The jugular vein in horses is a major blood vessel located on either side of the neck, responsible for transporting deoxygenated blood from the head back to the heart. It is commonly accessed for venipuncture due to its size and superficial location, making it a practical site for blood sampling and intravenous therapy. The anatomy and physiology of the jugular vein are significant in veterinary medicine, particularly in procedures involving blood collection, catheterization, and the administration of medications. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the anatomical features, clinical procedures, and potential complications associated with the jugular vein in equine practice.
Spurlock SL, Spurlock GH, Parker G, Ward MV.The use of soft catheter materials in large-bore veins has allowed safe long-term venous access in human patients. Similar principles were applied to groups of horses; the jugular vein was catheterized for 14 days (group 1) and for 30 days (group 2). Three catheter materials were compared, and the clinical and histologic findings indicated that the least reaction was associated with silastic, followed by polyurethane; polytetraflouroethylene caused marked reaction. Our results suggest that by using catheters made of materials (especially silastic) that are less stiff or rigid, the duration of ...
Rhodes AD, Wilkins PA, McCoy AM.To compare plasma l-lactate (LAC) values between samples collected from jugular and cephalic venipuncture in healthy horses and systemically ill horses. Methods: Prospective, experimental study. Methods: Large animal university teaching hospital. Methods: Thirty healthy adult university-owned horses and 43 client-owned horses presenting to the large animal hospital for elective surgical procedures or for emergent medical evaluation of systemic illness. Methods: Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein (JV) and cephalic vein (CV) and placed in EDTA blood tubes prior to any medical the...