[Catheter-associated complications in the horse - diagnosis and treatment in practice]

Venous diseases due to venous catheters have variable symptoms and clinical progress. They comprise perivenous hematoma, periphlebitis, endophlebitis, phlebothrombosis or septic thrombophlebitis. To diagnose venous disease, a clinical examination (possibillity to distend the vein, swelling, pain, increased skin temperature, and any exudation around the injection site) and an ultrasonographic examination (perivenous tissue, venous wall, venous content) of the vein are performed. Treatment of venous diseases depends on the etiology and pathogenesis and combines the use of anticoagulants (heparin, phenprocoumon), anti-inflammatory and analgesic substances (non-steroidal inflammatory drugs) as well as the application of antibiotics depending on the case. For prevention of venous diseases a careful catheter management is important. This includes in particular the adequate selection of the catheter system (long-term catheter made of polyurethane), catheter care and intensive monitoring. This article reviews the different venous diseases, diagnosis and therapeutic measures in a practical manner.