Facility readiness
The operating room should be set up all the necessary equipment to perform emergency surgery at a moments notice. Having an
instrument pack, gowns, drapes, headlight, electrosurgery unit, and suture laid out in ready is highly recommended. Simple
things such as a baby monitor, duct tape, cardboard back boards made from cardboard boxes, flashlight, bubble wrap, newspaper
and towels for splints and bandages are also recommended.
Crash cart
A mechanics cart (3 or 4 drawers) can be used as a crash cart. All four wheels should be made into swivel wheels to allow
greater mobility. Go to a fabrics store and buy 1 ½ inch thick foam rubber sheets and line the two top drawers with it after
you cut holes as needed to hold the emergency equipment items needed. The cart should be used for emergencies only and be
restocked after every use. MODULES OR DRAWERS within cart or at least drawers designated Airway, /Breathing. Drugs, Other:
Airway / breathing drawer or module
This top drawer or module should contain CLEAR plastic endotracheal tubes that have low pressure - high volume cuffs. Pick
one of every 2nd or 3rd size of the following :2.0, 2.5 (uncuffed) 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0. 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 8.5, 9.0, 9.5. 10.0. 10.5,
11.0, 11.5 and 12.0 are the sizes that can be represented. Those made of silicone will require a stylet. Those made of PVC
do not generally require the use of a stylet (wire or plastic). Both are "kind" to tracheal mucosa compared to the red rubber
varieties. If a drawer is used there is enough room to have each ET tube attached to a syringe loaded with enough air to inflate
the cuff moderately. Each of the ET tube and cuff inflation syringe should be nestled in a cut out area in a sheet of foam
rubber that should line the drawer. Each ET tube should be fixed with a section of intravenous administration tubing or umbilical
tape. The polyvinylchloride tubing of the iv administration set variety when pulled tight around the ET tube, binds well and
does not slip as gauze does. Attachment using a Larks Head knot is preferred in that it is very secure and can be adjusted
easily, The PVC plastic tubing can be tied behind the head in a bow and can be untied very quickly. Bring the PVC tubing just
behind the canine teeth and then below the patient's chin and cross the tubing under the chin and then bring behind the head
4.Tie the tubing firmly behind the patient's head in a bow. The airway drawer or module should contain a Laryngoscope handle
and set of blades. A good inexpensive source is a set that has clear blades and lights the entire blade. They are disposable
in EMS catalogs.
Other equipment needed in airway / breathing drawer or module should include:
1. Forrester sponge forceps, curved - to remove foreign bodies & grasp injured tongue/lung
2. Valsellum or towel clam to grasp slippery balls
3. Hemostatic forceps, curved -to remove foreign bodies. Etc. from small patients
4. Mayo scissors, curved. - to gain access to the trachea or chest
5. Strabismus scissors, curved - to gain access to the trachea in very small patients
6. Scalpel blades (10, 15, 11) for airway access and other accesses
7. Cole tubes 1, 2,and 2.5 mm – for very small airways and especially helpful for newborn puppies and kittens and rabbits
8. 14 g Nasal catheter with red rubber feeding tube with side port for attachment to 02
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