A simple device for intubation of rats

Abstract

Endotracheal intubation of rats is often necessary for lengthy survival surgeries, but the animal's small size and the lack of suitable equipment may complicate the procedure. The authors describe the construction and use of a simple device for the easy intubation of rats, requiring no expensive, specialized equipment.

Development of a High-Performance Anesthesia Ventilator for Research in Small Animals

“…Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats (300-350 g) were anesthetized with ketamine (80 mg/kg) and xylazine (10 mg/kg) intraperitoneally (5) intubated with a custom made laryngoscope for small rodents (6) and, ventilated with our proposed device (FiO 2 0.9, respiration rate 80-85/min). The femoral artery was dissected free for blood collection and insertion of a fluid-filled catheter connected to a pressure transducer according to a previously described technique (7).…”

Dry Powder Inhalation Exposures of the Endotracheally Intubated Rat Lung, Ex Vivo and In Vivo: The Pulmonary Pharmacokinetics of Fluticasone Furoate

“…Endotracheal intubation was performed under a good visual control using a custom-made device as described elsewhere. [21][22][23] A PTFE catheter (outer diameter 2.08 mm, inner diameter 1.68 mm, length 60 mm) was used as an intubation catheter. A ball joint connector was clamped to the proximal end of the tracheal catheter and then connected to the exposure line at the three-way junction using bayonet clips (Fig.…”

Anesthesia, Analgesia, and Sedation of Small Mammals

“…Rabbits have large incisors, long narrow oral cavities, and thick tongues, making laryngeal visualization more difficult, and laryngospasm is easily induced. 87,117 In guinea pigs and chinchillas, orotracheal intubation is complicated by the fusion of the soft palate to the base of the tongue, creating the palatal ostium, which is highly vascular and easily traumatized ( Fig. Apply topical local anesthetic on the larynx 60 seconds before intubation to decrease laryngospasm.…”