How do you start an IV in a dog?

Answer 1

Most veterinarians first try to place an IV catheter in the front leg, in the superficial vein that runs over the metacarpal bones of the lower forelimb. With a dog in sternal recumbency (lying on his chest bone), you would take your non-dominant hand and use the thumb to apply pressure both down and laterally to stabilize the vein and occlude it so it fills with blood and becomes easier to see. In long-haired dogs, you may need to use some isopropyl alcohol on the area to wet the hair down and allow you to see the vein. In most practices, a technician or assistant will restrain the dog and 'roll the vein' for the veterinarian or technician placing the catheter - this allows the veterinarian to control the paw and increase the venous blood pressure through squeezing the paw.

Once you can visualize the vein, place the point of the IV catheter against the skin so that you can see the opening in the needle tip. Firmly and smoothly drive the catheter forward, breaking the skin and the wall of the vein and feeding the IV cathether down the vein. Once the catheter tip is in, release the downward pressure on the vein to allow blood flow to resume; otherwise you end up with a bloody mess and can blow the vein out. Use narrow strips of medical tape to secure the catheter in place and attach fluids or whatever need injecting to the catheter.

Answer 2

Most IV catheters in dogs are placed into a vein in the front leg. The placement technique is similar to what is used in humans - sanitize the area as best as possible, sterilely place the catheter and secure it in place. If the front leg is not available, the back leg has a reasonably accessible vein, or the jugular vein can be used.