Connecting and Disconnecting Equipment for Large Animal Ventilation

In the field of veterinary medicine, the ability to switch from the small animal side quickly and efficiently to the large animal ventilation is critical. In this video series, Doug Mueller, a seasoned veterinarian, will guide you through the process of connecting and disconnecting the necessary equipment. In this video, we will focus on how to switch from the small animal side to the large animal side.

Step 1: Removing the Breathing Circuit from Small Animal Side. The first step is to remove the breathing circuit hoses and connections from the small animal side to get it out of the way.

Step 2: Moving the Connections. There are only two connections that need to be moved to switch from the small animal side to the large animal side. The orange connector on the left side of the PBA goes to the right side of the absorber, snapping into place with ease. The blue connector on the back of the machine next to the scavenger comes off and connects to the bottom box marked "exhalation."

Step 3: Filling the Large bellows at start up. Make sure the breathing circuit is connected to the patient or test breathing bag. Push the green flush button on the left side of the cart until it reaches the top as marked on the canister at position zero. Turn the flow control to 3 or 4. Next, check for leaks on the large animal side by opening the pop-off valve and allow the bellows to drop a couple liters and then close it back up. Make sure the bellows stays in place and isn't dropping, indicating a leak. If there is a leak, you can raise the flow control on the cart until the bellows stop falling to determine the size of the leak. Anything under 1 liter/minute is acceptable.

Step 4: Check for Low Air Pressure Before starting surgery, it is important to check your tanks for sufficient air supply. If the gas pressure begins to drop, the machine will warn you with a low gas pressure light and alarm. The light will continue to flash until the oxygen or air supply is restored.

Step 5: Standby Mode In the event of a power outage, the machine will sound an alarm and go into standby mode. You can still ventilate the animal by pressing the manual button, though it will take more attention to detail to ensure the animal is being ventilated properly. Once power is restored, the machine will continue to ventilate automatically.

In conclusion, switching from the small animal side to the large animal side is a quick and easy process. By following the steps outlined in this video, you can ensure that your equipment is properly connected and ready to be used for large animal ventilation. In the next video, we will delve into adjusting the controls for optimal results.