Publikationsdatenbank

Nasogastric intubation as a health and safety risk in equine practice:
a questionnaire (2019)

Art

Vortrag

Autoren

Drozdzewska, Karolina (WE 17)

Potocnik, Eva

Schwarz, Bianca

Kongress

16th World Equine Veterinary Association Congress

Verona, 03. – 05.10.2019

Quelle

Journal of equine veterinary science

Bandzählung: 88

Seiten: Article 102951

ISSN: 0737-0806

Sprache

Englisch

Verweise

URL (Volltext): https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0737080620300423

DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.102951

Kontakt

Pferdeklinik

Oertzenweg 19 b
14163 Berlin
+49 30 838 62299 / 62300
pferdeklinik@vetmed.fu-berlin.de

Abstract / Zusammenfassung

Placing a nasogastric tube can be a life-saving act for a horse but is considered an occupational hazard for veterinarians. An online questionnaire was performed to assess and specify potential risks. 123 equine veterinarians completed the survey and the majority admitted using the mouth to handle the end of the nasogastric tube (sucking or blowing air) and having accidentally swallowed or aspirated stomach content or medications. This can potentially lead to aspiration pneumonia or pneumonitis. Mineral oil seems to be especially dangerous as aspiration may be asymptomatic at the beginning and lipoid pneumonitis may develop. Furthermore, 60% of responders would also handle the tube with their mouth if the horse was presented with fever and diarrhoea or reflux formation, which might be affected by Salmonella sp. or Clostridium difficile producing toxins. The fact that nasogastric tubes are rarely being disinfected increases the risk of infection. 50% of veterinarians would use their mouth to suck or blow air into the tube during nasogastric intubation, even if the patient was presented with suspected poisoning. Rodenticide zinc phosphide is particularly dangerous as its breakdown product is a highly toxic gas. Inhalation leads to serious symptoms in humans, including pulmonary oedema and neurological signs. Alternatives to mouth-use (lavage, big syringe or suction pump) when passing a tube should be considered, especially if a patient is presented with duodenitis – proximal jejunitis, diarrhoea or suspected poisoning. Awareness needs to be raised among veterinarians that nasogastric intubation is an extremely hazardous occupational practice.