Your New Favorite Analgesic: Using Alpha 2s to Your Advantage

This lecture will provide veterinary technicians with a comprehensive overview of alpha-2 agonists, including commonly used agents such as medetomidine, dexmedetomidine, and clonidine. Participants will explore the pharmacology, mechanisms of action, and clinical effects of these drugs, including sedation, analgesia, and muscle relaxation, as well as the cardiovascular and respiratory considerations that make their use unique. Through case examples, the session will highlight practical applications in both routine and high-risk patients, appropriate dosing strategies, reversal protocols, and monitoring priorities. By the end of the lecture, technicians will have a solid understanding of how to safely and effectively incorporate alpha-2 agonists into anesthesia and sedation plans across a variety of patient scenarios.