How to Place a Dorsal Pedal Arterial Catheter in a Dog

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September 2025

In this VETgirl online veterinary continuing education video, Amanda M. Shelby, RVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia) demonstrates how to place an arterial catheter in the dorsal pedal artery of a dog. As the top choice for monitoring blood pressure in critical patients, the dorsal pedal artery is a great starting point for learning this veterinary technician skill. Build from there to branch out to other arteries, as seen HERE. Now that you have placed the arterial catheter, check out this VETgirl video How to Set Up a Direct Pressure Monitoring Transducer.

References:
1. van Oostrom H, Knowles TG. The clinical efficacy of EMLA cream for intravenous catheter placement in client-owned dogs. VAA. 2018;45(5):604-8.
2. Leask E. Efficacy of EMLA™ cream for reducing pain associated with venipuncture in felines. Veterinary Evidence. 2021;6(3).

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