Page 378 - Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Disorders in Small Animal Practice

368 FLUID THERAPY

directly over the distal handle arm, and advance it c. Once the catheter tip is within the lumen, pull the
sufficiently to drag the catheter tip within the vessel forceps handle toward the foot to straighten the
lumen. vein, and slide the catheter off the needle and up
the vein all the way to the catheter hub.

A B

C D

E F
Figure 15-6 Emergency venous cut down on a canine lateral saphenous vein (A). B, A No. 11 B-P blade is
poked through the skin on the lateral aspect of the tibia 1 cm (0.4 inch) proximal to the saphenous vein and
is lifted as it is advanced through the skin for about 4 cm (1.6 inches) parallel to the vein. C, The distal
aspect of the skin wound is retracted to expose the vein (arrow). D, The index finger of the hand holding the
leg is pushed up under the vein, and the closed jaws of a 4-inch mosquito forceps is forced onto the vein
directly over the fingertip. E, The jaws of the forceps are opened along the long axis of the vein while firmly
pushing the forceps into it and against the finger underneath. F, All perivascular fascia should be stripped away
within three to five repeats of step E. The forceps jaws are closed, and the forceps are slid under the vein in
a cranial-to-caudal direction. Once pushed all the way to the finger holds, the weight of the hinge end
will prevent the forceps from falling off the leg. The vein is now elevated from the wound and occluded
proximally and distally by the forceps handles.