How to Set Up and Pressure Check a Circle System and Anesthetic Machine

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Free for Elite Members

February 2026

In this VETgirl online veterinary continuing education video, Amanda M. Shelby, RVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia) demonstrates the setup of two circle system patient breathing circuits on a veterinary anesthetic machine. We also demonstrate how to perform a positive pressure leak test. Positive pressure leak tests should be part of every anesthetist’s routine pre-anesthetic checklist procedure before anesthetizing a patient. If you don’t have an anesthetic checklist, check out and download our VETgirl Anesthetic Resource Bundle—which includes an anesthetic checklist, anesthetic monitoring record, and anesthetic SOAP worksheet!

Not sure how to use the checklist, check out this VETgirl blog HERE.

Reference:
Dorsch JA, Dorsch SE. Understanding Anesthesia Equipment. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2007. Ch. 33, p. 940.

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