FAQs

Find answers to our most frequently asked questions below.

You have questions, we have answers.

There is no question too big or too small for our veterinary team. We have provided some answers to our most common questions below.

What are your fees?

Our fees for Anesthesia Case Oversight vary and are dependent on time, required travel, and case complexity. Our fees for staff training also vary depending on the amount and type of training desired. Please contact us for additional information.

Do you travel outside of Colorado and Wisconsin?

Yes! We are willing and able to travel. Remote case assistance and consultations are also available.

Can I schedule with you directly or does my veterinarian need to contact you?

We ask that you discuss utilizing PEAK Veterinary Anesthesia Services with your veterinarian. He or she can contact us directly to schedule anesthesia services. We always work closely with and under the supervision of your veterinarian, so it is important that we can discuss your pet’s medical history as well as the available resources at your veterinarian’s office prior to scheduling. This will allow us to provide the best level of care for your pet.

Do you only perform case management on cats and dogs?

At this time, our services are predominantly focused on anesthesia for dogs, cats, and other small companion animals. We do have experience with other species as well, and we can provide other resources if we are unable to help you directly. Please contact us for more information.

Do you employ anesthesiologists?

We have an anesthesiologist that provides case guidance and occasional training to our staff. Our staff seeks training and continuing education from board-certified anesthesiologist throughout the country. As fully credentialed veterinary technicians and anesthesia specialists, we work closely with and always under the supervision of the primary veterinarian providing care.

What is a VTS?

A Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in Anesthesia and Analgesia is a certified, licensed, or registered veterinary technician who demonstrates superior knowledge in the care and management of anesthesia cases when compared to non-specialized technicians. The supervising organization, the Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Anesthesia and Analgesia, promotes patient safety, professionalism, and excellence in anesthesia care. Please see our blog post, “What is a Veterinary Technician Specialist?” for additional information.

Are you Fear-Free certified?

Our staff is currently undergoing certification in Fear-Free handling techniques.

Do you bring your own drugs and monitoring equipment?

We will always monitor ECG, blood pressure, end-tidal CO2, pulse oximetry, and temperature. If the facility does not have these monitors available, we will bring our own. We do not carry any anesthetic drugs or adjuncts and will always utilize the medications the supervising veterinarian approves and has available on site.

My patient had an adverse anesthetic event. Can I discuss it with you?

We are happy to use our experience to answer questions about cases, but we strongly encourage veterinarians to seek post-event guidance through consultation with a board-certified anesthesiologist and/or criticalist. To find a Diplomate in your area, please refer to www.acvaa.org and/or www.veccs.org.

How can you legally talk about cannabis use in pets?

It is not illegal for a veterinary professional to talk about cannabis use in pets (current research, risks, etc.) but it is illegal to prescribe or recommend marijuana-based products for use in a pet under current Federal guidelines. Marijuana contains high levels of THC (the intoxicating molecule found in the cannabis plant) and is listed as a DEA Schedule 1 controlled substance. On the other hand, hemp contains only trace amounts of THC, and hemp production was legalized with the 2018 Farm Bill. Hemp-derived cannabis products fall under the classification of ‘nutraceutical’, making a prescription unnecessary. We aim to provide harm-reduction education for individuals looking to utilize cannabis in their pets. It is our goal, as cannabis counselors, to provide the guidance necessary to keep animals safe from any harm that may come out of using a poor-quality cannabis product or a product with the wrong molecular profile.

What is included in a cannabis consultation?

We start by providing education to pet owners and their veterinary health care team regarding what makes cannabinoid therapy unique and how cannabis works within the body. Our consultation begins with a thorough review of the pet’s medical history followed by an in-depth conversation with the pet owner to gather additional information regarding therapy goals. Following this, the cannabis counselor will suggest a product that is best suited for the pet’s condition and provide dosing guidance. Three months of monitoring and follow-up care is included.

What is a Veterinary Cannabis Counselor?

A Veterinary Cannabis Counselor (VCC) is a credentialed veterinary technician who has received structured training in how to utilize their medical knowledge to support the veterinary medical team in the rapidly developing field of veterinary cannabinoid medicine. This field is rapidly evolving and can be overwhelming and difficult for pet owners and veterinarians to navigate. VCCs are trained to provide:

• Harm-reduction education regarding cannabis use in veterinary patients
• Product evaluation and guidance for animal-safe cannabis products
• Communication with the veterinary health care team to keep them fully informed of how pet owners are utilizing cannabis in their pet
• Encouragement for appropriate monitoring and diagnostics recommended by their veterinarian.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept cash, debit card, and all major credit cards.