Assessment jugular thrombophlebitis development in horses presenting gastrointestinal disease and underwent laparotomy

Abstract

Horses with gastrointestinal disorders and sepsis may develop coagulopathies which are usually proportional to the severity of the injury. Medical treatment of acute abdomen or postoperative care of horses undergoing surgery for gastrointestinal lesions is often intensive and frequently necessitates long-term maintenance of a jugular catheter for administration of intravenous fluids and medications. If these horses have concurrent coagulopathies, in association with jugular vein trauma and inflammation occurring with catheterization, they are at increased risk for the development of thrombophlebitis of the jugular vein. The present study aims to evaluate, by ultrasonography, the jugular vein blood flow and the development of jugular thrombophlebitis in horses presenting gastrointestinal disease and undergoing laparotomy. 15 colic horses surgically treated at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital "Governador Laudo Natel" of FCAV/Unesp, will be evaluated. Ultrasonographic evaluations will be performed on the admission of the horse, 24, 48, and 72 hours after surgery, and on discharge day. Possibly, the results will indicate the relation between the gastrointestinal disease and thrombophlebitis development during the post-surgical period, when horses will be kept implanted with a catheter into the jugular vein.(AU)