How often have you faced an anesthetic complication during surgery and been concerned about the best way to handle the problem? Anesthesia and analgesia specialists dedicate their careers to ensuring pet safety during procedures and learning the intricate complexities of their field. Designing an effective anesthetic protocol and knowing the quick action required when things go awry necessitates a thorough understanding of the interaction of an individual patient with the drugs and anesthetics during anesthesia. 

Because primary care veterinarians encounter anesthetic and sedation cases daily, our VESPECON team knew we needed to include several anesthesiologists on our consulting team. Here, we share more about Dr. Jeannette Cremer, the only veterinary anesthesiologist currently practicing in Louisiana, who joined our team to expand her expertise’s reach whenever needed.

Veterinary anesthesia and analgesia: A day in the life

Veterinary anesthesiologists ensure patient safety during anesthetic events and use various modalities to control their patients’ pain. They typically work in a large referral practice with multiple specialty departments and consult throughout the hospital. They most often work with dogs and cats, but also tackle large animal and exotic pet cases. 

Anesthesiologists are responsible for examining patients prior to anesthesia, determining complicating risk factors, prescribing a safe anesthetic plan, overseeing medical staff, and monitoring for or treating any anesthetic complications. Many veterinary anesthesiologists also regularly consult with and provide CE regarding anesthesia and pain management to other veterinarians outside their practice.

What can a veterinary anesthesiologist treat?

A veterinary anesthesiologist primarily manages individual anesthetic cases and treats pain. Any condition that requires surgery, sedation, or pain control falls under the anesthesia team’s purview. The anesthesiologist most commonly deals on a daily basis with the following patients:

  • Unstable
  • High anesthesia risk
  • Acute pain
  • Chronic pain
  • Intraoperative anesthetic complications, including hypotension, arrhythmia, hypothermia, or adverse drug reaction
  • Postoperative anesthetic complications, including prolonged recovery, aspiration pneumonia, or decompensation of pre-existing medical conditions

Dr. Jeannette Cremer: Q & A

Here are Dr. Cremer’s answers to our questions that will help general practitioners know her better.

Question: Where did you complete your veterinary education?
Answer: I obtained my veterinary degree from Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich, Germany.

Q: Where are you from, and where do you currently live?
A: I am from Ulm, Germany, and currently live in Baton Rouge, LA.

Q: Why did you choose to pursue a veterinary specialty?
A: General practice is like being a triathlete—you have to be good at all disciplines to succeed. I am better at focusing on one discipline.

Q: What do you enjoy most about anesthesia and analgesia?
A: I enjoy working with different species—small animal, equine, food animal, and exotic.

Q: What has been your most fulfilling or interesting case as a veterinary specialist?
A: Every case where I provide a safe anesthesia for my patient is fulfilling.

Q: How did you come to work with VESPECON?
A: A colleague of mine asked if I would be interested in consulting.

Q: How does working with anesthesia and analgesia through VESPECON benefit or help general practitioners?
A: I am currently the only board-certified veterinary anesthesiologist in the state of Louisiana. Through VESPECON, general practitioners across Louisiana and other states are able to connect easily with an anesthesiologist to consult on more complicated cases.

Q: Tell us about your two- and four-legged family members.
A: I share my home with my partner, and together we cater to two dogs and two cats.

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?
A: I love to garden, I am an avid swimmer and golfer, and I like to play the guitar.

Q: What is the most interesting place you have traveled? Any specific destinations on your bucket list?
A: My travels have led me to beautiful southern Louisiana. Hawaii is on my bucket list.

You can pick Dr. Cremer’s brain by signing up with VESPECON to use our specialized consulting services. Our virtual video chat platform allows fast, in-the-moment, face-to-face connections, so you get the help you need when you need it, including while you’re in surgery facing an unexpected anesthetic complication. 

The VESPECON team consists of many talented veterinary specialists covering multiple disciplines who will collaborate to provide you with the support you need to elevate care in your practice. Contact us to learn more about our services, or visit our website to learn about our other talented team members.