CLINIC HQ

10.4.2.1. ASNA Anesthetic Protocols

We seek to maximize safety, speed, and stress reduction at clinics.

We endorse, support, and promote the ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance (ASNA) exam, anesthetic, and pain management protocols. These are outlined below.

Dog Drug Charts

The following formulas can be plugged into HQ to generate dose amounts populated in Patient Flow.

Pre-Medication

We support a pre-medication for all dogs entering any HVSN clinic, at the moment they enter the clinic. Here is our recommended protocol based on the ASNA protocol:

  1. Dogs come into the lobby, and an exam that takes less than one minute is conducted. The animals are being accessed to determine if they are healthy enough for anesthesia and surgery.
  2. If they are cleared, they are weighed on a scale in kgs which sits directly behind the desk in the lobby.
  3. The dog is then given a pre-medication (“pre-med”) of acepromazine and hydromorphone. This process is the same for owned animals and shelter animals. Generally, within three minutes of being in the building, the animals are examined and sedated, and put in a kennel.
  4. The formulas are entered into the Drug Log Setting, and HQ displays the dose amount on a computer screen.
  • ASNA uses one Surface Go tablet in the lobby operated by the exam veterinarian. As soon as the dose is administered to the patient, the veterinarian pushes the Given button in HQ.
  • Dogs should get a pre-med of acepromazine plus hydromorphone the moment they are admitted to the clinic.
    ASNA Pre-Med for Dogs

Drug Draw & Induction

The following drugs are then drawn and placed in baggie with baggie insert.


  • Meloxicam should have rounding to the hundredths.
  • Ketamine should round to hundredths for 0.90-5.0kg, and tenths for 5.1kg and up
  • Midazolam should also round to hundredths 0.90-5.0kg, and tenths for 5.1kg and up
  • Acepromazine (1mg/mL) should round to hundredths for 0.9-1.90kg, and for Acepromazine (10mg/mL) it rounds to hundredths for up until 19kg

Cat Drug Charts

We support ASNA’s drug protocols for cats, using TTDEX and Meloxicam.

HERE are the downloadable drug charts for your clinic, and HERE is a link to download charts directly from the ASPCA.

* Note: The dropbox link contains a chart with the most up-to-date protocols where hydromorphone is concentrated at 10mg/ml. We recognize that hydromorphone is often on backorder, that clinics have to find an alternative concentration, and that many clinics use 2mg/ml. This dosage is outlined on the charts downloadable on the ASPCA link.