Try A Lesson (PgC/GPCert Vets)

Microchips, Implants, Catheters & Feeding Tubes

In this lesson we will be covering some of the more basic surgical interventions. We will start with microchip implantation, which is hardly a surgical procedure, but one which is commonly required, and we will also include other forms of surgical implants, including therapeutic and telemetry devices.

The next section of the lesson will focus on gaining vascular access through the placement of intravenous and intraosseous catheters – some of which require surgical cut-down techniques. The use of irrigation and suction cannulae will also be covered with air sac cannulae receiving more detail as it’s a critical skill in avian medicine and surgery. The final section focuses on the different feeding tubes and includes naso-oesophageal, gastrostomy, and my favourite, oesophagostomy tubes.

By the end of this lesson you should be able to:

• State the common sites for microchip placement in exotic taxa;
  
• Briefly describe three types of therapeutic or telemetry implants;
• List two practical intravenous catheterisation sites in birds, reptiles, and small mammals;
• List at least one practical intraosseous catheterisation site in birds, lizards, chelonians, and small mammals;
• Compare and contrast naso-oesophageal, oesophagostomy and gastrostomy feeding tubes;
• Briefly describe the placement of the following devices: a central venous catheter, intraosseous catheter, irrigation or suction cannula, air sac cannula and an oesophagostomy feeding tube.