Rat intubation. A method for safe and fast intubation of the rat trachea under direct vision.

A method has been developed for the safe and rapid intubation of the rat trachea under direct vision. Rats are first anaesthesized with an oxygen/nitrous oxide/halothane mixture. A modified eyelid retractor and a curved bulldog artery clamp are used to keep the animal's mouth open and the tongue to the side. A laryngoscope, fashioned from a weighing spatula and a glassfibre cable which is connected to a cold light source, is used to bring the trachea in view. The trachea is then easily intubated with a suitable intravenous canula.