Abstract
Objective
To identify if rabbit IV catheter placement (ICP) in the marginal ear vein was readily achievable for veterinary students and whether student confidence improved with ICP experience. We hypothesized that students would achieve successful ICP placement on their first attempt and that student confidence would increase after ICP.
Methods
Final-year undergraduate veterinary students on clinical rotations at the University of Edinburgh Hospital for Small Animals participated over a 1-year period. The prospective observational study involved completion of an anonymized questionnaire with 2 parts, completed before ICP and after ICP. The time taken for successful placement and the number of attempts were recorded.
Results
70 students participated in this study. Intravenous catheter placement was successful on the first attempt in 78.5% of students; the mean time for successful ICP was 4 minutes and 10 seconds. After ICP placement, students had a statistically significant increase in confidence in rabbit ICP, scoring a median of 2.5 points higher in confidence on a 10-point scale. There was no significant correlation between previous ICP experience or preprocedure confidence score and speed of ICP.
Conclusions
ICP of the rabbit marginal ear vein is highly achievable for veterinary students, with most students achieving ICP on their first attempt. Following successful ICP, student confidence in this procedure in rabbits increased.
Clinical Relevance
Rabbit ICP is readily achievable by veterinary students and should be included as a core clinical skill in undergraduate veterinary education, promoting confidence in students interacting with this species.
Keywords: veterinary education; veterinary student; Oryctolagus cuniculus; rabbit; intravenous catheter placement
Intravenous catheter placement (ICP) is a key clinical skill in veterinary medicine. Secure IV access is essential for many veterinary procedures and treatments in both traditional companion animal and exotic animal species. Intravenous catheter placement can facilitate delivery of sedative drugs, anesthetic drugs, IV fluid therapy (IVFT), IV medications, IV contrast medium administration, and blood transfusions or assist in performing humane euthanasia.1–3
Anesthetic-related mortality in rabbits is well documented, with rabbit-specific physiological and anatomical traits often considered contributing factors. One study4 reported perianesthetic mortality occurring in 0.73% of perceived “healthy” and 7.37% of known “sick” rabbit patients compared to 0.05% and 1.33% of dogs and 0.11% and 1.4% of cats, respectively. Obtaining IV access in rabbits undergoing an anesthetic procedure is therefore recommended to facilitate “to-effect” administration of IV induction agent, permit provision of intraoperative IVFT to promote normotension and maintain hydration, and allow administration of IV reversal agents and, if required, IV emergency drugs.4–6 Intravenous catheter placement is also required for supportive medical IVFT, often a key component in the treatment of many emergency presentations, including rabbit gastrointestinal syndrome, gastric bloat, and liver lobe torsion.7,8
In 2025, the United Kingdom pet rabbit population was estimated at 700,000, with 2% of adults owning at least 1 rabbit.9 Despite this, when compared with dogs and cats, some veterinary surgeons (VSs) are significantly less confident in performing anesthesia or diagnostic investigations and treatment in pet rabbits.10 In some veterinary clinics, ICP in rabbits may be perceived as more challenging.5,11,12
Several sites are available for ICP in rabbits (Figure 1). The authors’ preferred site for ICP in rabbits is the lateral marginal ear vein, allowing excellent vessel visualization and empathetic restraint of the patient in a normal seated position, minimizing handling-related stress.5,6,13,14 Although a medial marginal vein is also present, given the rarity of use of this vein for ICP or other procedures the lateral marginal vein is most commonly referred to as the “marginal ear vein.” Recent literature has shown that complications such as phlebitis, thrombosis, and hematoma formation are uncommon in clinical practice, with incidents primarily reported in experimental settings.15,16 Peripheral vascular necrosis associated with this catheter site is anecdotally reported; however, in clinical practice it is rare.15 The marginal ear vein should not be confused for the central auricular artery as catheterization of the artery carries a risk of hematoma formation and ischemic injury with ear necrosis. Arterial catheterization in rabbits is not routinely performed in clinical settings but has been described in clinical research.17,18
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