Very Common
Less Common
You also might be observing
Observation
What you see. The starting point for addressing any equine health related issue is your observation.
YOU ARE OBSERVING
Jugular Vein Lost or Damaged
Summary
There are two jugular veins, found in the right and left jugular furrow of the lower third of the side of the neck. The jugular veins carry blood from a horse's head back to its heart.
A jugular vein can be damaged by poor intravenous (IV) injection technique, or irritation from an IV catheter used during veterinary treatment. A hard or "corded" jugular vein indicates blockage of the vein by a clot (thrombosis). If you try to hold off a clotted vein, you will notice no normal fill upstream. Over the long-term, a clotted jugular vein becomes less and less obvious. Someone trying to hold off the vein will simply not see anything.
A jugular vein can be damaged by poor intravenous (IV) injection technique, or irritation from an IV catheter used during veterinary treatment. A hard or "corded" jugular vein indicates blockage of the vein by a clot (thrombosis). If you try to hold off a clotted vein, you will notice no normal fill upstream. Over the long-term, a clotted jugular vein becomes less and less obvious. Someone trying to hold off the vein will simply not see anything.
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Code Orange
Call Your Vet at Their First Available Office Hours
your role
What To Do
Assess the horse's general health using the Whole Horse Exam (WHE), paying particular attention to whether the horse also has a fever. Examine the area. If the area is cord-like, hard and non-painful, veterinary treatment may not be needed. If however, there is heat and swelling in the area, or your horse exhibits a pain response when the area is pressed, your vet may need to examine your horse. Regardless, contact your vet with your findings and concerns.
Skills you may need
Procedures that you may need to perform on your horse.
your vet's role
Your vet assesses this area using physical exam. Ultrasound is very helpful for visualizing the specific nature of the problem. Horses can survive and thrive having lost a single jugular vein.
Questions Your Vet Might Ask:
- Is there heat, swelling or pain in the area?
- How does this area compare to the other side?
- Do you notice any swelling of the head?
- Does the horse have a fever?
- What are the results of the Whole Horse Exam (WHE)?
Diagnostics Your Vet May Perform
Figuring out the cause of the problem. These are tests or procedures used by your vet to determine what’s wrong.
Diagnoses Your Vet May Consider
The cause of the problem. These are conditions or ailments that are the cause of the observations you make.
Very Common
Treatments Your Vet May Recommend
A way to resolve the condition or diagnosis. Resolving the underlying cause or treating the signs of disease (symptomatic treatment)
Very Common
