Modified Seldinger technique for percutaneous placement of a hemodialysis catheter in a dog

To provide a video tutorial illustrating how to place a hemodialysis catheter in the external jugular vein of a dog via a percutaneous modified Seldinger approach.

Any dog requiring vascular catheter placement for extracorporeal therapy.

The patient is placed under general anesthesia in left lateral recumbency. The fur is clipped, and the skin over the right lateral neck is aseptically prepared. The operators are wearing full protective barriers. A skin incision with a No. 11 blade is made over the jugular vessel, and an 18-gauge over-the-needle catheter is used for vascular access. With the use of fluoroscopic guidance, a guidewire is passed through the peripheral catheter and into the caudal vena cava. The peripheral catheter can then be removed and a dilator passed over the guidewire to stretch the size of access into the vein. The dilator is removed, and the catheter is passed over the guidewire. Fluoroscopy is used to confirm placement of the catheter tip, and both lumens are aspirated to test blood flow. The catheter lumens are then flushed with saline and capped. The catheter can then be sutured in place.

An 11-French X 20-cm silicone hemodialysis catheter is placed in the right external jugular vein of a dog.

Dialysis catheter placement is a key step in providing extracorporeal treatment for veterinary patients.