Summary VET 110VET110MedicalNursingforVeterinaryTechnicianResearchProject %283%29 (1) Vet 110: Medical Nursing for Veterinary Technician Research Project

Vet 110: Medical Nursing for Veterinary Technician Research Project Margaret Amin May 23, 2017 An orogastric tube is an important concept to veterinary medicine and is key to administering fluids in a timely manner to your canine patient. There are a number of reasons why an orogastric tube would be placed in your canine patient, administering medication, food, or fluids through a tube that is passed through the mouth directly into the stomach. By using this procedure, activated charcoal solutions or to lavage the stomach to treat animals that have ingested toxins. Orphan or any weak neonate who cannot nurse on their own, can be fed milk replacer, using the orogastric intubation technique, which is passed through the mouth and into the distal esophagus or stomach of the canine patient. An orogastric tube (OGT) can also be presented in the case to decompress a patient with gastric dilation (bloated stomach). When performing an orogastric intubation you want to make sure that the length of your tube is 10-to 22- French plastic or rubber tube that is required to extend from the tip of the nose to the 13th rib which is then measured and marked on the tube with tape or ink. If your patient requires you to place the tube in the distal esophagus to feed an animal, the distance between the tip of the nose and the 8th rib is then marked. Water-soluble gel is used to lubricate the tip of the tube to make insertion of the tube into the esophagus more accessible. The canine patient is then restrained in sternal recumbency or can also be restrained in a standing or seated position. A roll of tape, a plastic or wooden speculum with a hole in the middle, or in a plastic syringe case with smooth ends is then placed behind the canine tooth to hold the mouth open. The muzzle is kept in a normal position and is held so that the mouth speculum does not become dislodged from the point of insertion. The tube is then slowly and steadily placed through the speculum. When this procedure is done correctly swallowing will be noted as the tube passes over the base of the tongue and into the esophagus. If the canine patient or any patient, coughs the tube may have entered the trachea and should be removed immediately. Once the tube is correctly into the esophagus, it is advanced as the premeasured length until it enters the stomach. Correct placement of the tube in the gastrointestinal tract should ALWAYS be verified before the introduction of any medications or fluids, as this could cause the patient to aspirate into the lungs if not properly placed! If the tube is correctly placed, fluid is then added to the tube with a 60-ml syringe, a metal drench pump, or funnel. After your fluid has been administered, the tube is bent to occlude it and then is withdrawn in a downward direction. This technique prevents a backflow of fluid from entering the trachea.