Thrombophlebitis (vein inflammation with thrombus)

Veterinary care required

This condition belongs in veterinary diagnosis and treatment. Compounds are at most supportive.

Priority · vet & management

Diagnosis and treatment need veterinary clarification, usually clinically and by ultrasound of the vein to assess thrombus, patency and possible infection. The focus is on removing the triggering catheter, wound hygiene, veterinary pain/anti-inflammatory and possibly antibiotic/anticoagulant therapy and sparing the vein; complementary feeds have no role here.

Possible causes

• · venous catheters (dwell time, material, care) as the most common cause
• · paravenous or irritating injections
• · septic colonisation of the thrombus with bacteria
• · a pre-existing tendency to clot in critically ill horses (e.g. endotoxaemia)

Supportive compounds · supplementary feed, not medication

Prevention

Careful catheter and injection technique, short dwell time and good care of venous accesses as well as daily checking of the puncture site markedly lower the risk of thrombophlebitis.

Equiterna's take

Equiterna links thrombophlebitis above all to hygiene and technique around venous accesses — the early veterinary work-up by ultrasound is important so as not to overlook an infection or a vessel occlusion.