Arvind Sharma

to determine if gastric distension is present.

to administer lubricant oils in cases of colic

due to simple intestinal impaction.

is helpful in identifying diseases affecting the

stomach or upper small intestine.

a gastric reflux in the form of gas and fluid

is obtained back from the stomach through

the Nasogastric tube and as a result the

relieving of excess gas and fluid from the

equine stomach is known as gastric

decompression.

greater the volume of gastric reflux, the

more proximal the lesion.

There is no correlation between the amount

of fluid obtained and the need for surgical or

medical management.

The pH of 6.0 or more is an indication of reverse

flow of intestinal secretions into the stomach

lumen.

Fluid containing feed material - gastric dilatation

or stasis as the cause of colic

Yellow green fluid - bile reflux originating distal

to the common bile – pancreatic duct.

Brown or reddish fluid - mucosal damage with

haemorrhage ( small intestinal strangulation or

haemorrhagic gastroenteritis)

Repeated reflux of fluid suggests small intestinal

strangulation or duodenojejunitis.

A large diameter tube (20mm OD, 12mm ID; or 16mm OD, 8mmID)

Tetanus toxoid prophylactic injection (5-10ml IM) or if possible an Anti- tetanus serum (1500-3000 IU IM).

tranquilization/sedation of the animal should be avoided because it causes the relaxation of the epiglottis and tracheal muscles and increases the chances of passage of the tube into the trachea. In such cases sometimes the sedatives depress the cough reflex also.

mild sedation with Xylazine (0.2-0.5mg IV) can be given in fractious patients.

Restrain in standing position in a crush or

even in the open using ear and lip twitch.

The head should never be extended

forwards but is allowed to remain in the

same position in which the animal carries it

while standing.

Lightly coat the tube end with lubricant or

oil. Stand lateral to the horse. Insert the

tube into the ventral medial aspect of

nostril.

Directing the tube ventromedially minimizes the

trauma to nasal turbinates and therefore

decreases the incidence of epistaxis.

If epistaxis occurs during intubation, wait for 5-

10 minutes and then proceed using the other

nostril.

minor complication and does not warrant

discontinuing the procedure.

Confirm that the tube has entered the esophagus

by palpation of the tube in the oesophagus.

Palpate the left side of the neck dorsal to the

jugular groove.

Rohtang Pass , Gateway to Lahaul Valley, Himachal Pradesh