VET

Esophagostomy tubes (E-tubes) is recommended for any chelonian patient that requires repeated oral treatments, such as nutritional support or oral medicine. Esophagostomy tubes are very well tolerated and the patient can even eat normally with the tube in place. Potential complication in E-tube placement surgery include iatrogenic damage to structure in the neck, mostly vein and carotid artery. Finally if the tube is improperly secured, it is possible that tube could be pulled out.  Anesthetic risk should be considered. Select an anesthetic and analgesic plan that allows good restraint and prevents excessive movement. Manual restraint and local anesthesia is often sufficient to allow E-tube placement in very week patients that would be considered a high anesthetic risk. Some patients may require sedation or general anesthesia but should be carefully and appropriate protocols utilized on a case-by case basis.  Esophagostomy Tube Placement: Step-by-st...

Obesity is described as an accumulation of excess adipose tissue as a result of a sustained positive energy balance. The high prevalence of overweight and obese companion animals may skew the perception of what is considered ideal body composition. Body Condition Score (BCS) is used most commonly in companion animals to assess body composition. In obese animals, clinical examination may be hindered, the chest may be more difficult to auscultate and the abdomen more difficult to palpate. Veins and arteries may be more difficult to identify when large amounts of subcutaneous fat are present. Pulses may be more difficult to palpate. Subcutaneous fat may make venous and arterial access challenging and correctly securing appropriately sized cuffs for noninvasive blood pressure measurement can be difficult. Increased subcutaneous fat may obscure identification of landmarks for regional anesthesia. Increased subcutaneous fat may result in poor drug delivery after inte...