Cutaneous antimicrobial preparation prior to intravenous catheterization in healthy dogs: Clinical, microbiological, and histopathological evaluation

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a one-minute chlo rhexidine gluconate skin preparation protocol prior to cephalic vein cathet erization. Twenty-three healthy beagle dogs had one leg aseptically prepare d and the opposite leg served as a control. Twenty-six- and 77-hour time gr oups were studied. Chlorhexidine-treated legs had significantly lower cutan eous bacterial counts than the control legs prior to catheter insertion and prior to catheter withdrawal for both time groups. Control legs developed significantly more dermatitis than the treated legs after 77 h. A one-minut e preparation with 4% chlorhexidine gluconate was an effective method for s ustained reduction of cutaneous bacterial counts at peripheral intravenous catheter insertion points in dogs. Increased cutaneous bacterial counts wer e associated with significantly more microscopic dermatitis in untreated le gs after 77 h of catheterization.