Nearly two thirds of veterinary professionals surveyed reported infusion giving set failures that had cost their practice time or money, prompting calls for teams to reassess their equipment and protocols.
Problems with infusion giving sets may have become so familiar in veterinary practice that teams are accepting them as an inevitable part of the job, according to new research commissioned by Infusion Concepts.
The research, which involved an online survey of 179 veterinary professionals and four in-depth interviews conducted between May and July 2026, found that 97.8% of respondents had experienced at least one problem associated with infusion giving sets. Common issues included pump alarms, kinked lines, and patients biting or compressing tubing.
Most respondents used infusion equipment daily or several times a week, and nearly two thirds reported experiencing a giving set failure that had resulted in additional costs or time spent resolving the problem. Examples included replacing giving sets during procedures or ordering replacements at short notice, with nearly one third reporting that this had happened more than once.
“There can be a ‘work-around’ culture around infusion equipment, where clinicians find ways to overcome common giving set problems so they can get on with delivering patient care,” said Sarah Dennis, Product Manager at Infusion Concepts.
“While these work-arounds may solve the immediate problem, over time they can also normalise equipment issues as an inevitable part of daily practice. When problems with giving sets are recurring, they create a genuine operational burden – but that doesn’t mean they have to be accepted.”
Reliability, including resistance to kinking, was ranked as the most important consideration when purchasing giving sets. However, the research also suggested that some practices continued to use equipment inherited from previous purchasing decisions, without necessarily reviewing the alternatives available.
Infusion Concepts says veterinary-specific giving sets may offer advantages in some situations, with tubing designed to resist kinking and biting, and different lengths available to accommodate kennel layouts. The company also highlights that compatible giving sets can sometimes be used with existing infusion pumps, avoiding the need to replace the entire system.
The findings have prompted Infusion Concepts to launch Rethinking Infusion, a campaign encouraging veterinary teams to review their infusion equipment, maintenance practices, and clinical protocols. The campaign includes an online resource hub and a report exploring practical and technical considerations around infusion delivery.
As part of the campaign, a free webinar will take place on 3 November at 12:30, featuring Alison Devonshire Grad Dip PCVN MSc (VAA) RVN and Sarah Dennis.
The session will use clinical scenarios to explore fluid selection, reassessment and adaptation of fluid therapy plans, and troubleshooting infusion equipment in practice. It will also include live polls and an opportunity for participants to ask questions.
“Infusion therapy is such a routine part of veterinary practice that it can be easy to accept familiar frustrations as simply part of the job,” said Sarah.
“Rethinking Infusion is about encouraging teams to question those assumptions and take a fresh look at their equipment, setup and protocols. If we can help practices identify avoidable problems and make infusion delivery more reliable and straightforward, that benefits the veterinary team and supports consistent patient care.”
Veterinary professionals can register for the free webinar or access the Rethinking Infusion resources and report.
Infusion Concepts will also be exhibiting alongside NVS at London Vet Show on stand L50, where veterinary teams can discuss their existing infusion equipment and potential alternatives.
