Q. Which Global Veterinary Products are resterilisable?

A major part of the product range is manufactured entirely from silicone. This silicone is steam autoclavable and hence reusable. We recommend sterilising at 115°C (240°F) for 20 minutes. This temperature should not be exceeded when the product contains an inflation valve as excessive temperature can render the valve inoperable.

Q. Can Global Veterinary Products modify products?

We welcome enquiries to modify products to suit an individual’s requirements and can achieve this for nearly all requests we receive. Similarly, we have an experienced R & D department to assist in the development of new devices for various clinical procedures.

Q. Does Global Veterinary Products impose a minimum order quantity?

No, all Global Veterinary Products devices are available individually.

Q. How do I purchase Global Veterinary Products devices?

Global Veterinary Products devices products are available through a worldwide network of Global companies and distributors. Benson Medical Industries is the exclusive Canadian distributor.

Q. Why do you have so many types of thoracic drainage catheters?

The need to drain the thoracic cavity varies, as do the conditions that need to be resolved. The pneumothorax catheters are smaller, short term catheters that have been specifically designed for ease of introduction and draining pneumothoraxes. Some customers have confirmed that fluid can be drained with these catheters although we cannot generally indicate their use due to the possibility of obstructing the drainage holes with blood or viscose solutions. The silicone blunt ended tubes are designed for a semi-surgical blunt dissection insertion technique. Being silicone, and relatively large bore, these catheters can occasionally be cleaned and resterilised for reuse. This is the only thoracic drainage catheter that can be resterilised.

More recently, a larger version of our pneumothorax style catheter was developed that incorporated the ease of introduction features of a pneumothorax catheter, but had a larger bore (16 French) and large sideholes to enable drainage of most solutions.

Q. Which feline urinary drainage catheters do you recommend?

We provide two distinctly different types of urinary drainage catheter. The silicone Tomcat catheter requires a stylet to aid in introduction due to its soft catheter shaft. We find this catheter is well tolerated after placement and ideal for conditions such as atonic bladders where longer term drainage may be required. The softer catheter material is extremely well tolerated by the animal.

The Slippery Sam is a PTFE catheter more suitable for unblocking cats due to its slightly more rigid catheter shaft enabling it to be introduced without a stylet. This enables a syringe to be attached to the hub of the catheter for flushing during introduction. Despite the slightly more pushable nature of this catheter, the inert PTFE material does not elicit a mucosal reaction within the urethra and so is once again extremely well tolerated.

Q. Are Global Veterinary Products devices radiopaque?

All products apart from the flexible wound drain are radiopaque.

Q. Can you repair the balloon cuffs on Global Veterinary Products endotracheal tubes?

All of our tubes are manufactured from silicone and have a silicone balloon cuff. Through the use of a silicone adhesive these cuffs can be replaced by the veterinarian by purchasing replacement cuffs that are available in all sizes. The cuff adhesive requires an overnight drying period enabling the product’s use the following day.

Recently, repair inflation lines have been made available for situations where these are damaged during use or the inflation valve becomes defective. These also require the use of the silicone adhesive.

Q. How long can your central venous catheters remain in place?

Almost all Global Veterinary Products central venous catheters are manufactured from soft polyurethane material. This material has been shown to reduce the incidence of phlebitis and are non-thrombogenic. Variables in the patient condition, the insertion technique and the patient’s immunological condition can influence the indwelling time of central venous catheters, but customers have indicated to us periods of up to 7 days have been achieved. This must be considered as a guide only. Aseptic introduction techniques, heparin locking the catheter lumen and daily inspection of the insertion site are important aspects in maintaining catheter patency.