Assessment of subclinical venous catheter-related diseases in horses and associated risk factors.

The research investigates potential issues related to the use of intravenous catheters in horses. It was found that horses had a higher likelihood of developing complications, such as thrombus formation or venous wall thickening if they had a high rectal temperature at the time the catheter was inserted but could be mitigated to some extent through the administration of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Objective and Methodology

• The objective of the study was to identify potential subclinical issues related to the use of venous catheters in horses, and the correlated risk factors.
• A total of 102 horses were involved in the study, each of which required the use of an intravenous (IV) catheter to receive proper treatment.
• The catheterised jugular vein and the contralateral vein in each horse were meticulously examined through an ultrasound every 48 hours.

Findings and Definition of Subclinical Complications

• The particular undocumented complications the research looked for were characterized by either thrombus formation or the thickening of the venous wall.
• If the horse’s rectal temperature measured above 38.5 degrees Celsius at the time the catheter was introduced, this was identified as a significant risk factor. Such horses demonstrated a four-fold increase in the likelihood of encountering the subclinical complications mentioned earlier.

Administration of NSAID and its effects

• The study also explored the effects of administering NSAID, a type of pain killer and anti-inflammatory, while the catheter was in place.
• It was observed that the practice effectively reduced the risk of developing the aforementioned complications, suggesting that using an NSAID could be a valuable strategy in minimizing the risk associated with the use of catheters in horses.

Implications and Recommendations

• The research provides important insights into the potential risk factors and complications linked with the use of intravenous catheters in horses.
• It concludes with the recommendation to monitor horses’ temperatures during catheter insertion and to possibly use NSAID as a preventative measure against developing the subclinical complications observed in the study.