Veterinary anesthesia expert Tasha McNerney, CVT, CVPP, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia) joins The Cone of Shame Podcast with Dr. Andy Roark to break down the role of butorphanol (Torb) in veterinary practice today. They dive into its sedative vs. analgesic properties, when it shines, and when it falls short, especially in pain management. Tasha explains opioid receptor interactions, how to think critically about using butorphanol in different cases, and why it might still deserve a spot on your clinic’s shelf. Plus, they discuss Tasha’s new book, "Pain Management for Vet Techs and Nurses," and the upcoming Veterinary Anesthesia Nerds Symposium. If you’ve ever wondered, "Do I still need Torb?" This episode is for you! Let’s get into it.

LINKS

Veterinary Anesthesia Nerds

Pain Management for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses

Dr. Know-It-All Card Game

Dr. Andy Roark Charming the Angry Client Team Training Course

Dr. Andy Roark Swag: drandyroark.com/shop

All Links: linktr.ee/DrAndyRoark

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Tasha McNerney, CVT, CVPP, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia) has been dedicated to the field of veterinary anesthesia and surgery since earning her CVT in 2005. She became a Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner (CVPP) in 2013 and earned her Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in Anesthesia & Analgesia in 2015, solidifying her expertise in pain management and perioperative care.

Tasha is a respected speaker on anesthesia and pain management, presenting at veterinary conferences around the world. She has authored numerous articles and blogs, sharing her knowledge to improve patient comfort and safety. In 2013, she founded Veterinary Anesthesia Nerds, a thriving online community with over 65,000 members committed to advancing anesthesia and pain management practices.

When she’s not in the clinic or on stage, Tasha enjoys tackling home renovation projects on her 1920s fixer-upper, inspired by an ever-growing collection of YouTube tutorials. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband, son, one exceptionally well-behaved cat, and one... less cooperative feline.

Dr. Donnell Hansen joins The Cone of Shame Podcast with Dr. Andy Roark to discuss oral tumors in dog. Together they discuss how to recognize them, when to biopsy, and how to talk to pet owners about what comes next. Dr. Hansen breaks down the diagnostic process, explains when a fine needle aspirate won’t cut it, and shares best practices for pain management and treatment options. She also dives into the importance of setting client expectations and how to approach these cases with both confidence and compassion. Let’s get into this episode.

LINKS



Four Legged Tooth Fairy:

https://fourleggedtoothfairy.com/

Dr. Know-It-All Card Game:

https://drandyroark.com/product/dr-know-it-all-card-game/

Dr. Andy Roark Charming the Angry Client Team Training Course:

http://drandyroark.com/shop

Dr. Andy Roark Swag: drandyroark.com/shop

http://drandyroark.com/shop

All Links: linktr.ee/DrAndyRoark

Dr. Donnell Hansen, a Minnesota native, and a small group of friends joined together to form the Moxie Center (which was the first hospital to be now known as BluePearl) in Minnesota’s twin cities of Minneapolis/Saint Paul. Although her daily life is spent in specialty care, in 2011, her and her husband, also a veterinarian, opened Rice Creek Animal Hospital which provides a little balance and perspective about life in family practice. In 2019, Donnell developed Four Legged Tooth Fairy, an interactive small group conference center for the veterinary community to enhance their patient health, practice health, and mental health through veterinary dentistry. Dr. Hansen’s special interest in maxillofacial surgery, however the truth is, she loves the whole darn gig… especially when she gets to share the fun of veterinary dentistry with others!

Dr. Andrew Woolcock, internist at Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, returns to the Cone of Shame podcast to discuss the metabolic phenomenon of hypoglycemia in dogs. In this insightful Hall of Fame episode, Dr. Woolcock and Dr. Andy Roark break down the common causes of hypoglycemia, diagnostic approaches, and effective treatment strategies for both young and older dogs. This episode also highlights emergency stabilization protocols, including when and how to administer dextrose supplementation effectively, as well as the role of nutritional management in preventing recurrent episodes. Dr. Woolcock’s expertise offers actionable insights to help veterinary teams confidently manage hypoglycemia in canine patients. Let’s get into this episode!

LINKS:

Freestyle Libre Continuous Glucose Monitor

Critical Care Textbooks for Veterinarians

Nutritional Management Resources

Dr. Know-It-All Card Game

Dr. Andy Roark Charming the Angry Client Team Training Course

Dr. Andy Roark Swag: drandyroark.com/shop

All Links: linktr.ee/DrAndyRoark

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Dr. Woolcock is a veterinary internist. He’s from the Midwest and did his schooling at Michigan State University, where he graduated with his DVM. After an internship at North Carolina State University, Dr. Woolcock completed a residency in small animal internal medicine at the University of Georgia. He joined the faculty at Purdue University in 2015, and is currently an Associate Professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine. Dr. Woolcock loves the complex puzzles that internal medicine patients present, and loves working with students as they put the pieces together. He loves all-things-medicine, because physiology is so fascinating, but he especially gravitates toward immune-mediated diseases and endocrinology. Dr. Woolcock enjoys his clinical practice, but also his research in oxidative stress, and the scholarship of teaching and learning. When he’s not at work, Dr. Woolcock is likely watching old movies with his husband and their dog, Auggie (not sure of what breed he is, so they invented one for him – a Miniature Fluftoffee).