Unintended migration of a catheter inserted into the extradural intervertebral vein of a harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus).

A 22-year-old, intact female harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus), body mass 114 kg, was presented for advanced diagnostic imaging to investigate chronic thoracic limb lameness and intermittent hematuria. To secure vascular access following induction of general anesthesia, a catheter was inserted at the lumbosacral junction and advanced into the extradural intervertebral vein (EDV). The catheter was easily advanced on the third attempt to identify the EDV. Following iodinated contrast medium injection, computed tomography showed that the EDV catheter had wrapped around the spinal cord, resulting in the distal end facing a lumbar intervertebral foramen. Despite this complication, which was not identified until the end of anesthesia, the pharmaceutical antagonists given via the EDV catheter were effective in hastening recovery following discontinuation of sevoflurane.