BAL tubes

Re: BAL tubes

Kate Richardson — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 15:58:50 GMT

I like the sterile giving set idea, will def try that one, but only in dogs I think, as agree, would be worried about reduction in airway. I usually use 5mls in a cat, 5-10 in a dog. Also I warm the saline slightly to body temp before introducing down the tube. Colder fluid tends to induce bronchial/tracheal spasm. I must admit I usually give a low anti-inflammatory dose of dexamethasone iv before the ET tube is removed, unless I have good reason not to. Touch wood haven't had any problems

Re: BAL tubes

Rob Davis — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 19:38:54 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"] On this subject I've managed rather ironically to induce a life threatening asthma attack in 2 of the last 3 cats I performed a BAL on![/quote]

This possibility has always worried me, though it has not happened to me so far. How much fluid do you tend to put in? The books always seem to suggest much larger volumes than I'm brave enough to instil.

Re: BAL tubes

Martin Atkinson — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 16:42:52 GMT

Sounds good, but I have previously just used a urinary catheter down the ET tube and would be concerned with lack of airway in an already possibly respiratorily compromised animal with so much paraphernalia clogging up the tube, especially in cats. On this subject I've managed rather ironically to induce a life threatening asthma attack in 2 of the last 3 cats I performed a BAL on!

Re: BAL tubes

Rob Davis — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 12:39:19 GMT

[quote user="Rob Davis"]

I've previously just used urinary catheters down the ETT, but I like the idea of using a sterile giving set to prevent contamination from URT - will definitely try that next time.

[/quote]

I forgot to mention that you need to cut the end of the catheter if it has side holes!

Re: BAL tubes

Andre Escudeiro-Vieites — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 23:39:21 GMT

Thanks both!

Good idea: the "drip tube" to avoid contamination. I had the pathologist "mentioning" in the past about upper airway contamination!

Re: BAL tubes

Rob Davis — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 17:39:56 GMT

I've previously just used urinary catheters down the ETT, but I like the idea of using a sterile giving set to prevent contamination from URT - will definitely try that next time.

Re: BAL tubes

Michael Woodhouse — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 20:05:40 GMT

A length of autoclaved giving set tubing, dollop of lubrel and a small dog cath down the centre. Giving set tubing long enough to pass through the ET tube and a little more. You need the lube or it sticks.