Prevalence of and risk factors for intravenous catheter infection in hospitalized cattle, goats, and sheep

Abstract Background Intravenous catheter (IVC) use in hospitalized ruminants is a common procedure. Limited information is available describing complications associated with IVCs. Hypotheses Prevalence of IVC infections in hospitalized ruminants is >50%. Intravenous catheters maintained for >5 days are more likely to be infected than those maintained for <5 days. Intravenous catheters placed non‐aseptically have a higher risk for infection than those placed aseptically. Animals Thirty‐four cattle, 39 goats, and 33 sheep were hospitalized in a university teaching hospital. Methods Prospective observational study. The IVCs from cattle, goats, and sheep admitted for medical and surgical procedures were randomly selected and submitted for bacteriological culture and susceptibility testing. Results Prevalence values (95% confidence interval) of infected catheters were 61.8 (45.5, 78.1), 51.3 (35.3, 66.7), and 42.4% (25.2, 58.8) in cattle, goats, and sheep, respectively. Coagulase‐negative Staphylococcus spp was the most frequently isolated bacterium. Catheter type/placement technique was a significant (P = .03) predictor of IVC infection in goats but not in cattle (P = .65) and sheep (P = .47). Antibiotic use and reason for catheter placement were not significant predictors of IVC infection in all species. Catheters maintained for >4 days had a higher likelihood of being infected than those maintained for <4 days in all species. Conclusions and Clinical importance Clinicians should consider replacing catheters maintained for >4 days to reduce IVC infection.