Veterinary Medicine - January 2009 - (Page 19)

Idea Exchange tips from the trenches A visible reminder to remove that gauze To absorb water during a dental procedure, we place gauze around the endotracheal tube. We roll a 3-x-3-in gauze square and tie a piece of yarn around the middle of it. The other end of the yarn is left hanging outside of the patient’s mouth, ready to be pulled out when the procedure is complete. The yarn prevents us from forgetting about the gauze and leaving it inside the patient’s mouth. Michael Gavar, CVT Saanichton, British Columbia Increase fecal compliance with prepayment Reduce costs and waste by reusing syringe caps When we use allergy syringes (BD) in the hospital, we save the gray caps because they ﬁ t the 1-ml Metacam (Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica) oral dosing syringes. We used to buy caps for the Metacam syringes that go home with our patients, but this method saves money and helps the environment. Donna Miller, veterinary assistant Bakersfield, Calif. We keep fecal containers marked with prepaid labels on hand. We offer these containers to clients who have forgotten to bring fecal samples to their pets’ annual visit, and we charge them for the fecal examination at that time. Since the owners have already paid for the exam, they almost always drop off the fecal sample later. Our fecal examination compliance has increased tremendously. Dr. Jatain Sondhi Buffalo, N.Y. A greener use for refrigerator magnets Over the years, I have received many promotional magnets. Rather than throwing them away, I reuse these magnets by copying the lists that used to be attached to the refrigerator door to card stock and taping or gluing the lists to the magnets. When we need to stock a room or pull slides for a chemistry panel, we borrow the appropriate magnet. The list always gets put back where it belongs. Kate Wilcox, CVT Hampton, N.H. Skin scrape without the blade To prevent accidental lacerations during a skin scrape, I use a stainless steel microspatula with a ﬂat-ended blade (Fisher Scientiﬁc). It is especially useful when a skin scrape for mites is needed around the eyes or other sensitive areas. This tool is just as effective as a No. 10 scalpel blade but is much safer. It can also be easily cleaned and reused. Dr. Valerie Price Glen Allen, Va. Send us your great idea, and we’ll send you $50! E-mail us at vm@advanstar.com, send a fax to (913) 871-3808, or write to Idea Exchange Editor at 8033 Flint, Lenexa, KS 66214. VETERINARY MEDICINE January 2009 19

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Veterinary Medicine - January 2009

Veterinary Medicine - January 2009 Contents Leading Off Letters Research Updates Idea Exchange A Modified Subconjunctival Enucleation Technique in Dogs and Cats Local and Regional Anesthesia Techniques Author Guidelines Product Preview CE Form/Advertiser Index Marketplace/Classifieds Mind Over Miller

Veterinary Medicine - January 2009

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