Top Vendors for Veterinary Equipment

If you've taken your pet to the vet lately, it seems as if there's almost as much specialized equipment used in veterinary offices as there is in doctors offices. From heart monitors to machines for sterilizing instruments, the typical veterinary office has a slew of sophisticated veterinary equipment. Knowing some of these veterinary equipment key terms can really help if you deal with pets, so learn these basics.

Electrocardiogram, ECG or EKG

The electrocardiogram, better known as an EKG or ECG, measures the electrical activity in a pet's heart to determine disease or track changes that may occur during surgery.
University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine points out, the placement of electrodes on animals is essentially the same as it is for humans.

Defibrillator

Defibrillators are used to reset the heart's normal rhythm when it starts beating abnormally. These are mostly used in emergency situations with external or even internal paddles. However, newer technology has allowed for tiny defibrillators to be implanted into animals' chests to help with chronic problems.
Washington State University implanted a defibrillator into a dog's heart to help control his tachycardia.

Scaler

A scaler is used to clean plaque from an animal's teeth. This device is similar to the one used by dentists to scrape along the enamel of human teeth before polishing.

Grooming tub

Most veterinary offices provide grooming services, so a grooming tub will come in handy. Grooming tubs are plastic or stainless steel tubs that have a ramp or stairs going up to them. Once the animal is in the tub, the ramp or stairs can be removed and the door can be shut, creating a tub surround. These take a lot of strain off of the groomer's back since they are raised.

Autoclave

Autoclaves are used to sterilize stainless steel veterinary supplies. Since it is inefficient to buy new tools, like scalpels, for each animal needing treatment, veterinarians use autoclaves to decontaminate the tools. The tools are packaged and the autoclave, which looks like a square safe, uses high pressure steam to kill bacteria.
Princeton University explains procedures for using autoclaves for those who are new to them.

Capnograph

Capnographs measure carbon dioxide and are used mostly during surgery. More specifically, these monitors give readings of end-tidal carbon dioxide, also known at EtCO2.
Sharn Veterinary gives a brief but thorough explanation on the indication of capnography in veterinary medicine.