A retrospective study of vein thrombosis in horses treated with intravenous fluids in a veterinary teaching hospital.

This research examined the medical records of 68 horses that were given intravenous fluids for 24 hours or more, to find out the risk of developing vein thrombosis and identify the factors contributing to the condition. The study found certain factors, including locally produced fluids, fever, and diarrhea, were associated with an increased risk of vein thrombosis, while general anesthesia or surgery reduced the risk. Despite several limitations, this retrospective study offers valuable insight into the relationship between these factors and vein thrombosis in horses.

Study Methodology and Objectives

• This retrospective study analyzed the medical records of 68 horses that had been treated with intravenous (IV) fluids for 24 hours or longer at a veterinary teaching hospital.
• The research sought to determine the risk and contributing factors of developing vein thrombosis (blood clots in veins) following IV fluid treatment in horses. Understanding such factors could help improve future therapeutic planning for horses requiring IV treatments.

Findings and Associations

• The study discovered that three factors were positively associated with the occurrence of vein thrombosis. These were the use of locally produced fluids, and the presence of fever and diarrhea in the horses.
• Interestingly, two factors – undergoing general anesthesia or having surgery – were found to be negatively associated with vein thrombosis, meaning horses with these factors were less likely to experience the condition.
• Additionally, the study found that the duration of treatment was a continuous variable that showed a positive association with vein thrombosis, i.e., with an increase in the treatment’s duration, the risk of thrombosis also increased.

Non-Associated Factors and Study Limitations

• The study revealed factors that were not linked with vein thrombosis. These included the breed, age, and sex of the horse, the type of catheter used, the outcome (whether the horse survived or died), and the presence of other health conditions such as laminitis and colic. Additionally, the introduction of other drugs through the catheter and the type of surgery performed showed no link with vein thrombosis.
• The study recognized several limitations. Only one type of catheter was used in the majority (57) of horses, limiting the ability to detect the effect of different catheter types. Also, other potentially influencing factors such as catheter site preparation, the person inserting the catheter, and the catheter maintenance techniques were not evaluated in this study.

Implications and Conclusions

• Despite the inherent limitations, the study provides important knowledge about the factors influencing the risk of vein thrombosis in horses receiving IV treatments. This information can be considered in therapeutic planning for such horses in clinical scenarios.