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Veterinary sciences2023; 10(3); 222; doi: 10.3390/vetsci10030222

Breath Alcohol Test Results in Equine Veterinarians after Performing an Abdominal Ultrasound with Ethanol.

Abstract: Transcutaneous abdominal ultrasonography using alcohol saturation is used in the diagnostic workup of a variety of conditions in horses. The duration of the examination and the amount of alcohol used in each case may vary depending on several factors. The aim of this study is to describe the breath alcohol test results obtained by veterinarians performing abdominal ultrasound on horses. Six volunteers were enrolled, after written consent, and a Standardbred mare was used for the whole study protocol. Each operator performed a total of 6 ultrasounds by pouring the ethanol solution from a jar or by spray application, for a duration of 10, 30, and 60 min. An infrared breath alcohol analyzer was used immediately after completing the ultrasonography and at 5-min intervals until a negative result was obtained. Positive results were obtained for 0-60 min after the procedure. A statistically significant difference was found between the groups that used more than 1000 mL, 300-1000 mL, and less than 300 mL of ethanol. No significant differences were observed between the type of ethanol administration and the time of exposure. Based on this study, equine vets who perform ultrasound on horses can test positive at the breath alcohol test for up to 60 min following ethanol exposure.
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Publication Date: 2023-03-14 PubMed ID: 36977261PubMed Central: PMC10053296DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10030222Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research study examined the breath alcohol test results in equine veterinarians after performing abdominal ultrasounds using ethanol on horses. It demonstrated that vets may test positive for alcohol up to an hour after exposure to ethanol especially when over 1000 mL is used, regardless of how it is administered or the duration of the exposure.

Study Design and Process

  • The study involved six volunteer veterinarians who consented in writing to participate. These volunteers performed a total of six ultrasounds on a Standardbred mare using an ethanol solution.
  • The application method of ethanol varied among two options – either by pouring the solution from a jar or by spraying it. The duration of each ultrasound procedure also differed, taking either 10, 30, or 60 minutes.
  • An infrared breath alcohol analyzer was used to test the breath alcohol level of the veterinarians immediately after their ultrasound procedure. The tests were repeated in 5-minute intervals until a negative result was achieved.

Findings and Interpretation

  • The results indicated that the alcohol breath test showed positive results for timeframes ranging from zero to 60 minutes after completing the ultrasound procedure.
  • Statistical analysis of the data showed a significant difference in the chances of alcohol detection in breath tests among groups that used more than 1000 mL, between 300 and 1000 mL, and less than 300 mL of ethanol. This suggests that the volume of ethanol used during the procedure correlates with the level of alcohol detected in the breath test.
  • The study found no significant differences with regards to the type of ethanol administration (jar or spray) and the length of exposure in relation to the breath test results.

Conclusions

  • The study concluded that equine veterinarians who conduct ultrasounds on horses could test positive in alcohol breath tests due to ethanol exposure. This is particularly prevalent when a large amount of ethanol (over 1000 mL) is used, even if the duration of exposure or the method of administration changes.
  • The findings of this research could be relevant for occupational health and safety policies and procedures, especially within veterinary workplaces, to address potential false-positive breath alcohol test results among their workforce.

Cite This Article

APA
Vitale V, Nocera I, van Galen G, Sgorbini M, Conte G, Aliboni B, Verwilghen D. (2023). Breath Alcohol Test Results in Equine Veterinarians after Performing an Abdominal Ultrasound with Ethanol. Vet Sci, 10(3), 222. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10030222

Publication

Veterinary sciences
ISSN: 2306-7381
NlmUniqueID: 101680127
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 3
PII: 222

Researcher Affiliations

Vitale, Valentina
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2570, Australia.
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, San Piero a Grado, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad CEU-Cardenal Herrera, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, 46115 Valencia, Spain.
Nocera, Irene
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, San Piero a Grado, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
van Galen, Gaby
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2570, Australia.
Sgorbini, Micaela
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, San Piero a Grado, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
Conte, Giuseppe
  • Department of Agricultural, Food, and Agro-Environmental Sciences, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
Aliboni, Bendetta
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, San Piero a Grado, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
Verwilghen, Denis
  • Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2570, Australia.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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