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More than a quarter of PIVCs cause complications
In one third of cases, proper hand hygiene was not used before the procedure.
Complications can compromise welfare and increase cost of care.

A study has revealed new insights into the complications caused by peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) in UK small animal practices.

Researchers from the Royal Veterinary College found that PIVCs, which are used daily in veterinary practices, could be linked to numerous complications which might threaten an animal’s welfare.

A team of veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses examined the outcomes of PIVC placements in 19 veterinary institutes across the country over the course of 12 months. Five large referral hospitals contributed to 64 per cent of PIVC submissions.

The study investigated how the procedure had affected 325 dogs and 57 cats, with the majority of PIVCs placed to administer intravenous fluid therapy and intravenous medications. Most PIVCs were fitted by registered veterinary nurses.

There were complications following a PIVC placement in 26.7 per cent of cases, the most common of these being limb swelling/suspected phlebitis and PIVC dislodgement.

The risks of PIVC placements were increased where there was more than one attempt to place a PIVC or the catheter was not the first to be placed. Risks were also higher where flushing had taken place at irregular time intervals or it had been flushed with compound sodium lactate.

The study also revealed that, in one third of cases, proper hand hygiene was not performed before the procedure.

The researchers have now stressed the importance of hand hygiene before attempting PIVC placement, as well as preparing the skin with a minimum of two per cent chlorhexidine. Patients with a PIVC should also be closely monitored, especially where a patient was at increased complication risk.

Chris Scudder, author of the study, said: "It was fantastic to be part of a motivated team who wanted to improve our understanding about PIVC complications.

“Our ambition is to ultimately decrease the adverse consequences of PIVC use in small animal practice, which in turn will hopefully improve the welfare of the pets we look after and reduce the prescription of antibiotics to manage catheter-related infections."

The full study can be found in the Journal of Small Animal Practice.

Image © Shutterstock

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Antibiotic Amnesty survey opens

News Story 1
 The Responsible Use of Medicines Alliance - Companion Animal and Equine (RUMA - CA&E) has launched a survey which seeks to measure the success of this year's Antibiotic Amnesty campaign.

Its results will help the group to calculate how many unused or out-of-date antibiotics were returned as part of the campaign throughout November. Practices are also asked how they engaged with clients to raise awareness of the issue.

Participating practices can enter a prize draw to win up to 100 in vouchers for taking part. Further prizes from BSAVA and Webinar Vet will be available for practices with the best input.

The survey takes a few minutes to complete and will be running throughout December. It can be accessed via this link

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.