Introduction
Fluid therapy is a vital part of avian medicine, and appropriate administration of fluids is essential. Intravenous (IV) catheters are commonly used intraoperatively or in more stable hospitalized patients. Unfortunately intravenous catheter placement in the bird can be challenging. Bird veins can be difficult to access, and the vessels are also prone to hematoma formation. Intraosseous catheter placement is generally faster and easier in birds and should be used as a first choice in an emergency situation.
Video
Video produced by Dr. M. Scott Echols and narrated by Dr. Susan Orosz.
Equipment needed
- Small, short indwelling catheter (Select a 24 or 26-ga catheter for most parrots, a 22-ga catheter may be used in a large bird).
- T-port or PRN adapter with a plug-tip (Avoid screw-tip or luer lock adapters, as the weight of the screw tends to pull the catheter back out of the vein).
- White porous tape
- Bandage material
- Suture
- Surgical glue (optional)
- Elizabethan collar (optional)
Potential complications
Significant bleeding can occur if an IV catheter is pulled out or slides out, particularly if a large bandage covers the catheter.
Accessible veins for IV catheter placement
- Jugular catheters may be placed in birds as small as 75 grams (Fig 1).
- Catheters may be placed in the medial metatarsal vein of birds exceeding 300 grams (Fig 2).
- The basilic vein, also known as the cutaneous ulnar or “wing” vein, is very superficial and at particular risk for hematoma formation. Therefore this vessel is typically used only for surgical procedures (Fig 3).
Step-by-step instruction for jugular catheter placement
- General anesthesia is typically required unless the patient is extremely weak.
- Identify the featherless tract or aptyerylae overlying the right jugular vein (Fig 4).
- Prepare the skin aseptically.
- Enter the vessel in the distal one-half to one-third of the neck. Select a catheter of sufficient length to reach the thoracic inlet to minimize the risk of kinking (Fig 5).
- Secure the catheter using butterfly tape and stay sutures (Fig 6). Place the suture caudal to the catheter. If placed cranially, the catheter can easily come out with neck movement.
- Loosely encircle the catheter with a padded wrap to improve stability.
- If the catheter will be maintained in a conscious patient, tape the T-port to an area on the outside of the bandage that the bird is least likely to reach with its beak (Fig 7).
- Monitor the bird closely for signs of chewing, and consider using an Elizabethan collar on birds with leg or wing catheters.
References
References
Antinoff N. Catheters in birds: When, where, and how? Proc Annu Conf Assoc Avian Veterinarians; 2009.
Bowles H, Lichtenberger M, Lennox A. Emergency and critical care of pet birds. Vet Clin North America Exotic Animal Practice 10(2):355, 2007.
Harris DJ. Therapeutic avian techniques. Atlantic Coast Veterinary Conference; 2001.
Rupiper D. Simple applications and practical equipment you can make. Annu Conf Assoc Avian Veterinarians; 2007.
Pollock C. Intravenous catheter placement in the bird. December 27, 2010. LafeberVet Web site. Available at https://lafeber.com/vet/how-to-guide-intravenous-catheter-placement-in-the-bird/