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278 Tasks for the Veterinary Assistant

Post‐Surgical Phase on the canine teeth. Watch for a big swallow and then
gently pull the tube out. Don’t pull the tube out with an
When the last suture is in place the post‐surgical phase is inflated cuff as it can cause damage to the trachea! If a
started in the surgery room and finished in the recovery tube is left in place and the patient not watched the
room where the patient wakes up from anesthesia. chances of it chewing the tube apart is great which in
Veterinary assistants have a vital role in aiding the veteri- turn can cause the patient to suffocate.
narian and technician during this phase. The patient is The IV catheter is removed once the animal is sternal
disconnected from the gas anesthesia machine, but the or standing. A pressure bandage is put over the insertion
endotracheal tube is left in place. This is to make sure point for 2–5 minutes and then removed. Then an
the patient maintains an open airway until fully awake. hourly check on the patient throughout the morning is
Pulling a tube too early runs the risk of aspiration pneu- appropriate. Watch for any vomiting, inability to move or
monia if the patient should vomit during recovery and switch positions, and for evidence of pain. Watch for
inhale the vomitus. The monitoring equipment is usu- excessive vocalizing, paddling, or thrashing as this is an
ally removed, and the patient is transported to a recovery indication of a rough recovery. Alert the veterinarian or
kennel or run. Make sure to keep the patient’s body level technician if you see this behavior or if you see the
as it is transported. This helps to maintain good blood patient hunched, whimpering, shivering, or curled in a
pressure throughout the body. tight ball. All of these things can indicate the patient is in
The kennel and run should have a warming device pain. Follow the orders written for delivery of pain med-
(see Figure 10.2) and layers of warm blankets either ications and other treatments.
from a towel warmer (Figure 14.46) or from the dryer. Water is usually offered once the patient is standing.
Patients lose body heat under anesthesia and if very cold Remember too that IV fluids will filter to the bladder
do not recover from anesthesia quickly. Take the body and so a short walk outside to relieve themselves will be
temperature and if the temperature is below 97°F the appreciated. If the patient can’t walk by itself two people
warm towels are added to the heat blanket and need to may have to carry it outside if it is a bigger patient. If the
be changed out until the patient’s temperature is up to patient is not to be moved, make sure to provide a raised
100°F. This can take a long while so if possible get the mat in the kennel or make sure the bed in the run is
patient up and moving to help the blood circulate and uphill from the drain. Then point the appropriate body
warm them up. part so the urine can run downhill. If the patient is
Someone is required to be with the patient at all times staying overnight a quarter of the normal volume of food
until it swallows, at which point the endotracheal tube is offered. If accepted and no vomiting occurs after
can be removed. To remove the tube, deflate the cuff 10–15 minutes the remainder of the food can be offered.
and position the ties that secure the tube to the patient Make sure to record all medications and interactions
over the incisors. This keeps them from getting hung up with the patient in the patient’s record.

FIGURE 14.46 Towel warmer.