Podcast: Emesis Induction with Dr. Kuo & Dr. Gerken
Kendon Kuo, DVM, MS, DACVECC, Auburn University
Katherine Gerken, DVM, MS, DACVECC, Auburn University
In this episode, host Alyssa Watson, DVM, chats with Kendon Kuo, DVM, MS, DACVECC, and Katherine Gerken, DVM, MS, DACVECC, about their recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Emesis Induction.” Dr. Kuo and Dr. Gerken work through the entire process, starting with indications for—and against—inducing emesis, the timing of induction, patient risk factors, and which emetics to use. They also answer some of the most common emesis questions about batteries, hydrogen peroxide, and of course, cats.
Key Takeaways
Hydrocarbons, such as gasoline, pose an increased risk for aspiration if emesis is induced.
Battery ingestion carries a large risk. It is important to get radiographs to confirm if a battery was ingested, see where it is, and if it is still intact. Different types of batteries pose different types of risks, and emesis is rarely the best path.
Ask yourself, “what damage could you cause bringing the item up?”
There are disease predispositions/past histories that should be cause for pause when determining if emesis is right for that patient.
The ideal time for inducing emesis is less than 2 hours following ingestion. However, some toxicants can slow down gastric emptying, giving you a longer timeframe for emesis. Chocolate has a timeframe of up to 8 hours.
Hydrogen peroxide may be an “easy” at-home remedy but presents many risks, and if given, clinic staff should walk the client through the process over the phone. The concentration shouldn’t be more than 3%. Never use hydrogen peroxide in cats!
About Our Guests
Kendon Kuo, DVM, MS, DACVECC, is an associate clinical professor in emergency and critical care at Auburn University, where he also completed a 1-year small animal rotating internship and a residency in emergency and critical care. He earned his DVM from University of California, Davis. Dr. Kuo has lectured nationally and internationally, and his special interests include coagulation, point-of-care ultrasonography, and trauma.
Katherine Gerken, DVM, MS, DACVECC, is an assistant clinical professor in small animal emergency and critical care at Auburn University, where she also earned her DVM. She completed a small animal rotating internship at Mississippi State University and a small animal emergency and critical care residency at The Ohio State University. Her interests include fluid therapy, trauma, environmental emergencies, and communications.
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Podcast@briefmedia.com
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Twitter: @cliniciansbrief
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The Team:
Alyssa Watson, DVM - Host
Alexis Ussery - Producer & Digital Content Coordinator
Randall Stupka - Podcast Production & Sound Editing