
She has published several journal articles and textbook chapters and is currently authoring two veterinary textbooks due to be published in 2026 (with Wiley and CABI), and speaks at CPD events and national congresses all over the world. In 2025, Courtney started here Post-Graduate Certificate in Veterinary Education, Mentorship and Leadership with the University of Central Lancaster.
