Phlebitis in Cats: Vet Guide 🐱🩸 2025

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc, veterinarian & founder of Ask A Vet.

Phlebitis is inflammation of a vein—often due to injury, infection, or clots. While uncommon in cats, it's important to recognize and treat early to prevent pain, clot formation, or systemic illness.

🔍 What Is Phlebitis?

Phlebitis describes inflammation within a vein, which may be superficial or deep. When accompanied by a clot, it's called thrombophlebitis :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.

🧬 Causes & Risk Factors

• IV catheters: most frequent cause—mechanical irritation or bacterial contamination :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
• Bacterial infection or sepsis: pathogens entering wound or blood :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
• Clots (thrombus): can form within inflamed veins :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
• Trauma & wounds: local injuries inflaming veins :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
• Underlying diseases: heart disease, hypercoagulable states, cancer, pancreatitis :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
• Immune disorders or steroid use: can predispose to vessel inflammation :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.

🚨 Signs & Symptoms

Look for localized changes along a vein—mostly where an IV was placed:

• 🔴 Redness, warmth, swelling, pain, hardness along the vein :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
• Low-grade fever or discomfort :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
• Discharge, swelling at catheter site :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
• If systemic: lethargy, loss of appetite, additional vein involvement :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.

🧪 Diagnostic Approach

• Physical exam: palpate and inspect veins—note erythema, cords, pain.
• Doppler ultrasound: assesses blood flow, clots or obstruction :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
• Bloodwork: CBC, chemistry, blood cultures if infection suspected :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.
• Imaging: X-rays, CT angiography for deep clots or concurrent disease :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.
• Urinalysis: if systemic involvement possible.

💊 Treatment Strategies

Treatment focuses on reducing inflammation, managing infection, and preventing clots.

1. Anti‑inflammatories

• NSAIDs (meloxicam, etc.) reduce inflammation and discomfort :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.
• Warm compresses along affected vein may soothe symptoms :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.

2. Antibiotics

• Start empiric antibiotics if infection suspected; adjust based on culture :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}.
• Typically continue 7–14 days, extending if bloodstream infection detected.

3. Anticoagulants

• Consider low-dose heparin or clopidogrel for thrombophlebitis :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}.
• Monitor closely—cats are sensitive to clotting changes.

4. Supportive Care

• Rest and prevent catheter placement in same vein.
• Remove IV catheter if related to phlebitis :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}.
• Keep site clean and covered; recheck daily.

5. Surgical Intervention

Rarely needed—but severe cases with abscess or necrosis may require:

• Thrombectomy (clot removal), vein ligation, or debridement :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}.

📆 Prognosis & Follow-Up

• Superficial phlebitis often resolves within 1–2 weeks with proper care :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}.
• Thrombophlebitis may require longer treatment with anticoagulants and monitoring.
• Systemic infection or clots carry guarded prognosis—early treatment improves outcomes.
• Remove catheters promptly, use sterile technique and short dwell times to prevent recurrence :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}.

🏠 Home Care & Prevention

• Carefully monitor catheter sites; remove IVs at first sign of redness or pain.
• Use aseptic technique—sterile prep, secure dressing, rotate sites regularly :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}.
• Keep your cat calm to reduce movement around IV.
• Apply warm compresses, give medications as directed.
• Watch for fever, lethargy, new swelling, respiratory signs.

🤝 Role of Ask A Vet, Woopf & Purrz

Ask A Vet offers telehealth support for:

• 📸 Remote site assessment and guidance
• 💬 Help interpreting symptoms and treatment plans
• 🔁 Follow-up after hospital discharge to track healing progress

Woopf & Purrz boost vascular support through hydration-enhancing nutrition and supplements that support vessel integrity and healing.

✅ Key Takeaways

• Phlebitis is vein inflammation—often from catheter use, infection, or clot formation
• Signs include redness, warmth, swelling, pain, and sometimes fever
• Diagnosis uses exam, Doppler, blood cultures, imaging
• Treatment includes anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, anticoagulants, and catheter removal
• Prevention relies on sterile IV techniques and careful site monitoring
• Telehealth and nutrition support improve recovery and compliance

📞 Final Thoughts

While phlebitis is uncommon in cats, it's important to identify and treat early—especially after catheter use. With timely care, vein inflammation generally resolves well. And with Ask A Vet telehealth and high‑quality nutritional support from Woopf & Purrz, you’ll be equipped to help your cat heal comfortably. 😊

Need help with site care, catheter removal timing, or anticoagulant use? Visit AskAVet.com and download the Ask A Vet app today!