Bacterial Colonization of Intravenous Catheters in Healthy Dogs

Abstract

Bacterial colonisation of intravenous catheters replaced aseptically by vena cephalica and kept for 96 hour in 10 healthy dogs was studied. All dogs received 100 ml of 0.9% saline + 5% dextrose solution every day for four days. From 9 of the 10 catheters bacteria were isolated. Their sensitivity against nine antibiotics was studied. Thrombophlebitis was noticed in four dogs. Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Serratia liquefaciens and Micrococcus spp. were found to be associated with thrombophlebitis. This study highlights the care to be taken against possible infections by catheter usage.