Page 374 - Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Disorders in Small Animal Practice

364 FLUID THERAPY

K L

M N

O

Figure 15-4 cont'd K, This provides a secure connection between the catheter assembly and skin
sutures. L, The point of insertion is covered with povidone-iodine impregnated gauze, and the catheter is
loosely anchored to the neck with porous 2.5-cm (1-inch) white cloth tape. In this example, the tape has been
split down the middle to the last 13 cm (5 inches), which has been applied directly to the original “sandwich”
of waterproof tape. One of the strip halves was wrapped down and around the dog's neck, and the other was
wrapped upward in the opposite direction. M, Sequential layers of 5-cm (2-inch) cast padding, stretch gauze,
and coadhesive stretch bandage material are applied, rolling up the neck on the catheter side. During the
application, the animal's nose should be oriented down in a natural head position. N, A piece of split tape is
applied to hold the bandage material down around the exposed hub of the catheter, and the Luer end of the
“T” piece is anchored with another piece of tape, which is labeled with a description of the catheter, the date,
and the operator initials. O, With the animal's nose pointed down, the front of the ventral aspect of the
bandage is checked for tightness. If it is too snug, it is partially split with scissors.