Recumbent/Geriatric Care, Euthanasia

8 possible issues of Geriatric Patients

Impaired eyesight, hearing, digestion, and cardiopulmonary function, arthritis, poor coat, fragile skin, body aches/pain

Diet changes for geriatric patients should be ? to avoid gastric system upset

slow

Cages and exam tables should have extra ? for geriatric patients

padding

Diet changes should be done over ? days at minimum

7

Geriatric patients can be easily ? with fluids due to ?

overhydrated, poor kidney function

Drugs/Anesthesia can have ? effects on geriatric patients

prolonged

Meds should be carefully selected for geriatric patients to account for

organ function level

2 Main things ageing pets decline in

cognitive function, ability to handle stress

4 changes in cognitive function in ageing pets

memory, learning, perception, awareness of surroundings

3 changes in ageing pets’ ability to handle stress

abnormally destructive/violent, easily depressed/anorexic, have separation anxiety from owners if hospitalized

What is the main goal in caring for Recumbent/Critically ill/Terminal patients

alleviate any suffering

Recumbent patients should have help with switching positions to avoid what

bed sores

4 ways to provide extra care for Recumbent/Critically Ill/Terminal Patients

keep cage clean, use special treats, moisten MM, allow owner to provide some care during visit time

Patient that cannot get up and walk on their own anymore (any age)

Recumbent

Patient that needs something done immediately to help them

Critically Ill

Patient that will not recover, we cannot fix them

Terminal

5 routes for tube feeding

orogastric, nasogastric, pharyngastomy, jejunostomy, gastrostomy

Techs can do all routes of tube feeding except

gastrostomy

Tube feeding route - through the mouth

orogastric

Tube feeding route - through nose opening

Nasogastric

Tube feeding route - wall of pharynx into the esophagus

pharyngastomy

Tube feeding route - body wall into mid to distal duodenum or proximal jejunum

jejunostomy

Tube feeding route - body wall into the stomach

gastrostomy

Orogastric is fine for use in ?, and is for ? term use

neonates, short

Nasogastric is ? to insert and can be for ? term use

easy, long

Nasogastric route should not be used in patients with (3)

no gag reflex, cannot swallow, have nasal mass

Pharyngastomy can cause

vomiting and regurgitation

Gastrostomy requires what to insert

general surgery

What 7 pieces of equipment are used for tube feeding

stomach tube or foley catheter, scalpel, hemostat, surgical scrub, suture material, needle holder

When tube feeding you only want to fill the stomach ? full ? a day otherwise stomach will be too expanded and uncomfortable

half, twice

Tube feeding procedure - Mark tube from

tip of nose to the 13th rib

Tube feeding procedure - 2nd step is to apply

local anesthetic

Tube feeding procedure - 3rd step is to ? tube and insert

moisten

Tube feeding procedure - when placing a tube u should aspirate to check if you are in the lungs or esophagus. If you get air you are in the

lungs

Tube feeding procedure - when placing a tube u should aspirate to check if you are in the lungs or esophagus. If you get negative pressure (no air) you are in the

esophagus

Tube feeding procedure - 4th step is to stimulate

rectal opening

Tube feeding procedure - An animals stomach volume is ?, based on the ? of the patient

20ml/kg, MER

Anorexic Patients - volume of tube fed meal is gradually increased over ? days

3

Anorexic Patients - step1 - ? mls of water should be administered every ? hrs through the tube for ? hrs

5mls, 2hrs, 12hs

Anorexic Patients - step 2 - change to the selected diet then reduce to ? mls every ? hrs for ? hrs

10mls, 2hrs, 12hrs

Anorexic Patients - step 3 - gradually ? the volume of diet and ? the amount of water

increase, decrease

Anorexic Patients - If an animal vomits after a feeding, ? the next scheduled feeding and ? the amount

skip, lower

Anorexic Patients - Last step - gradually ? the enteric feeding over ? days and remove tube per DVM orders

reduce, 3-5

numbs stomach so the animal doesn’t feel the need to throw up

Serenia

Euthanasia - An injection providing an ? of a sedative like medication is given ? route

overdose, IV

Euthanasia - another route of euthanizing patient (other than IV)

gas in a sealed chamber

Euthanasia - ? is an acceptable method for large animals

captive bolt

Euthanasia - 3 ways the body reacts to euthanasia

hypoxia, depression of vital neurons for life functions, disruption of brain activity

Euthanasia - once the injection begins, the patient should pass within ?

seconds

Euthanasia - Often patients who have been suffering for a long time take ? for body systems to stop

longer

Euthanasia - Many animals do what long after the heart as stopped

take a large breath