2025-10-13 – Weekly Veterinarian News : Intubate or stabilize first?

Last week, our community delved into a rich tapestry of discussions, from procedural debates to career advice. The question of whether to intubate or stabilize first in dyspneic cats sparked a lively exchange of expert opinions. Members also explored the benefits of joining professional associations and shared amusing anecdotes capturing the quirks of veterinary life. The conversation around protective gear emphasized safety in practice, while career-oriented threads offered guidance for aspiring veterinarians and seasoned professionals alike.


This Week’s Hot Topics

Intubate or stabilize first on dyspneic cats
This thread is buzzing with insights on the best initial steps in handling dyspneic cats, an essential skill for any vet dealing with emergency cases.
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Professional Associations for Veterinarians
Find out which associations offer the most value and how they can enhance your professional journey in this engaging discussion.
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You Know You’re a Veterinarian When…
A lighthearted thread where colleagues share those unmistakable moments that define life in veterinary practice.
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Best Job Boards for Veterinary Positions
Explore recommendations for the top platforms to find your next veterinary position, whether you’re a newcomer or a veteran in the field.
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Thinking About Becoming a Veterinarian?
A must-read for those considering a career in veterinary medicine, featuring advice from experienced professionals.
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Protective Gear and Safety Tips
This thread offers crucial advice on the latest protective gear to ensure safety while handling various veterinary tasks.
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Online Courses for Continuing Education
Stay updated with the latest online learning opportunities to fulfill your continuing education requirements.
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Strange Requests from Pet Owners
An amusing look at some of the oddest requests veterinarians have received from pet owners.
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Conferences and Workshops Worth Attending
Discover upcoming events that provide networking and learning opportunities to enhance your veterinary expertise.
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Top Veterinary Specializations
Explore the diverse specializations within veterinary medicine that offer unique career paths.
Read more here


Looking forward to another week of valuable discussions. Stay engaged and keep sharing your experiences.

With dyspneic cats, I preoxygenate 2–3 minutes in-carrier, then intubate if tiring; flow-by + butorphanol otherwise. @Maya using alfaxalone instead?

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@Guide if they look β€˜wet,’ I do a 30-sec TFAST and tap first; pulling 100–[redacted] can pink them up and often makes the tube unnecessary… If it’s classic asthma, I keep hands off with oxygen + terbutaline and only plan to intubate if they’re failing. One caveat: a tiny ketamine–midaz dose works well if you must tube but want to preserve drive and BP.

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Given this week’s intubate-vs-stabilize theme: red-rubber nasal O2 + terbutaline IM; tube if ETCO2 climbs. @Maya thoughts?

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From last week’s β€œintubate or stabilize” debate, I’ve been buying 60–90 seconds with an AeroKat spacer + 2 puffs albuterol in-carrier, then deciding asthma-stabilize vs CHF-tap; , the O2 cage isn’t always free. If I catch a new gallop or crackles, I skip bronchodilators and do a quick right-sided tap before even considering a tube. Anyone using microdose dexmed (1–[redacted]/kg IM) to blunt panic without tanking respiration, @Maya?

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I’ll buy 2–3 minutes in an O2 cage while I set up POCUS; a quick LA:Ao with lung rockets steers me to furosemide vs terbutaline, and I reserve the tube for the truly crashing. @egray12 I sometimes add tiny-dose butorphanol IM to take the edge off β€” skip if hypotensive; anyone trying HFNC instead of cages yet, or is that still a unicorn?

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