Comparison of hematologic and biochemical results on blood obtained by jugular venipuncture as compared with intravenous catheter in adult horses.
Abstract: During hospitalization, horses typically undergo frequent blood sampling for diagnostic testing and monitoring. The need for numerous samples in hospitalized horses makes acquisition from an intravenous catheter (IVC) both convenient and less stressful to the patient. Objective: We hypothesized that there would be no significant difference in the plasma chemistry and CBC variables from blood samples obtained from a jugular catheter as compared with direct jugular venipuncture. Methods: Fifty adult hospitalized horses; 25 receiving constant rate crystalloid therapy, and 25 receiving low volume IV medication. Methods: This study was conducted using a prospective, blinded, cross-over design. Samples were obtained sequentially by direct venipuncture of the jugular vein and aspiration from an IVC in the contralateral vein after an appropriate presample of blood was obtained and discarded. Samples were submitted for blinded analysis including CBC, plasma chemistry analysis, stall side plasma glucose concentration, PCV, and total protein concentration. Data obtained were analyzed using a Student's t-test with compensation for unequal variances between the 2 groups. Analyses were Bonferroni corrected for a 5% 2-tailed hypothesis test. Results: There were no statistically significant or clinically relevant differences associated with sampling method (venipuncture versus catheter) regardless of fluid administration status in any of the 24 analytes measured. Conclusions: Blood samples obtained by IVC have clinically equivalent values to those taken by direct venipuncture in commonly performed analyses. Additional investigation is warranted to establish if this technique is associated with increased complications such as phlebitis or bacteremia.
Copyright © 2010 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Publication Date: 2010-08-24 PubMed ID: 20738771DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2010.0582.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Adult Horses
- Biochemistry
- Blood Analysis
- Clinical Findings
- Clinical Pathology
- Clinical Study
- Comparative Study
- Diagnosis
- Diagnostic Technique
- Disease Diagnosis
- Equine Health
- Hematology
- Horses
- Hospitalization
- Intravenous Administration
- Laboratory Methods
- Plasma
- Veterinary Care
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Practice
- Veterinary Procedure
Summary
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The research sets out to compare the biochemical and hematologic results of blood taken directly from horse’s jugular vein (venipuncture) with the ones obtained via an intravenous catheter (IVC) in adult horses. The results indicated no significant difference between these two methods, regardless of the fluid administration procedure in place.
Objective and Hypothesis
The researchers sought to test whether the method of blood collection in hospitalized horses makes a difference in the results of plasma chemistry and complete blood count (CBC) tests. The hypothesis was that there will be no significant differences between the data obtained via direct jugular venipuncture versus via IVC.
Methodology
- The study was conducted in a prospective and blinded cross-over design, meaning the researchers didn’t know which samples were from which blood extraction method, therefore reducing potential bias.
- Fifty hospitalized adult horses participated in the research. Half of them were receiving constant rate crystalloid therapy and the other half were being given low volume intravenous medication.
- Blood samples were collected from each horse in two ways: directly from the jugular vein (venipuncture) and from an intravenous catheter in the other jugular vein.
- All samples were submitted for the same tests, including plasma chemistry analysis, CBC, plasma glucose concentration, packed cell volume (PCV), and total protein concentration.
- The data were analyzed using a Student’s t-test which compensated for unequal variances between the two groups, and further corrected using Bonferroni correction to account for multiple comparisons.
Results and Conclusion
- According to the statistical analysis, none of the 24 different analyses showed considerable distinction between the two methods of sampling—whether it was via venipuncture or IVC.
- Consequently, the researchers concluded that acquiring blood samples via an intravenous catheter provides clinical results equivalent to those acquired by direct venipuncture.
- The research did, however, necessitate further research to explore whether the IVC method could increase the chance of complications like phlebitis (vein inflammation) or bacteremia (bacteria in the blood).
Cite This Article
APA
May ML, Nolen-Walston RD, Utter ME, Boston RC.
(2010).
Comparison of hematologic and biochemical results on blood obtained by jugular venipuncture as compared with intravenous catheter in adult horses.
J Vet Intern Med, 24(6), 1462-1466.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2010.0582.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA 19348, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Blood Chemical Analysis / veterinary
- Blood Specimen Collection / methods
- Blood Specimen Collection / veterinary
- Catheters, Indwelling / veterinary
- Female
- Horses / blood
- Jugular Veins
- Male
- Phlebotomy / methods
- Phlebotomy / veterinary
- Prospective Studies
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Kendall A, Lützelschwab C, Lundblad J, Skiöldebrand E. Serum nerve growth factor in horses with osteoarthritis-associated lameness. J Vet Intern Med 2023 May-Jun;37(3):1201-1208.
- Wang WH, Lynch AM, Balko JA, Duffy DJ, Robertson JB, Posner LP. Point-of-care viscoelastic coagulation assessment in healthy dogs during the perianesthetic period. BMC Vet Res 2022 Sep 14;18(1):346.
- Guarino AL, Specht AJ, Beatty SSK, O'Kell AL. Comparison of biochemical and hematologic values obtained via jugular venipuncture and peripheral intravenous catheters in dogs. J Vet Intern Med 2022 Sep;36(5):1628-1640.
- Contalbrigo L, Borgi M, De Santis M, Collacchi B, Tuozzi A, Toson M, Redaelli V, Odore R, Vercelli C, Stefani A, Luzi F, Valle E, Cirulli F. Equine-Assisted Interventions (EAIs) for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): Behavioural and Physiological Indices of Stress in Domestic Horses (Equus caballus) during Riding Sessions. Animals (Basel) 2021 May 27;11(6).
- Lee SM, Kang BJ, Lee S, Kim WH. Comparison of Hematological and Biochemical Results Derived from Arterial and Venous Blood Samples in Post-Anesthetic Dogs. Animals (Basel) 2020 Nov 9;10(11).
- Marqués FJ, Higgins S, Chapuis R, Waldner C. The Effect of Inadequate Presample Blood Volume Withdrawal from Intravenous Catheter and Extension Sets on Measured Circulating L-Blood Lactate Concentration in Horses Receiving Lactated Ringer's Solution. J Vet Intern Med 2017 Jan;31(1):51-54.
- Carlson MM, Sciurba JD, Saunders KE, Kopanke JH. Effect of Anesthesia on Hematologic Parameters of Female Domestic Swine (Sus scrofa domestica). J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci 2025 Jul 1;64(5):1-7.
- Ryman E, Dobbs M, Gabor L, Santhakumar A, Cassar B, Francis N. Comparing Blood Sampling Techniques in Canines: A Pilot Study Using Oclacitinib. Vet Sci 2025 Jun 3;12(6).
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