ABSTRACT
Emergency access to the venous system is vitally important to all veterinary practitioners. This access most commonly requires catheterization of peripheral veins to facilitate treatment of patients in shock or cardiopulmonary arrest. Oftentimes, venous access is challenging and difficult because of poor perfusion, the size of the patient, exotic veterinary species, edematous patients, obesity, or the lack of technical skills of the veterinarian or technician. Peripheral veins continue to be the primary sites for emergency placement of catheters. These sites include the jugular, cephalic, medial saphenous, and lateral saphenous veins. When these veins are unavailable, the most logical site depends on the need for emergency access. Intravenous use of catheters involves the selection of a catheter, proper vein selection, preparation of the venipuncture site, insertion, bandaging, maintenance of the catheter, and an awareness of potential complications. The need for an intravenously placed catheter should be assessed daily. At present, intravenously placed catheters are usually changed every 72 hours.
