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- Author or Editor: Jacob Wolf x
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To examine weight estimations by veterinarians, veterinary nurses, and veterinary students to determine the accuracy of weight estimation in a veterinary emergency department. Secondary objectives included an initial evaluation of how body condition score (BCS), hair coat length, and hospital position of the estimator impacted accuracy of weight estimation.
ANIMALS
101 dogs and 28 cats that presented to the emergency department from October 17, 2017, to September 3, 2019.
PROCEDURES
A written form was prospectively distributed to veterinarians, veterinary nurses, and veterinary students asking them to estimate a patient weight. Additional information about the patient, including estimated hair length and BCS, was recorded.
RESULTS
As dogs’ weights increased, all estimators underestimated the patients’ weight. As BCS increased, dogs’ weights were underestimated by veterinary students. Longer hair coat statistically significantly impacted accurate weight estimation in dogs. In cats, as BCS increased, veterinarians and veterinary nurses overestimated patient weight. Only 32% (32/101) and 20% (6/28) of weight estimations in dogs and cats, respectively, were within 10% of the patient’s actual weight.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Veterinarians, veterinary nurses, and veterinary students may not be reliable estimators of patient weight in the emergency department, especially with overweight animals. Prompt measurement of weight, if possible, is important for appropriate patient care.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Complications of feeding tube placement are uncommon, but life-threatening pneumothorax has been reported in human and veterinary patients during feeding tube placement. This article describes the development of pneumothorax and the outcome associated with misplacement of nasogastric (NG) tubes in the tracheobronchial tree in 13 dogs.
ANIMALS
13 dogs being treated for various medical conditions that had NG tubes placed in 4 hospitals.
PROCEDURES
A review was carried out of the medical records of 13 dogs that developed pneumothorax after misplacement of NG tubes between 2017 and 2022.
RESULTS
14 dogs out of 4,777 (0.3%) developed pneumothorax as an adverse effect of NG tube misplacement in the tracheobronchial tree. One dog was excluded due to incomplete medical records. The feeding tube size ranged from 5F to 10F, and the most common tubes utilized were polyurethane tubes with flushing stylets. Nine out of 13 dogs developed evidence of respiratory compromise after the NG tube was placed. Eleven dogs required thoracocentesis, and 5 dogs had thoracostomy tubes placed. Five dogs suffered cardiopulmonary arrest after developing pneumothorax, with 3 of 5 undergoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Two out of 3 dogs that underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation were discharged from the hospital. Five of 13 dogs were successfully discharged from the hospital, while 5 dogs died or were euthanized because of the pneumothorax.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Pneumothorax is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of NG tube placement in dogs and may lead to death if not immediately addressed. Practitioners should be aware of this complication and be ready to perform thoracocentesis quickly if appropriate.
