Medication Administration (Large Animals) Flashcards
(168 cards)
shorthand for “nothing by mouth”
NPO
shorthand for medication to be administered orally
per os (PO)
List 5 methods of oral medication administration in large animals
- Syringes
- Drenching
- Balling Guns
- Nasogastric Intubation
- Orogastric Intubation
Syringes can be used to deliver what 2 forms of medications?
- Pastes
- Tablets
PROCEDURE - Administering Medication via Syringe
- Restrain the head > using free arm > cradle head + reach around to put hand up over muzzle
- Insert syringe into mouth at lips commissure + near interdental space > between cheeks and teeth
- Advance syringe as far back into mouth as possible
- Admin meds slowly > to avoid aspiration or drooling before syringe can be withdrawn
- Lift head slightly + blow on nose > encourage animal to swallow
administering liquid medication or small volumes of fluid onto the tongue using a dose syringe
Drenching
Do NOT drench sheep or goats with more than ____ mL of liquid
30 mL
Do NOT drench with _______ because it can be fatal if inhaled
mineral oil
PROCEDURE - Drenching
- Restrain animal > hold nose slightly elevated + pulled toward handler
- Insert tip of dose syringe into interdental space
- Slowly dribble fluid onto the tongue
a device used to administer tablet medication deep into the back of livestock mouths to facilitate swallowing
Balling Gun (Pilling)
What could happen if you use a large balling gun on a small calf, goat or sheep?
Could split soft palate or cause phalanx rupture
Why should you inspect the balling gun before every use?
To ensure no sharp edges have formed
PROCEDURE - Using a Balling Gun on Large Livestock (Adult Cattle)
- Place patient in head gate > VT stand next to patient’s head + facing same direction
- Open animal’s mouth > using arm nearest to patient > reach over
◊ Grasp mouth at interdental space > press on hard palate
OR
◊ Place finger in 1 nostril + thumb in other nostril > pull nose dorsally - Insert balling gun into mouth > gently work back toward pharynx
- Once thumb rings of gun are at lip commissure > depress plunger
- Keep patient’s head down
- Cattle will lick nostrils once pill is swallowed
Drenching > using a dosing syringe to administer liquid medication
What could happen if the balling gun is NOT inserted far enough into the mouth of calves, sheep, or goats? What could happen if inserted TOO far?
If balling gun is not inserted far enough > medication may be chewed and spit out
If balling gun inserted too far > serious damage to pharynx and larynx
Give 4 indications for nasogastric intubation in large animals
- Large volumes of oral fluid substances must be given
- Relieve gastric distention
- Relieve feed impaction
- Oral fluid therapy or enteral feeding required for extended periods
Nasogastric intubation is commonly used for which species? Why?
Horses - larger nasal passages than other large animals
How do you estimate the length of an NGT? What else should you do for horses?
Measure from nostril entrance to rumen (last tib) + mark
Horses > also mark where the tube reaches the pharynx
Why is it helpful to also mark an NGT where it reaches the pharynx in horses?
When tube reaches pharynx > rotate tube > deflects it into esophagus (rather than into trachea)
Give 2 possible complications during NGT removal
- Nosebleed
- Aspiration of residual fluid or meds
elastic tape wrapped around the muzzle of a patient in order to keep NGT in place without sutures
Stay Tape
If NGT must remain in place for repeated administrations, how do you keep the NGT in place for:
1. Adult Equines
2. Neonatal Equines
Adults = Coil NGT > tape tube to halter > prevent entry of foreign material by using syringe case, tube cap, another adapter
Neonates = Place stay tape around muzzle > coil the tube off to side of the mouth > secure tube at base of nostril with 1” piece of butterflied tape > affix butterflied tape to stay tape
PROCEDURE - Nasogastric Intubation (Medication Administration)
- Estimate length of NGT from nostril entrance to rumen/stomach > mark tube
- VT stand next to patient’s head + facing same direction > reach over with arm nearest to patient > place finger in 1 nostril + thumb in other nostril > pull nose dorsally
- Pass NGT in ventral matter through nasal meatus + nasopharynx > resistance passing through esophagus > look at neck for movement + to visualize placement
- Continue until NGT in rumen or stomach > check premeasured mark > blow into tube + listen with stethoscope over rumen/stomach for bubbling > confirms proper placement
- Check patient for gastric reflux
◊ If normal amount of gastric fluid noted > use stomach pump/dose syringe/gravity flow > admin meds/fluids/etc.
◊ Neonates - use 60 mL syringe to aspirate - Once admin complete > remove pump from end of tube > hold tube above patient’s head > delivers remaining meds into stomach/rumen > pump small amount of water or air to deliver remaining fluid
- Cover end of tube with thumb + kink > pull out tube with gentle + long motions
- Monitor patient for colic symptoms, bloat, or respiratory problems
PROCEDURE - Nasogastric Intubation (Gastric Distention Relief/Gastric Lavage)
- Estimate length of NGT from nostril entrance to rumen/stomach > mark tube
- VT stand next to patient’s head + facing same direction > reach over with arm nearest to patient > place finger in 1 nostril + thumb in other nostril > pull nose dorsally
- Pass NGT in ventral matter through nasal meatus + nasopharynx > resistance passing through esophagus > look at neck for movement + to visualize placement
- Continue until NGT in rumen or stomach > check premeasured mark > blow into tube + listen with stethoscope over rumen/stomach for bubbling > confirms proper placement
- Pump a known amount of water into tube > causes a siphon > gastric fluid + contents collected back from tube into a bucket
◊ If a lot of gastric fluid retrieved > secure NGT in place - Once complete > cover end of tube with thumb + kink > pull out tube with gentle + long motions
- Monitor patient for colic symptoms, bloat, or respiratory problems