1/29 Bailey PMPS 312 subq question

Status
Not open for further replies.
Wendy&Tiggy(GA)

Wendy&Tiggy(GA)

Member Since 2011
previous post


Thankfully he came down nicely from that high yesterday. Was that a bounce? If so its pretty high. Anyway I am going to start him on fluids soon as per the vets direction and wonder if anyone has advice?

My vet just said give him 75-100ml twice a week and left it to me to get the supplies. I have given this before to Bailey years ago so no problem there, I just am not sure what supplies to get!

1, saline or lacerated ringers?

2. I am going to use an iv bag and drip line but what kind of needles do I use? Safety or non safety (not sure the difference), iv catheter or butterfly? Butterfly look cheaper but I have some 22g safety? needles my sister gave me and wonder if I can use those?

3. Needle gauge and length- I saw 22g at 3/4 or 1 inch lengths...?

Wendy
 
I would ask your vet if he wants you to use saline or lactated ringers (LRS). I think most people use lactated ringers, but I would confirm that with your vet - you want to be using the right solution for Bailey's needs.

Personally, I like 20gauge 1" needles....this size gives me the compromise between a good flow rate and an easy needle stick. Think the 22g would be fine; it just might flow a littler more slowly. My vet uses 18 gauge, but they really are a wickedly big needle for a little cat IMO.

I use an IV line...unfortunately I'm at work and don't have time to look up the link (but I'm sure someone else can provide one). One thing I want to say, though, is be sure you get one with a leur lock; I got lines without the lock once and they leaked.
 
Wendy&Tiggy said:
previous post


Thankfully he came down nicely from that high yesterday. Was that a bounce? If so its pretty high. Anyway I am going to start him on fluids soon as per the vets direction and wonder if anyone has advice?

My vet just said give him 75-100ml twice a week and left it to me to get the supplies. I have given this before to Bailey years ago so no problem there, I just am not sure what supplies to get!

1, saline or lacerated ringers?

2. I am going to use an iv bag and drip line but what kind of needles do I use? Safety or non safety (not sure the difference), iv catheter or butterfly? Butterfly look cheaper but I have some 22g safety? needles my sister gave me and wonder if I can use those?

3. Needle gauge and length- I saw 22g at 3/4 or 1 inch lengths...?

Wendy
Click to expand...


I agree with Amy, on the needle gauge. I use 21 gauge. I think the 18 gauge is way too big. Sami sits still for the fluids and even with a 21 gauge needle it doesn't take that long to give her 100 ml. I also use Lactated Ringers.

I am actually surprise that your vet didn't have the supplies on hand. In the past I have ordered online, but have recently found that I can get the same pricing from my vet.

Here are some links just to get you going in the right direction:
Lactated Ringers
IV Set with extra Port
Needles 21 gauge 1"
 
I have had to give fluids to four of my cats over the past couple of years. It's always been Lactated Ringers. They gave me 20 gauge, 1" needles at UCD for Minka, and they seem to work just fine. Ask your vet if you can get the supplies from them (get a price and then call a drug store and maybe Walmart to compare). My vets have always sold me everything I needed, and their prices were comparable. There has been a shortage of LRS lately, so you might find some places can't get it for you. Vets always have it.

Good luck. I hope it helps Bailey.
 
A tip I got from a vet tech: you can place the bag under your arm like a bag pipe and apply some pressure to increase the rate of flow.
Warming the fluids before giving them helps prevent the cat from becoming chilled; this may be done by placing them in warm water.
 
Last edited:
BJM said:
A tip I got from a vet tech: you can place the bag under your arn like a bag pipe and apply some pressure to increase the rate of flow.
Warming the fluids before giving them helps prevent the cat from becoming chilled; this may be done by placing them in warm water.
Click to expand...

That is really good to know. I found a way to hang the bag from my wine glass rack to let it flow down from over head to the floor where I sit with Sami while she is getting the fluids. It takes less than 5 Minutes to give her 100 ml. I haven't ever timed it, but I think it actually takes between 2-3 minutes.
 
Fantastic Thanks! The vet just said fluids were a good idea for a cat of his age and his issues, 75-100ml and he left it at that. He was in a rush as he is off on holidays and was calling me from his car. He pretty much leaves me to do what I want with my boys and answers my questions as I need.

So maybe I will do saline for now as that's what Bailey had last time. thanks for all the advice though... very helpful! I tend to buy my supplies from a company near Toronto as its much cheaper than the vets but maybe I should give my vet a break and buy something from him for a change.. Although we are at the vets so often I am pretty sure that it's me paying for his trip to Jamaica lol!!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top