Complications of indwelling, silastic central venous access catheters in dogs and cats

The records of 35 dogs and two cats with Broviac-Cookea catheters implanted during a one-year period at The Ohio State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital (OSU-VTH) were reviewed for complications. In 36 patients, the catheters were used for daily anesthesia associated with cobalt radiotherapy, and in one dog the catheter was used for parenteral hyperalimentation. The catheters were in place for a mean of 16.7 days. Complications occurred in five patients and included infection or sepsis (n = 3), local abscess formation (n = 1), and local induration (n = 1); all the complications resolved with appropriate therapy. Broviac-Cooke catheters should be considered for use in dogs and cats requiring frequent blood sampling, repeated intravenous access, or in those for which routine venous access is difficult or impossible. The complication rate is minimal (13%) and is similar to that reported in studies of humans with indwelling, silastic catheters.

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