Endotracheal tube obstruction with a blood clot following aspiration of rumen contents in a reindeer

Abstract

SummaryAn apparently otherwise healthy female reindeer was anaesthetised for open reduction and fixation of a hip luxation. The animal developed ruminal bloat which was treated with passage of an orogastric tube that was left indwelling during the procedure. A fluid inspiratory noise was audible two hours after decompression, and clear fluid was suctioned from the airway. It showed no other signs of regurgitation and aspiration of rumen contents intraoperatively, and did not develop obvious respiratory compromise while mechanically ventilated. In recovery, the deer became apnoeic and cyanotic and died suddenly within minutes of being positioned in the recovery box. Just before dying, it coughed a large blood clot out of the endotracheal tube (ETT) . Additional clots were found partially obstructing the ETT lumen once extubated postmortem. Evidence of aspiration was detected at postmortem examination, which also identified pulmonary haemorrhage.

Standing sedation management of a domesticated reindeer for third eyelid removal

“…One other case report details the use of the opioid butorphanol at a similar dose (0.04 mg/kg of 0.05 mg/kg) in a reindeer ( Lehnus, 2018 ). The combination of detomidine-butorphanol has been found as a safe reliable combination for standing sedation in a range of ungulate species ( Bouts et al , 2017 ).…”

“…Due to this increase in numbers, veterinarians must know about the husbandry and anesthesia of this species. There are very few case reports detailing the anesthetic management of domestic reindeer in the literature ( Lehnus, 2018 ). Primarily reports for this species are focused on the capture of non-domesticated wild or captive animals ( Ryeng et al , 2001a ; Evans et al , 2013 ).…”

Laser ablation and management of a retropharyngeal abscess caused byCorynebacterium pseudotuberculosisin a ram

“…While not commonly reported, these clots can lead to lethal consequences. A recent report described death in a reindeer due to complete endotracheal tube occlusion with a blood clot 41. Clients should be aware of this potential complication when considering long‐term management of small ruminants with airway obstructions.…”