Intravenous Catheter Placement in the Bird

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).
    The right jugular vein tends to be larger.

    Figure 1. The right jugular vein tends to be larger. Photo credit: Dr. Lauren Powers. Click image to enlarge.

     

  • Catheters may be placed in the medial metatarsal vein of birds exceeding 300 grams (Fig 2).

    The medial metatarsal vein

    Figure 2. The medial metatarsal vein is selected in larger birds or in species that lack a featherless tract overlying the jugular vein such as pigeons. Click image to enlarge.

  • 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).

    The basilic vein, also known as the cutaneous ulnar or wing vein

    Figure 3. The basilic vein, also known as the cutaneous ulnar or wing vein, is visible just underneath the skin as it passes over the medial surface of the elbow.  Photo credit: Dr. Lauren Powers. Click image to enlarge.

 

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).

    The jugular vein

    Figure 4. The jugular vein of most birds lies within a featherless tract or apterylae. Click image to enlarge.

  • 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).

    Enter the vessel in the distal one-half to one-third of the neck

    Figure 5. Enter the vessel in the distal one-half to one-third of the neck. Click image to enlarge.

  • 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.

    Secure the catheter with a butterfly strip of tape and suture

    Figure 6. Secure the catheter with a butterfly strip of tape and suture. Click image to enlarge.

  • 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).

    Tape T-port to an area outside of the bandage

    Figure 7. Tape the T-port to an area outside of the bandage not easily reached by the beak. Click image to enlarge.

  • 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.

To cite this page:

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/