When to take ET tube out in cats help.

RE: When to take ET tube out in cats help.

Kayleigh Charman — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 12:37:34 GMT

The general rule is to take an ET tube out before the swallowing reflex kicks in and to definitely deflate the cuff if it has one before extubating. I usually read this time to be up to four minute after the blink reflex returns.

RE: When to take ET tube out in cats help.

Susanna Taylor — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 15:14:58 GMT

You should aim to remove a cats ET tube just prior to swallowing so that their laryngeal tissue is not damaged or begins spasming

With no crystal ball (!) you have to rely on the return of other reflexes to guide you to the likelihood of the timing of the swallow reflex.

Personally, I look for return of jaw tone and find that when they have good jaw tone you can extubate and they swallow just after.

If there is a risk of aspiration, you can extubate later on the grounds that the risk of damage/spasm is less than the risk of spasm.

RE: When to take ET tube out in cats help.

enigmaticat-uk — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 17:29:08 GMT

At my previous practice I was taught to remove the tube just before they swallowed, so usually when other signs appear eg palprebral reflex and ear flick. However in my current prcatice I have been told to wait until they actually swallow or move their tongue. Personally I prefer to remove before they swallow unless I have concerns about their airway due to conformation or other issue - then I do like to leave it as late as possible. Not sure what is taught these day though (I trained 14 years ago)

RE: When to take ET tube out in cats help.

Rachael_24 — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 07:19:54 GMT

I extubate once a strong palpebral reflex has returned

RE: When to take ET tube out in cats help.

SVN Kent — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 21:05:13 GMT

Hi Colin,our protocol is to extubate once pinna and palpebral reflex observed and before swallow reflex,