The advisor roles of human anesthesiologist Dr. Stan Perkins and veterinary anesthesiologist Dr. Khursheed Mama have been indispensable in my appreciation, understanding and application of the principles of mechanical ventilation and respiratory physiology of our anesthetized megavertebrates. Rick Munns and Pablo Acosta of the Dick Munns Co. have been generous with their time and skills by certifying the performance of our ventilators for consistent oxygen flow characteristics, which provide the respiratory support of large zoo and wildlife species. Patent pending.

The original Megavertebrate Endotracheal Tubes were designed and field tested by Dr. Zuba with the assistance of zoo and wildlife veterinarian, Dr. Jim Oosterhuis, and human and veterinary dentist, Dr. David Fagan. The technical skills of Don Shawver of Adept Vet were essential in the development and manufacture of these first ever, high-quality endotracheal tubes for elephants.

EXCITING NEWS: We are now collaborating with MILA International to manufacture new and improved megavertebrate endotracheal tubes (ETT) specifically designed for the size range of elephants found in zoological institutions and in free-ranging locations. Three sizes are available: 35 mm x 160 cm, 45 mm x 180 cm and 52 mm x 180 cm. The 35 mm tube can also be used in our large male rhinoceros patients. The quality and characteristics of these tubes are exceptional. Production of these ETTs could not have been possible without the interest, insight and input of Dr. Mark Penning of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Jeff Vitullo of MILA International. Please see our Products page for more information and how to order these limited production ETTs.

Thank you for your interest in our megavertebrate ventilator and endotracheal tubes! Please visit our gallery pages to see these products in use and how they provide respiratory support of our megavertebrates during anesthesia.

Jeffery R. Zuba, DVM

Owner and founder of In Case of Anesthesia

In Case of Anesthesia manufactures specialty anesthetic devices for use in our large zoo and wildlife megavertebrates such as elephant, rhino, giraffe and hippo. Please see our selection of products below, which support the respiratory needs of these species during anesthesia.

The Megavertebrate Demand Ventilator is the result of years of research, design, development and field testing in the bush of Africa by zoo and wildlife veterinarian, Dr. Jeffery R. Zuba. The concept and creation of this ventilator could not have been possible without the interest, insight and input from veterinary anesthesiologist, Dr. David Brunson, and veterinary anesthesia equipment designer and manufacturer, Bob Pearson. We thank Marek Prochazka of Innotech Manufacturing for the precision design, fabrication and assembly of the components of the ventilator.