What to Do If a Pig or Dog Is Poisoned? Introduction to Nasal Feeding and Gastric Lavage Treatment Methods
In recent years, referring to gastric lavage for large livestock and nasal feeding in human medicine, the author used nasal feeding gastric lavage to treat 19 cases of poisoning in pigs and dogs, and achieved fairly good results. The report is as follows for reference.
1 Preparations
(1) Restraint: standing or right lateral recumbency; for small pigs and dogs, the two forelimbs can be lifted to perform the procedure while standing. (2) Selection of gastric tube: for large pigs, use a gastric tube or hard rubber tube 1.5-2 m long with a diameter of 4-6 mm; for small pigs and dogs, use a human urinary catheter. First measure the distance from the nasal opening to the xiphoid process, which is equivalent to the distance from the mouth to the body of the stomach, and mark it with adhesive tape.
2 Gastric lavage
2.1 Insertion of the gastric tube: coat the tube tip with lubricating oil and insert it slowly through the nostril (it may also be inserted through the oral cavity). When the gastric tube reaches the pharynx, gently stimulate it to induce swallowing. If there is no swallowing action due to pharyngeal paralysis, it may be inserted directly slightly upward and backward into the pharynx; if there is no resistance, continue inserting. At this point, connect the enema syringe to the opening of the gastric tube; press the bulb with the hand to send air into the gastric tube, then release the bulb immediately. If the bulb cannot inflate, it indicates that the tube has been inserted into the esophagus, and insertion may continue to the tape mark, which is equivalent to the position where the gastric tube enters the body of the stomach. Remove the enema syringe and replace it with a funnel.
2.2 Gastric lavage (1) The type and concentration of the gastric lavage fluid may be determined according to the toxic substance, and the temperature should preferably be lukewarm. High temperature easily causes dilation of the capillaries of the digestive tract and promotes absorption of the toxic substance; cold water is irritating to the stomach and is best not used. If it is temporarily impossible to determine what kind of bait caused the accidental ingestion, warm plain water may be used for gastric lavage. (2) After the gastric tube is inserted, first aspirate the stomach contents, then perform lavage. Each time, 1000-2000 ml of gastric lavage fluid may be instilled. During instillation, the flow of fluid must not be interrupted. When it is almost finished, the funnel must be lowered below the level of the stomach, using the "siphon" phenomenon to make the gastric lavage fluid flow back, and continuously massage the right costal region. If the backflow of gastric lavage fluid is not smooth, a 100 ml metal syringe may be used for continuous aspiration. When the amount aspirated is equivalent to the amount instilled, gastric lavage fluid may be instilled again and then aspirated again, repeated 2-3 times, so that the properties of the aspirated and instilled gastric lavage fluid become similar. (3) Because after toxic substances are absorbed they may be secreted again by the gastric mucosa, and residual toxic substances may also remain in the gastric rugae and in areas that are not easily cleaned, the gastric tube may be retained for repeated gastric lavage or for administering purgatives and antidotes. Method of retention: use a clamp to tightly clamp the opening of the gastric tube and fix it to the body of the pig or dog to prevent slipping out and to prevent air from entering the stomach through the gastric tube and causing discomfort and vomiting. The author once encountered a dog in which the gastric tube slipped out, causing backflow of gastric juice into the trachea, leading to respiratory asphyxiation and death before rescue could be carried out; during necropsy, gastric lavage fluid was found to have flowed into the trachea and bronchi.