Retrospective evaluation of the use of small‐bore wire‐guided catheters for the management of peritoneal effusion in cats and dogs

OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of small‐bore wire‐guided catheters in the management of peritoneal effusion in cats and dogs and to detail any associated adverse events. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: University teaching hospital ANIMALS: Forty‐five client‐owned animals that had peritoneal catheters placed for management of peritoneal effusion between July 2010 and June 2021. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Forty‐five cases were included (25 dogs and 20 cats). Twenty‐eight animals had the catheter placed to aid management of a uroabdomen, 8 of which recovered without surgical management, 11 had the catheter placed to allow autotransfusion of hemoabdomen, 3 had peritonitis, and 3 had ascites secondary to cardiac disease. Twenty‐seven cases (15 dogs and 12 cats) received sedation (n = 24) or local anesthesia alone (n = 3) to facilitate catheter placement, and 6 cases had the catheter placed while under general anesthesia. Median length of catheter persistence was 24 hours (range: 2–144 h). The most common adverse events reported were impaired drainage (n = 7) and leakage at the insertion site (n = 4). CONCLUSIONS: Peritoneal catheters can be inserted percutaneously for management of peritoneal effusion. Indications include stabilization and conservative management of uroabdomen, and autotransfusion. They can often be placed with minimal or no sedation and adverse events appear infrequent in occurrence.