What size autoclave does a veterinary clinic need?

A solo-practitioner small-animal clinic typically needs a table-top autoclave with an 18–23 L chamber. Mixed practices handling soft-tissue and orthopedic surgery benefit from a 50–75 L vertical or B-class unit. High-throughput hospitals processing full surgical packs and drapes should consider a 100–250 L horizontal pulse-vacuum autoclave. HQS Medical offers models across all these ranges.

What is the difference between a Class B and Class N autoclave?

Class B autoclaves use a pre-vacuum cycle to evacuate air from porous loads and hollow instruments, ensuring steam penetrates every surface — required for wrapped instrument packs and lumened items. Class N (gravity displacement) autoclaves are suitable only for unwrapped, solid instruments. Class S falls in between. Veterinary clinics that sterilize wrapped packs or flexible endoscopes should choose Class B.

Can a veterinary autoclave sterilize flexible endoscopes?

No. Standard steam autoclaves operate at 121–134 °C, which damages flexible fiber-optic and video endoscopes. Endoscope reprocessing requires low-temperature sterilization — either ethylene oxide (EO) gas or H₂O₂ plasma. HQS Medical supplies both options in addition to standard steam autoclaves.

How long does a standard autoclave cycle take?

A 134 °C flash (gravity) cycle for unwrapped instruments takes about 3–5 minutes of sterilization time plus loading, heating, and drying — typically 20–30 minutes total. A full Class B wrapped-load cycle with pre-vacuum and drying runs 45–60 minutes. Pulse-vacuum cycles for large loads in horizontal units can take 60–90 minutes.

How do I maintain a veterinary autoclave?

Key maintenance tasks include: (1) daily chamber wipe-down and door gasket inspection, (2) weekly water-reservoir flush and drain filter cleaning, (3) monthly chamber descaling with approved agent, and (4) annual service by a qualified technician covering pressure-relief valve testing and cycle validation. Using distilled or reverse-osmosis water significantly extends chamber and seal life.

What certifications should a veterinary autoclave carry?

ISO 13485, CE marking, and compliance with EN 13060 (table-top sterilizers) or EN 285 (large sterilizers) are key standards. HQS Medical's autoclaves meet ISO 13485 and carry CE certification, and our Class B units are validated to EN 13060 protocols.

Veterinary Autoclave & Sterilizer

Effective sterilization is the cornerstone of infection control in veterinary practice. HQS Medical supplies a full spectrum of autoclave and sterilizer solutions — from compact cassette-type units ideal for dental instrument packs to large horizontal pulse-vacuum autoclaves that handle surgical drapes and gowns in high-throughput hospitals. Our product line also includes ethylene oxide (EO) gas sterilizers for heat-sensitive devices, UV sterilizers for surface disinfection, and H₂O₂ low-temperature plasma systems for endoscopes. All units are manufactured under ISO 13485 and carry CE certification. With stainless-steel chambers, automatic pressure control, and built-in drying cycles, our sterilizers deliver reproducible results while minimizing cycle times and energy use.

31 products

Dry heat (Hot air) Type

Dry Heat Sterilizer (Hot Air Sterilizer)

Model: GRF series

Veterinary Autoclave & Sterilizer

Dry Heat Sterilizer (Hot Air Sterilizer)

Digital & Hand shaking Pressure Steam Sterilizer

Digital Vertical Pressure Steam Sterilizer

Vertical Pressure Steam Sterilizer

Ultraviolet Ray Sterilization Trolley

Table type steam sterilizer

Table type steam sterilizer

Table type steam sterilizer (Fully Automatic)

16L - N Table Type Steam Sterilizer

Table Type Pulse Vacuum Steam Sterilizer

Table Type Pulse Vacuum Steam Sterilizer

Table Type Pulse Vacuum Steam Sterilizer

Table Type Pulse Vacuum Steam Sterilizer

Table Type Pulse Vacuum Steam Sterilizer

Table Type Pulse Vacuum Steam Sterilizer

Table Type Pulse Vacuum Steam Sterilizer

Portable Pressure Steam Sterilizer

Portable Pressure Steam Sterilizer

Portable Pressure Steam Sterilizer

Portable Pressure Steam Sterilizer

Pulse Vacuum Horizontal Type Sterilizer

Horizontal Cylindrical Pressure Steam Sterilizer (Microcomputer Control)

H2O2 Low Temperature Plasma Sterilizer

Horizontal Cylindrical Pressure Steam Sterilizer

Horizontal Cylindrical Pressure Steam Sterilizer

Horizontal Cylindrical Pressure Steam Sterilizer

H2O2 Low Temperature Plasma Sterilizer

H2O2 Low Temperature Plasma Sterilizer

Ethylene Oxide Gas Sterilizer

Ethylene Oxide Gas Sterilizer

Digital Cassette Sterilizer

Frequently Asked Questions — Veterinary Autoclave & Sterilizer