Welcome to our Video Tech Tip area. Here you can review current and previous clips provided by veterinary technicians.

 

 
  Technician
Blood Pressure Cuffs
 

Using a simple small file folder organizer to separate cuffs by size and keep Doppler blood pressure equipment neat and easily accessible.
Size:  27,316 kb

(10 ratings)
 
Chest Tube Aspiration
 
 
This 30-second video clip illustrates a technician aspirating a chest tube during a procedure. The sterile distal end of the extension set has been placed in a recently emptied saline irrigation bottle. This minimizes the risk for spillage and contamination and efficiently measures the aspirated fluid without use of a graduated cylinder.
Size:  948 kb

(3 ratings)
 
Closed Urinary Collection System
 

Using an empty IV fluid bag for a closed urinary collection system allows for easy monitoring of the amount of urine the animal is producing as well as visualize the appearance of the urine. Important Note: Be sure to use IV fluid lines, which DO NOT have a backcheck valve, as this would prevent the urine from flowing properly into the bag.
Size:  39,715 kb

(3 ratings)
 
Dental Tips
 
 
At our animal hospital, there are many small tips that we use during dental cleanings to make the process easier and more client friendly. We use a rubber band on the pulse-ox probe to keep it in place (this is especially helpful when monitoring cats and small dogs), we take before & after pictures of all teeth using our digital camera (clients are especially appreciative to receive these because it shows how beneficial the cleaning is), we use a tuberculin syringe cut to fit the size of the mouth or a hair curler to keep the mouth opened (it works much better than the metal mouth gag and is less likely to damage the teeth), we use the fingertip of a rubber glove to protect our dental radiography probe and keep it dry, and for larger dogs we use a hair curler to keep the probe in place while stepping away to take a radiograph of the teeth.
Size:  51,584 kb

(4 ratings)
 
Disposable Mouth Gag
 

This is a quick and easy way to make a mouth gag for passing orogastric tubes. We take a 60cc syringe (used and cleaned) and cut it about 1.5" from the open end. We then flame the cut end to soften any edges. This way you have a quick, easy, disposable mouth gag and don't waste rolls of tape.
Size:  76,979 kb

(1 rating)
 
E-Collar Attachment Alternative
 
 
Our practice had been using 2-inch gauze to tie e-collars around patients' necks, but the gauze didn't last long. When a client had to have an e-collar stay on her dog for 2 weeks, she used a bandana as an alternative. Our new e-collar "tie" consists of strips of material we cut off the bandanas we currently use for boarding or bathed dogs. Using pinking shears will delay any fraying of the material and a variety of fabric patterns can be used.
Size:  32,174 kb

(4 ratings)
 
Keeping reptiles warm on the ride home
 

Size:  31,968 kb

(2 ratings)
 
Quick Set-up for ECG Monitoring
 
 
To quickly and efficiently hook up our surgical patients to ECG monitoring, we first clip the ECG leads to a towel that is placed on the surgical table. The clips are attached to the towel in the proper position. After the patient is sedated and moved onto the table, the clips can quickly be attached to the animal, thereby minimizing any delay in monitoring the patient. In addition, because the clips can be easily accessed, we do not have to struggle to slide them underneath the animal or have them draped over the animal's chest.
Size:  5,513 kb

(4 ratings)
 
Tag Removal or Placement
 

Use an ordinary office staple remover to pinch the tag in the junction of the ring, separate the pieces, and slide on the new tag. After the new tag is secure, remove the staple remover and the tag will be fed onto the ring with ease.
Size:  5,074 kb

(4 ratings)
 
Utility Cart
 
 
We use a garden utility cart in our ICU. It functions as storage for blankets and towels as well as a cage side table or gurney.
Size:  51,842 kb

(2 ratings)