Veterinary Medicine - November 2007 - (Page 712)

Idea Exchange tips from the trenches No need to disturb patients when removing air bubbles from the IV line If you have an animal that is already comfortably hooked up to fluids and you see an air bubble or bubbles in the line, instead of disconnecting the fluids, stick a needle (any gauge) into one of the ports below the bubble and let the bubble run out through the needle. The pet can stay resting comfortably. Denise Petrick, veterinary assistant Chicago, Ill. Get a little support from the human hospitals Our local human hospital upgraded its equipment, and we purchased several of its old patient bedside tables. We place a table outside our exam rooms to provide extra writing space. And we use another table as a large Mayo stand for procedures in our treatment area. The tables are longer than a conventional stand and feel sturdier, but they are narrow enough not to block the natural traffic flow in the hallway and around the treatment table. Also, the tables can be adjusted to accommodate a person sitting or standing. Dr. Andrew G. Smith East Ridge, Tenn. Always be prepared with assorted collars and leashes We never let clients leave their pets’ collars and leashes in the hospital because they could accidentally become lost. Instead, we keep an assortment of collars and leashes with clasps— blue and pink, small to large, for cats and for dogs—on hand to use. Dr. Mark Van Elzen Chicago, Ill. Easier enemas in tiny animals In addition to providing constipated animals with appropriate fluid therapy and medications, perform an enema to remove stool when appropriate by inserting a red rubber tube (8 to 12 F) in the center of the stool mass and applying suction and gentle traction on the tube. This method is especially helpful in tiny animals that can’t be manually extracted. Dr. Gina Hanfland Taylorsville, Utah An easy way to clean vacuum lines and hoses Send us your great idea and we’ll send you $50! E-mail us at vm@advanstar.com, send a fax to (913) 492-4157, or write to Idea Exchange Editor, 8033 Flint, Lenexa, KS 66214. To prevent clogs and debris from blocking the hoses and lines of our central vacuuming system, I take 5 lb of uncooked rice to the various vacuum ports and let the rice get sucked through the hoses. As the rice travels through the lines to the canister, it cleans out debris, residue, and blockages. I’ve repeated this process every six months for the past three years, and there has not been a blockage in our vacuuming system or a loss of suction in that time. Ashley McNamee, administrative assistant Sarasota, Fla. 712 November 2007 VETERINARY MEDICINE ©iStockphoto.com/Victor Maffe, Norman Chan

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Veterinary Medicine - November 2007

Veterinary Medicine - November 2007 Contents Leading Off The Veterinary Medicine Interview: Dr. Lila Miller Clinical Exposures Idea Exchange A Challenging Case: Uveitis and Secondary Glaucoma in a Cat Is it Immune-Mediated Neutropenia? Pimobendan Treatment in Dogs with Congestive Heart Failure CE Form Product Preview Advertiser Index Marketplace/Classifieds Mind Over Miller Special Supplement by Lilly: Flea Bite Facts Q&A

Veterinary Medicine - November 2007

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