Common Equipment In Vet Med

What is a stethoscope used for in veterinary medicine?

• Tool for listening to internal body sounds

• Heart: detect murmurs (valve issues) & arrhythmia (abnormal rhythms; common in dogs, rare in cats)

• Lungs: assess breathing and air movement

• Gut: check digestive sounds

• Can also listen near the nose for airflow

How is a rectal thermometer used in veterinary medicine?

• Common and accurate method

• Always use protective covers

• Often preferred by DVMs

How is an aural (ear) thermometer used in veterinary medicine?

• Measures temperature in the ear canal

• Add +1°F to reading in animals (controversial)

• Less accurate than rectal

• Always use protective covers

What is a ophthlamoscope and how is it used in veterinary medicine?

• Corded or handheld tool

• Used to examine the inside of the eye

• Helps detect ulcers, damage, and other eye issues

What should a veterinary assistant check when preparing an ophthalmoscope?

• Ensure it is in good working order

• Make sure it is charged or has working batteries

What is an otoscope and how is it used in veterinary medicine?

• Corded or handheld tool

• Used to examine the inside of the ear

How does otoscope size vary with the patient?

• The bigger the animal, the bigger the plastic tip used

What’s the difference between an ophthalmoscope and an otoscope?

• Ophthalmoscope: used to examine the eye (ulcers, damage, etc.)

• Otoscope: used to examine the ear (inner ear health, infections, etc.)

• Both can be corded or handheld tools

What is a laryngoscope used for in veterinary medicine?

• Used for intubation

• Used to examine the oral cavity

What should a veterinary assistant check on a laryngoscope before use?

• Ensure the small light bulb is working

What are the two main types of laryngoscope blades?

• Macintosh blade: curved, round like an apple; used for brachycephalic breeds (Bulldogs, Frenchies, dogs with short faces)

• Miller blade: straight; used for regular dogs

Why might you choose a Macintosh blade over a Miller blade? [Laryngoscope blades]

• Better for dogs with short, smushed faces that often have breathing difficulties

What is the purpose of a steam autoclave in veterinary medicine?

• Sterilizes equipment and tools (kills all microorganisms)

• Not the same as disinfecting

What type of equipment can be sterilized in a steam autoclave?

• Only metal equipment and tools

What is the purpose of an ultrasonic machine in veterinary medicine?

• Increases the disinfection of items

• Often called “The Jiggler”

What types of items can be cleaned in an ultrasonic machine?

• Plastic ✅

• Metal ✅

• Other materials that cannot be exposed to high heat

How does the ultrasonic machine work?

• Shakes at a high frequency, creating bubbles from a cleaning chemical

• Bubbles help remove bacteria and debris

What is the primary job of thumb forceps in veterinary medicine?

To grasp items, both during surgery and outside of surgery

What is the main purpose of bandage scissors in veterinary medicine?

• To cut bandages safely and efficiently

What are the characteristics of Knowles bandage scissors?

• Good size blades for getting under bandages

• Very sharp (can even cut animals if not careful)

• Sharpness helps cut bandages more easily

What are the characteristics of Lister bandage scissors?

• Not as sharp

• Safer for both the animal and the user

What are hemostats commonly used for in veterinary medicine?

• Stop the flow of blood from a vessel during surgery

• Pluck ear hair

• Clamp and grasp items using the locking jaws

What are the two common types of hemostats?

• Kelly

• Crile

How can hemostats be shaped?

• Straight

• Curved

Lead Gown

Lead Gloves / Mittens

Thyroid Shield

Lead Goggles

Dosimetry Badge (Ring)

• Measures how much radiation you are exposed to

Radiology Calipers

Used to measure the thickness of the body part being measured

Sandbag

V Trough (The Couch)

Radiology Markers

• Shows up on radiograph

• Demonstrates left and right

Dental X-Ray Unit

Lavender Top Tube = LTT

• Contains EDTA (anticoagulant)

• Keeps blood whole and homogeneous

• CBC, BG, HCT, Blood Sears, HW, 4DX, Triple Snap, Procyte, & more

Serum Seperator = Tiger Top

• Chem 10

• Chem 17

• Biochemical analysis of blood

  • aka chemistry

• Catalyst Dx

Red Top Tube

• No additive

• Commonly used for testing phenobarbital levels

• NO gel separator

• Do not tip post centrifuge

White Top Tube = WTT

• Contains nothing

• Is considered sterile if unopened

• Used for sterile urine samples

• Also, once no longer sterile = great small containers

  • Ex = extracted teeth for owners

Heparin Spinner

• (IDEXX Lithium Heparin Whole Blood Separator)

• Specific to the Catalyst Dx Analyzers

Green Top Lithium Heparin Tubes

• Heparin is an anticoagulant, preventing clotting

• Will generate plasma after being spun in a centrifuge

• No gel at the bottom

• Darker green

Green Top Sodium Heparin Tubes

• Heparin is an anticoagulant, preventing clotting

• Will also generate plasma after being spun in a centrifuge

• Has gel on bottom

• Lighter green

Fecal Container

‘Non Sterile’ Urine Container

• Sterile if sealed and unopened, BUT you must open the container to put the urine in. Therefore, the sterility must be broken to use

Formalin Jar

• Used to send biopsy (bx) samples to the lab for testing

• Preserves the specimen for the most accurate results 

• Is a Carcinogen (causes cancer)

• DO NOT let formalin touch your bare skin

• Wear gloves!!!

Refractometer

• USG = Urine Specific Gravity

• TS = Total Solids aka SP = Specific Protein

• Compared against distilled water with a SG of 1,000

Centrifuge & Stat Spin

• Spins sample at a high rate of speed, separating into different densities

• Heavier content will sink, while lighter content rises to top

Microscope

• Objective strength x Ocular strength = the magnification of image

• Ocular lenses always 10x magnification

• Common objective lenses are 4x, 10x, 40x (high dry), and 100x (oil immersion)

• Ex. 10x x 4x = 40x total magnification