Re: 6/30 Jinx PMPS 393, sub-q fluid/insulin timing
Hmmm.....well, it depends on the cat as to whether it is a two person job. ;-)
Here's a great website to read first....it has lots of great points:
Sophia gets her subqs
Important points:
--I freeze my needles....it sort of anesthetizes the area where you stick it; I usually keep about 3-4 in the freezer at a time
--the needle is inserted bevel side up
--I warm my fluids; I have a digital thermometer that reads the temp through the bag. But you can check it on your arm. A cat's normal body temp is higher than yours
--the line is the tube...yes; I save the little cap that is on the end of that tube where you put the needle. I take the cap off, open the valve all the way, bleed some of the fluid into a small glass, close the valve, put the needle on, insert it into the cat, open the valve all the way. When I'm done, close the valve, take the needle off, open the valve, bleed more fluid out of the bag to flush the line, close the valve, and then store it with the little cap on it. Don't store it with a needle on it
MJ uses the large syringes to give fluids. That might be easier for some but since I have to do it every day with Gus, it's just easier to get the bag, the line, and do it the way I do. He's happy...everything goes fine.
With a 22g needle and a perfect poke, it takes me about 8-10 mins to get 125 mls in.
Here are two videos....one of Mike giving them to Gus and then a really informative one. Ours just shows how easy it can be; I'm not usually standing there....just was that day to take the video. It's kind of boring so don't feel like you have to watch it all but Mike gets kisses (from Gus, not me) at the end
Here's the Gus video:[youtube]W4wweyuq3Y4[/youtube]
Here's another one of a vet doing it: [youtube]/F5dnpvvlqtM[/youtube]