Assessment of subclinical venous catheter-related diseases in horses and associated risk factors
- T. E. Geraghty, BVMS, MVM, MRCVS1,
- S. Love, BVMS, PhD, MRCVS1,
- D. J. Taylor, BVMS, PhD, MRCVS2,
- J. Heller, BSc, BVSc, DipVetClinStud, MVetClinStud, MRCVS2,
- D. J. Mellor, BVMS, PhD, DipECVPH, MRCVS2 and
- K. J. Hughes, BVSc, FACVSc, DipECEIM, MRCVS1
- 1 Division of Companion Animal Science
- 2 Division of Animal Production and Public Health, Institute of Comparative Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH
- Correspondence to Mr Hughes, e-mail: k.hughes{at}vet.gla.ac.uk
Abstract
A total of 102 horses that had a catheter introduced intravenously to facilitate treatment had the catheterised jugular vein and contralateral vein examined by ultrasound every 48 hours. Subclinical complications were defined by thrombus formation or thickening of the venous wall, and the data were analysed to establish risk factors for the development of these complications. The horses with a rectal temperature above 38·5°C when the catheter was introduced were four times more likely to develop complications, than the horses with a lower temperature. The administration of a NSAID while the catheter was in place reduced the risk of complications developing.
- British Veterinary Association. All rights reserved.
