Cephalic and Saphenous Vein Catheterization Page 1 ... - Hungarovet

Placing a catheter in the cephalic or saphenous vein. Small Animal Diagnostic and Treat...http://courses.vetmed.wsu.edu/samdx/cephalic.aspPage 2 of 608-04-2008The individual holding the leg places the thumb of thesame hand across the dorsum of the limb to occludevenous blood returning from the leg, causing the veinto distend with blood. In some cases the vein will beclearly visable, in other cases you may palpate thedistended vein.The holder places her thumb firmly on the medial side of the most proximal aspect of thelimb. The thumb is "dragged" to the dorsal aspect of the leg which will "roll" the cephalic veinto the dorsum of the leg. Pressure is applied with the thumb to restrict blood flow returningfrom the distal limb, causing the vein to engorge with blood. The catheter should be placedas distal in the vein as possible. If the catheter is too proximal, its tip will lay at the elbow. Asthe animal withdraws its leg, flow through the catheter may cease. You can catheterize thecephalic vein on the medial side of the limb, at a location distal to the junction of the cephalicand accessory cephalic veins. Before making the puncture, the venipuncturist can lay thethumb of the hand that is holding the leg, adjacent to the vein to reduce vein movement when