Placing IV catheters in dehydrated cats

Re: Placing IV catheters in dehydrated cats

Clair Crowley — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 14:46:36 GMT

i have used this 'cut down' method several times. I tend to only use it on entire toms or dehydrated cats, i have generally found that cats tolerate it very well and react no differently to just introduving the iv catheter through the skin. As long as you know what you are doing i do not see a prblem with it.

Re: Placing IV catheters in dehydrated cats

Catherine Goulding — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 11:17:49 GMT

Performing a 'cut-down' can introduce infection into the area from the skin, even if it is cleaned before cutting. It should not be performed unneccessarily and should only be done when placing such a cannula would be extremely difficult due to thickend skin etc. I have only ever performed a 'cut down' on a dehydrated shar pei and I have seen vet slice through the cephalic vein as the cat moved at the last split second. To be honest it makes me shudder when I see it done unnecessarily, but you could argue that a dehydrated cat has thick skin so it would need tobe performed.

Re: Placing IV catheters in dehydrated cats

JaneRVN — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 11:05:18 GMT

Some people view a cut down as old fashioned. It harks back to the days when catheters were not able to be made so well and were blunted by going through the skin.

However I think of there is clinical justification it can be used. Can think of some particularly bad Shar pei skin!

In badly dehydrated patients I use dorsal pedal hind limb access. Easy, unused and easy to visualise.

Re: Placing IV catheters in dehydrated cats

Steph Worsley — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 18:30:25 GMT

I have seen cut downs used in a few practices, but I personally don't do it and have not had problems accessing veins without it. I think I would be nervous about the patient moving and it becoming more than a nick.

Like someone said though its all personal preference

Re: Placing IV catheters in dehydrated cats

Aimee Barber — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 13:54:14 GMT

i have also been taught both ways,and i use 'cut down' in dehydrated, difficult and thick skinned patients. I don;t use one set way, i look at the whole situation first.

Re: Placing IV catheters in dehydrated cats

KarenVN — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 12:06:41 GMT

I was taught to use the 'cut down' technique and nick the skin first when I was studying but it's something I've never felt necessary to do, maybe it depends on what IV catheters that you use? However if you prefer this method there's no reason why you can't do this! :) Except obviously in rare occasions, ie you wouldn't want to be using it in patients with haemostatic disease!

Re: Placing IV catheters in dehydrated cats

Laura Graham — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 11:46:51 GMT

Woo! In that case I shall continue with the technique - it works well for me! Do you think this technique should be taught more? :)

Re: Placing IV catheters in dehydrated cats

KarenVN — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 11:37:38 GMT

It's personal preference, either way is fine :)

Re: Placing IV catheters in dehydrated cats

Laura Graham — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 11:30:02 GMT

You've made me feel a bit better now! I just wanted to make sure that this technique is ok to do! Thank you!!

Re: Placing IV catheters in dehydrated cats

melanie percival — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 11:20:34 GMT

In the practice where I used to work the nurses and vets used this technique in dogs and cats routinely. Mainly as we found the catheter went in better and didn't kink. This is how I was taught to place catheteres.

However, where I work now the vets and nurses just put the catheter straight in unless the vein is very small or the animal is dehydrated.

Re: Placing IV catheters in dehydrated cats

Laura Graham — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 09:56:35 GMT

Hmm... Fair enough! Would you give it a try or stick with your current method?

I have never had a problem with this method... It's just that when the RVN questioned me, it made me think! Like I said, I have seen many vets use this technique. After talking with my nurse friends, they all thought I was crazy for going near a cat with a blade, and that they could see my reasoning behind the technique, but they would never do it.

Perhaps it's just a trick of the trade!

Re: Placing IV catheters in dehydrated cats

Mark Walsh — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 09:35:38 GMT

Hi I came across this technique on a cadaver at a cpd day at the rvc, is does work really well but I have never tried it myself on a living animal. I don't think there is anyone where I work who does it but if you know what you are doing go for it as it can be really difficult to hit a vein on a very dehydrated cat.