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Emergency Veterinary Care
LAT Chapter 12
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Chapter 12
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Introduction
Chapter 12
• Laboratory animal technicians will bring the emergency
situation to the attention of the veterinarian or supervisor.
• They are also the ones who, under the direction of the
veterinarian, may carry out the emergency procedures.
• The basic steps for dealing with emergency situations
should be mastered by laboratory animal technicians.
Surgical Emergency Procedures
Chapter 12
• Anesthetic Emergencies
 Cardiac or respiratory arrest => open an airway to facilitate
administration of oxygen.
 Rabbits and larger, this is often accomplished by inserting
endotracheal tube into the trachea.
 Placement of an endotracheal tube = intubation.
 Laryngoscope is a flat blade with a light on the end.
• The blade depresses the tongue and the light illuminates the
posterior pharynx and the laryngeal opening.
• Antagonist - counteracts the effects of the anesthetic in
the event of accidental overdosing or complications
during the surgical procedure.
 Know which antagonist works best with anesthetic being used,
and have antagonist available for emergency.
Intubation 1 of 5
Intubation 2 of 5
Intubation 3 of 5
Intubation 4 of 5
Intubation 5 of 5
Post-Surgical Complications
Chapter 12
• Monitor closely for > five days.
 includes body temperature, appetite, and urination and defecation.
 watch for bleeding, dehiscence, redness, swelling or discharge.
 observe for self-trauma, licking or chewing the wound or sutures.
 record observations in a log book or individual record.
• Shock is a life-threatening emergency.
 peripheral circulation fails either because of excessive fluid loss or
loss of circulatory control.
 signs - pale gums, clammy or cold skin, < bp, rapid weak pulse,
decreased respiration, restless, anxious, dazed, or unconscious
 Treatment of shock varies with severity:
1. Keep the patient quiet and warm (not hot).
2. Administer intravenous fluids.
3. Administer antibiotics.
Shock
Chapter 12
Nonsurgical Emergencies
Chapter 12
Serious Illness
• Bacterial, viral, and parasitic disease can be lifethreatening.
• Respiratory problem => pneumonia overnight.
 Observant animal technicians can detect respiratory problems in
their early stages and bring them to the attention of the facility
veterinarian before they become more serious problems.
• Animal may be treated with antibiotics and supportive
therapy, or may be euthanized.
• Seriously ill animals may require fluids and supplemental
nutrition, heat, or oxygen.
Check Heartbeat & Respiration
Chapter 12
Dystocia
Chapter 12
• Dystocia: non-productive, painful labor
• Large pregnant animals, check at least twice daily near
the end of gestation period.
• Once in labor, check as often and as quietly as possible.
 Have an idea of how long animal has been having contractions.
 Most animals deliver at night or early in the morning.
• Dystocia or uterine inertia treated with various
contraction-stimulating drugs.
• Cesarean section performed if drug
therapy contraindicated or ineffective.
Neonatal mini-pigs under a heat lamp
Injuries from Fighting
Chapter 12
• Separate combatants immediately.
 Cats, dogs, pigs and monkeys can inflict
severe injuries and on anyone who attempts to intervene.
 Place physical barriers between combatants, or splash a bucket
of cold water on them to end a severe fight.
• Injuries include internal injuries, lacerations, puncture
wounds, torn ears, and broken or amputated limbs.
• Lacerations should be cleaned, damaged tissue excised
(debrided), and the wound sutured.
• Puncture wounds probed to remove hair and dirt.
 Keep puncture wounds open for drainage, antibiotic therapy
should be given at this time.
• Amputations require first aid to stop hemorrhaging,
followed by debridement and suturing.
Trapped Animals
A trapped muzzle?
Chapter 12
• A common mechanical emergency,
especially among dogs and monkeys,
is a trapped paw.
 Rodent limbs or tails become trapped in a cage floor or feeder.
• Sometimes the application of some lubricant to the area
is all that is necessary to free the animal.
• A large screwdriver or crowbar can often be used as a
pry bar to aid releasing a trapped appendage.
• Cage bars may need to be cut in order to free an animal.
 Since most cages are made of heavy gauge stainless steel, a
heavy duty bolt cutter may be required.
• Animal may be frightened or in pain and difficult to handle
=> anesthetize in order to be released.
Flooded Cages
Chapter 12
• Due to automatic watering system
problems or water bottles leak
• Guinea pigs have a tendency to play with their watering
valves and stuff food into them => valve leakage.
 Problem can be prevented by using cages that have flanges
which direct water leakage out of the cage.
• If flooding occurs, it must be corrected before the cage
fills and drowns the animals.
• Soaked animals should be dried, placed in dry bedding,
and provided with supplemental heat until they regain a
normal appearance.
Poisonings
Chapter 12
• Poisoning rarely occurs in an
animal facility but could if animals
were subjected to insecticide and
disinfectant dips.
• Majority of poisoning cases occur in the receiving or
quarantine areas of the facility, when newly arrived dogs
and cats are dipped or treated for external parasites.
• For contact poisons, the first line of treatment is to flush
the animal with water or give it a soap and water bath to
remove as much of the poison as possible.
 Technicians should wear waterproof gloves during this procedure.
The Emergency Cart
Chapter 12
Prepare emergency cart in anticipation of emergencies:
 Have drugs, equipment, dosage lists and SOPs possibly needed.
 Check supplies and replace with new items to ensure that expired
drugs, deteriorated tubing, syringes, or other materials don’t
interfere with emergency care.
 Cover container of stored equipment with a easily torn tape such
as masking tape.
• Tape a place for initials along with date of most recent refilling.
• In an emergency, tape can be quickly and easily removed.
 For a complete list of the equipment, drugs, and supplies needed
for an emergency cart see Fundamental Techniques in Veterinary
Surgery, listed in the “Additional Reading” section below.
The Emergency Cart
Chapter 12
Facility Emergency Plan
Chapter 12
• For use during natural disasters such as floods,
hurricanes, tornados and earthquakes
• A written SOP outlining:
 responsibilities of each member of the animal facility staff
 location of flashlights, first-aid kits and other
emergency equipment
 a designated meeting place for all personnel
• Review plan annually.
Additional Reading
Chapter 12
1. Kirk, R.W. and Bistner, S.I. Handbook of Veterinary
Procedures and Emergency Treatment, 6th Ed. W.B.
Saunders, Philadelphia, PA, 1995.
2. Recognition and Alleviation of Pain and Distress in
Laboratory Animals, National Research Council, National
Academy Press, 1992.
3. Knecht, C.D. et al. Fundamental Techniques in Veterinary
Surgery, 3rd Ed. W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, PA, 1987.