Inflammatory, mechanical and infectious complications associated with peripheral intravenous catheter in dogs and cats

Objectives: To prospectively investigate the incidence of mechanical and inflammatory complications associated with placement of short-term peripheral intravenous catheters and to determine the prevalence of bacterial colonization of the catheters in hospitalized dogs and cats. Methods: A prospective study of 66 peripheral intravenous catheters inserted in 27 dogs and 18 cats over a 3 month period was performed. Assessment of the patients was performed every 12 hours until catheter removal, and a phlebitis score was assigned by means a Visual Infusion Phlebitis (VIP) grading scale from0 to 5. Devices were removedwhen they ceased to be functional and when inflammatory (VIP score of 3 or more) or mechanical complications occurred. The contents of each catheter were collected, using a technique of turbulent flushing into a sterile tube, and submitted for bacterial culture within 12 hours. Bacterial growth of 5 colonies or more was considered positive. Antimicrobial susceptibility of each isolate was determined. Data were assessed using statistical using non parametric methods, comparing percentages were performed by Fischer’s exact test Results: Twenty-eight animals were adults (14 dogs, 14 cats), 13 were puppies and 4 were kittens. Forty-five catheters had one or more complications. Fourteen had mechanical complications, 16 had inflammatory complications and 15 had mechanical and inflammatory complications. Infectious complications occurred in 6 devices that each yielded a single organism (3 Enterobacter spp., 1 Escherichia coli, 1 Staphylococcus spp., 1 Pseudomonas spp.). Four isolateswere multiresistant to 3 or more antimicrobial classes of drugs. Therewas no difference between the frequency of complications (1) and positive culture (2) in cats and dogs (P1>0.9999, P2 = 0.2154), adults and puppies/kittens (P1>0.9999, P2 = 0.8406), cephalic vs saphenous access (P1 = 0.4743, P2>0.9999) and catheter removal within 48 hours (P1 = 0.7634, P2 = 0.6432) or within 72 hours (P1 = 0.4743, P2>0.9999). No correlationwas found (P = 0.1203) between complications and a positive culture. Conclusions: Mechanical and inflammatory complications were frequently associated with peripheral catheter placement. Complications occurred in 68.2% of cases. No risk factors for complications and microbial colonization were identified. 9.1% of animals had a positive culture and multiresistant isolates were a cause for concern. Preventive precautions for aseptic insertion and careful catheter management are pivotal in permitting extended periods of catheter placement.