Advice on subq fluid

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chloe1

Member Since 2012
Can anyone tell me more about it? What to use, how much, how often, where to inject- same as I would insulin? etc. Thank you for all advice and sugestions. This would be for maintenance.
 
Give a few hours after or before insulin, in a different location. Many of the insulins we use should not be diluted, so you want the fluids deposited in a different spot.

If you can, warm them up a bit before giving (without needle on kit, 15-30 seconds in a microwave may work), and wrap kitty in a warm towel or blanket. Cold fluids may drop the itnernal temperature quickly and be uncomfortable.
 
I used lactated ringers from the vet. Ask for thin-walled needles if they have them. I stuck Bob in the scruff/shoulder area.
carl
 
HI Chloe - my cat Sitka has CKD and Diabetes. I administer fluids in the opposite shoulder I inject insulin in - so if I inject insulin on the left side then I do fluids on the right. I use 18 guage needles (I found that 20 guage are too slow - Sitka's done with her treat before half the fluids are in) and I fill a pot with hot tap water and put the bag in there for about 20-30 minutes to warm up. I was advised NOT to microwave fluids because the plastic bag can melt. The main thing is giving your cat a treat while administering fluids - you don't want the cat moving around or pulling the needle out. I buy my needles online and lactated ringers are cheaper online too. How much fluids to give really depends on your cats level of kidney disease. At first I was only doing fluids every three days but then as Sitka's kidneys got worse that was increased to every night. Definitely consult your vet on how much fluid and how often. The vet assistant can also go over administering subq's so you are comfortable with doing it. Its not much more work then testing and insulin every night. The most important thing is having a treat so your cat doesn't pay attention to what your doing with the needle. Jan
 
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