title: Ease of intravenous catheterisation in dogs and cats: a comparative study of two peripheral catheters.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate animal comfort and ease of placement of a veterinary-specific intravenous catheter compared with a catheter manufactured for human use.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-nine veterinary undergraduates were recruited to perform intravenous catheterisations with two brands of over-the-needle catheter [Smiths Medical Jelco® (human use) and Abbott Animal Health catheter® (veterinary use)] in 69 healthy cats (n = 28) and dogs (n = 41) requiring general anaesthesia. After a standardised pre-anaesthetic medication, each animal was randomly allocated to have one of the two brands of catheter placed. Each student was allowed a maximum of three attempts to achieve cephalic vein catheterisation. The student and a single experienced observer evaluated each attempt. Observations related to ease of placement and to the animal's reaction were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Human use catheters were placed in 34 and veterinary use in 35 animals. There was no difference in weight, sex or sedation score between the two groups. The number of failed attempts was similar between the two groups. There was no difference between groups for the number of animals reacting to catheter insertion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The two types of catheters evaluated are equally suitable for intravenous catheterisation of sedated animals by veterinary undergraduate students.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0ES.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chebroux
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Leece
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Brearley
mesh_terms: D000758:Anesthesia / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D016121:Brachiocephalic Veins; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000662:veterinary*; D002415:Cats / Q000502:physiology*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004285:Dogs / Q000502:physiology*; D004520:Education, Veterinary / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies