Expert Care to Support New Zealand Vets and Pets
We offer in-house anaesthesia management, remote consultation, and training services to enhance patient safety and surgical outcomes, supporting veterinary general practitioners and referral hospitals across New Zealand.
Hello, pleased to meet you!
I'm Dr Joana Chagas
I'm Dr Joana Chagas, a board-certified veterinary anaesthesiologist with over 10 years of experience supporting animals through anaesthesia and pain management. I am currently the only board-certified specialist in this field working in private practice in New Zealand.
I've worked across university, referral, and general practice settings, and my clinical work is centred on providing safe, thoughtful anaesthesia and peri-operative care-especially for older, higher-risk, or medically complex patients. My aim is to ensure that animals can receive the procedures they need, even when anaesthesia feels daunting. I work closely with veterinarians before, during, and after anaesthesia, offering support with planning, monitoring, and decision-making, always with patient safety and comfort at the forefront.
Alongside clinical work, teaching and supporting veterinary teams is a big part of what I do. I enjoy providing practical, hands-on training for veterinarians and veterinary nurses, focused on real-world cases and everyday practice. My goal is to make anaesthesia and pain management feel more approachable and consistent, helping teams feel confident and supported in their care.
Through both hands-on clinical support and education, my aim is to support veterinarians and improve outcomes for animals across New Zealand, promoting calm, compassionate, and safe anaesthetic care.
Please feel free to send a message to see how we can help.
Registered Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia (ACVAA)
Residency training at University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)
Passionate about teaching and elevating quality of care
Strong advocate of stress-free interactions
Based in New Zealand since 2016
For Veterinarians
Comprehensive Anaesthesia Solutions for Your Practice
From on-site support to remote consultations and staff training, we offer flexible services designed to meet your clinic's unique needs.
- Complete anaesthetic management
- Multimodal analgesia
- Advanced monitoring
- Post-operative recovery care
- Remote
- Patient history review
- Customised anaesthetic plan
- Pre & post-op guidance
- Customised content
- Hands-on practical sessions
- For the whole veterinary team
How it works
- 1. Complete our registration form. This one-off clinic registration gives you access to the clinic portal for referrals and bookings. Complete the questionnaire on equipment and medications so we can prepare appropriately. Once approved, you can log in to the clinic portal.
- 2. Log in to the clinic portal. Use the credentials from your approval email to access the portal, where you can submit referrals and manage bookings.
- 3. Complete the referral form. Submit patient details, procedure type, and any relevant history so we can prepare the anaesthetic plan and schedule accordingly.
- 4. Choose the required service and book the appointment date that suits you best. We will contact you to confirm the procedure date and time, discuss pre-anaesthesia recommendations, and ensure all details are aligned.
- 5. Anaesthetic planning. We review the patient's history and create an individualised anaesthesia and pain management plan. We advise if further workup is recommended and discuss the plan with you.
- 6. Day of the procedure. We come to your clinic and manage all aspects of anaesthesia—equipment setup, sedation, monitoring, analgesia, and recovery—so you can focus solely on the procedure. We also offer consultation with the client to discuss the anaesthesia process and risks.
- 7. Post-op care. We monitor the patient during recovery to ensure they remain comfortable and stable, then hand over to your team for continued care until discharge.
For online consultation only, book a time for a phone case discussion. For CPD on a specific topic, email us directly.
For Pet Owners
Your Beloved Pet Deserves the Best Care
We understand that having your beloved pet undergo a procedure can be overwhelming. We are here to help provide the safest anaesthesia for patients undergoing routine procedures and those at increased risk of anaesthetic complications, ensuring the highest level of care and best outcomes.
How to Access Our Services
If you would like a specialist anaesthetist to look after your animal, contact us or your primary clinician and check if our services are available for your pet's procedure.
Contact UsFAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What services do you offer?
We provide specialist anaesthesia case management, remote anaesthesia consultation, and practical training for veterinary teams.
Do you support clinics outside Auckland?
Yes. We support clinics across New Zealand with on-site and virtual options, depending on the service required.
How quickly do you respond to enquiries?
Most non-urgent enquiries are answered within 24-48 hours.
How do we book a service?
First register your clinic, then use the clinic portal to submit referral details and request a booking.
Can pet owners contact you directly?
Yes. Pet owners can contact us directly, or ask their primary veterinarian to coordinate specialist anaesthesia support.
Get in Touch
Let's Discuss How We Can Support You
Whether you need on-demand anaesthesia support, want to develop custom protocols, or are interested in training for your team — please feel free to send a message to discuss how we can help.
Service Area
New Zealand (On-site & Virtual)
Response Time
Within 24-48 hours for non-urgent enquiries