KRUUSE I Infusion Maintenance of Catheter Site and Post-surgery Care In rodents, maintenance of the catheters is the same as for dogs and cats. But there is less space, and the catheter should only be left in when necessary. Avoid covering the insertion site with too much tape and be sure to unwrap elastic bandage cover twice daily to check the surroundings. It is crucial to act by removing the catheter if inflammation is identified. Inflammation is present if the catheter site is red, warm, swollen, and painful. If the animal seems uncomfortable or depressed, the catheter site should be checked more frequently. Although ill or moribund rabbits seldom interfere with the drip, once they are rehydrated and warm, most rabbits require BUSTER collars, extensive bandaging or even sedation to prevent them from pulling out the catheter or chewing through the tubing. At this point, it is preferable to take out the catheter and maintain fluid balance orally. Monitoring Monitoring animals undergoing fluid therapy is a MUST. Over-perfusion causes pleural effusion, pulmonary and peripheral oedema. Lethargy, tachypnoea, heart murmurs, gallop rhythm, increased lung sounds, and peripheral oedema are clinical signs of iatrogenic fluid overload, which is very difficult to reverse. It is therefore important to know when to stop. There are some basic signs to look for. This is where we don’t want to go! Early stage n Serous nasal discharge n Tachypnea Severe overhydration n Pulmonary edema n Subcutaneous edema n Jugular venous extension www.kruuse.com KRUUSE© · 01-2022 · 20972 · INT
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