Important Information on Endotracheal Tubes

​Many practices re-use their tubes on multiple patients until the tubes eventually fail.

At SNVH, we never re-use our tubes.
​We open a new, sterile tube for your pet, every single time.
Picture
Our new, sterile tubes in their original packaging.
How safe is your pet's breathing tube?

To the left is an advertisement in a major veterinary magazine from a large veterinary supply company with an "idea" for storing and re-using tubes. SNVH firmly holds that this is an unacceptable standard of care. Spice racks are for spices, not to dry and re-use my dog's breathing tube.

Did you know? 
  • There is no standard of care for veterinary anesthesia like there is for human anesthesia.
  • Many vet practices re-use their disposable endotracheal tubes (the "breathing tube" that goes into your pet's windpipe) to reduce costs.
  • Not only are re-used tubes no longer sterile, reuse risks failure of the seal, which could allow fluid to enter your pet's lungs during the procedure.
  • The medical team at Stratham-Newfields Veterinary Hospital is committed to client education and patient safety. Your pet will always get a new, sterile endotracheal tube at SNVH.

READ ON to find out more about what else we do to reduce risk with our endotracheal tubes. 

42% risk your pet's death?

This is a shameful statistic. I'd hate to see the number that do use endotracheal tube lube but that do not use sterile lube. See the next panel for what can happen if your pet does not get proper intubation.

This is the 42%.

This is what happens without lubrication.  Imagine if that yellow dye were harmful bacteria or saliva getting into your pet's lungs. Despite the danger, 42% do not lubricate.

We care about the details.

This is from a veterinary journal* demonstrating how a breathing tube that is properly lubricated will prevent liquid from entering the lungs.
*Veterinary Practice News 2011
Additionally, we ONLY use use sterile, single-use lubrication packets.
New sterile tube.    New sterile lube.    Every patient, every time.