Fluid administration splint

Abstract

This device is a splint assembly around an animal's leg, for shielding a catheter taped to the leg; including an extendible splint member hinged to an extendible cover for accommodating a different length of leg, and a latch for securing the splint assembly to a door of a cage containing the animal receiving intravenous fluid.

What I claim as new, is: 
     
       1. A fluid administration splint, comprising, in combination, a splint member and cover hinged together, an adjustable extension on a rear of the splint member, a raised peripheral lip around said splint member and extension forming a padded central depression for receiving an animal's leg having a catheter taped thereto, and a latch for rigidly securing said splint to a door of a cage containing an animal being treated. 
     
     
       2. The combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein said cover is snap-fitted in closed position on said splint member, and then secured by loop pile strips around said splint member and said cover. 
     
     
       3. The combination as set forth in claim 2, wherein an adjustable extension on said cover limits an access opening for said animal leg. .Iadd.4. A fluid administration leg splint for animals comprising a splint member for confining at least a portion of a leg of an animal therein,   a hard cover disposed over a substantial central portion of said splint member for preventing an animal whose leg is confined in said splint member from chewing or tearing away an intervenous needle and catheter taped to said leg,   a raised peripheral lip around said splint member forming a central depression for receiving an animal's leg having a catheter taped thereto, and   a latch for securing a forward end of said splint member to a cage containing said animal. .Iaddend. .Iadd.5. The splint of claim 4 wherein said splint member is adjustable in longitudinal dimension to accommodate   
     
     
        animal legs of varying lengths. .Iaddend. .Iadd.6.  The splint of claim 4 wherein said lip forms a pocket on a rear end of said splint member for confining the leg joint or elbow of an animal's leg thereagainst. .Iaddend. .Iadd.7. The splint of claim 4 further comprising padding 
     
     
        disposed in said central depression. .Iaddend. 8. The splint of claim 4 wherein said cover is removably disposed over at least a central portion of said splint member.