2
$\begingroup$

A patient has a saline solution IV drip into the vein. They have somehow moved around and the needle has fallen out of the vein, but remained in the body. Nobody has noticed and for a few hours water has accumulated like a balloon in the arm.

What happens? Is it dangerous? If untreated, would the body absorb the water, or would it remain as a balloon / pocket? If a pocket of water forms, what is the treatment?

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
4
  • $\begingroup$ Is this a question about a real case? Or are you possibly asking about a homework question? (It sounds kind of like that to me) $\endgroup$
    – Armatus
    Sep 16, 2013 at 22:10
  • $\begingroup$ Real case. I've been sent home with a puppy and an IV. It is the middle of the night. Closest vet is 6 hours away, and only available in the morning. $\endgroup$
    – Bob
    Sep 16, 2013 at 22:37
  • $\begingroup$ @Bob we need to know where the pocket is exactly. $\endgroup$
    – user1357
    Sep 16, 2013 at 23:03
  • $\begingroup$ @caseyr547 above where the needle was inserted. Between elbow and shoulder. $\endgroup$
    – Bob
    Sep 16, 2013 at 23:48

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
1
$\begingroup$

The most common IV drip that would be sent home with a pet owner is Ringer's solution. This fluid is also commonly injected as a subcutaneous (between muscle and skin) bolus into both cats and dogs. Although IV administration is more efficient, this fluid is completely harmless if an IV catheter were dislodged allowing it to accumulate in the surrounding tissue.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
0
$\begingroup$

CALL YOUR VET ASAP. The following information is NOT from a medical or veterinary professional. It is based off of human physiology and doesn't necessarily apply to other mammals. I cannot guarantee the accuracy or effectiveness of any information that follows.

They have somehow moved around and the needle has fallen out of the vein, but remained in the body. Nobody has noticed and for a few hours water has accumulated like a balloon in the arm.

This is called "infiltration":

Diagram of Infiltration and Extravasation enter image description here

Is it dangerous?

It can be, depending on what was in the IV.

If untreated, would the body absorb the water, or would it remain as a balloon / pocket? If a pocket of water forms, what is the treatment?

Taken from here:

"If the infiltration is severe, you may consider the application of a compress in addition to elevating the affected limb. Check your institution’s policy regarding which type of compress (warm or cold) should be applied. Generally speaking, if the infiltration solution was isotonic, a warm compress is used to alleviate discomfort and help absorb the infiltration by increasing circulation to the affected area. However, sloughing can occur from the application of a warm compress to an area infiltrated with certain medications such as potassium chloride. In certain situations, a cold compress is recommended."

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
4
  • $\begingroup$ Thanks for this answer. Unfortunately the vet was not available to call, but by morning, the water pocket had been sloughed into the body. I think we dodged a bullet. $\endgroup$
    – Bob
    Sep 17, 2013 at 12:50
  • $\begingroup$ It seems like this was 'infiltration' as you say. $\endgroup$
    – Bob
    Sep 17, 2013 at 12:51
  • $\begingroup$ When we told the vet in the morning, they didn't even seem the slightest concerned this happened. I dont know - but I think that is weird. If we had of been asleep, this would have continued for another 6 hours. I am surprised they sent us home with an IV in the first place without telling us all the possible issues, such as blood clotting in the tubes (which happened earlier) due to poor circulation. $\endgroup$
    – Bob
    Sep 17, 2013 at 12:52
  • $\begingroup$ Well, I simply do not know how dangerous it is. My intuition says it's not particularly dangerous since the extra fluid is, eventually, absorbed. However, I'm not a medical professional and don't know the circumstances that dictates when it becomes dangerous. Thus, the big warning at the beginning. Better safe than sorry. :-) $\endgroup$
    – MCM
    Sep 17, 2013 at 13:23

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .