Rabbit intubation

RE: Rabbit intubation

Chris Geddes — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 16:46:17 GMT

Thanks for your comments Melanie. We have a vet from our Irish distributor going in to Nichola's practice to give a demo so hopefully they will be up and running soon! If anyone else has a v-gel and is afraid to use it, do get in touch and we will do our best to get you some training - we do hear stories now and then of them sitting in cupboards and it's such a shame - when people start to use them they tend to really like them - see some videos on our Facebook page from some people who came to our stand at the VMX expo last week for example! There are lots of videos and CPD training materials on our website (www.docsinnovent.com) but I know sometimes only 1:1 training will do, and we'll try to arrange that where possible - even if it's on Skype if you live somewhere remote!

Chris

RE: Rabbit intubation

Melanie Foster — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 15:50:27 GMT

We have started using the V-gel more often in Rabbits. Its mostly getting used to the change that is most difficult. Definitely get a rep to come in and do a talk and demonstration. They are a great tool. Do you have a capnograph? It is best to have the V-gel hooked up to a capnograph so you get confirmation the placement is correct. Also the tie should be done with the knot at the bottom not the top. Sizing is also important. This website has all the information you need and a 36 question exam which counts towards 5hrs of CPD. Also recommend Lagolearn.

RE: Rabbit intubation

Chris Geddes — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 14:55:25 GMT

Hi Nichola,

I work for Docsinnovent, who make the v-gel. It's a real shame to hear that you have v-gels but aren't using them. If you drop me an email (chris@docsinnovent.com) I can see if we can have someone visit your practice at some point to help. I'm confident that if you have someone show you, you'll find them very easy to use.

Chris

RE: Rabbit intubation

Julie-Anne Wilson — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 19:23:35 GMT

Laryngoscope if you have one, auroscope if not.

Our vets spray the throat much like you do with cats. Use the scope to see the trachea and place a small urinary catheter down the scope into the trachea. Remove the scope and feed the tube over the urinary catheter until it's in place. Ceck it's in the same way you would with a dog or a cat.

We generally use a 2.5 tube for most rabbits unless exceptionally large. I was at a CPD where they said general rule of thumb is 1mm diameter to 1kg body weight but we use the 2.5 tube in rabbits that way less than 2kg and haven't had any issues.

RE: Rabbit intubation

Celine — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 01:41:45 GMT

Find Lagolearn on Facebook, this is a rabbit-only CPD company run by a vet and nurse who are all things bunny. They actually had a thread on here a while back about this very subject, maybe search for v-gel or Jo Hinde in the search box at the top of the page?

They also do very good practical demos with laryngeal models to demonstrate correct vgel placement.

RE: Rabbit intubation

James Colver Cert. Ed, RVN — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 21:45:04 GMT

Hello! I am no expert on this but I have seen people do a number of things over the years to help them intubate rabbits

- measure ETT against rabbit

- some people use a wee bit of lidocaine

- looking for condensation in the ETT

- I have seen many people put their ear against the ETT connector

- I have seen some people use a stylet in the ETT

- using capnograh to confirm correct placement

- And most importantly, don't persist after a couple of unsuccessful attempts as the risk of an upset / oedematous larynx is too great

Some links -

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00Man/VeterinaryTechniques/Indiv_TechniquesRabbit/EndotrachealIntubationRabbit.htm

http://www.exoticpetmedicine.com/article/S1557-5063(16)30178-1/pdf