Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[mrsgreenjeens]

Sally

Do you have to give Sub-Q fluids to Sven?

Mark

Yes, we just started it up again.  Giving him sub-qs 3 times a week.  Just recently increased that (was once weekly, if that)

[kb2zct]

Sally:

OK.  Thanks.  I apologize if you mentioned that before, but every now and then I get mixed up on what cat has what condition.

I did sub-Q fluids for Evan for about 1 3/4 years.  He was on 150ml per day, so I went through a bag once a week. 

I found a really good place on line to order fluids, lines and needles - which made the overall process much less expensive for me. 

Evan, after the first month, was very good about his fluids.  I was able to give them to him by myself.

Mark

[mrsgreenjeens]

Sven is NOT good about getting his fluids.  He just won't settle down and relax  .  He insists on standing (unless, naturally, he's getting it done during a Vet visit, then he's a perfect patient), so it takes both of us to do it.  Hubby, former nurse, does the jab and holds him in place while I get the fluids started and squeeze the bag to get it in as fast as possible.  150 ml each time also.  I just wish he wouldn't fight it so.  Usually by the end, only his back legs are still on the table because he's trying so hard to escape that hubby half holds him.  Oh well, we keep telling ourselves, and him, that it's for his wellbeing, but I don't think he believes us anymore.

[kb2zct]

One question - do you heat the fluids up to body temp before giving it to him?

That is one thing that made it much more comfortable for Evan - when I started to warm the fluids before administering it. 

I used an infrared "device"r to determine the temp of the fluid, and I tried to gear it for 102.5 - which is about normal cat body temp.

Mark

[galensgranny]

Sally, are you using a finer gauge needle?  The ones the my vet used and gave us for Galen (when he had acute kidney failure but is now cured) were 18 gauge Monoject brand "harpoons"!  We researched and got Terumo 2O gauge needles instead.  The Terumo needles have thinner walls so a 20 gauge Terumo can give almost as fast a flow as an 18 gauge Monoject.  The Terumo needles went in easier.  If you don't use Terumo 20 (or 19) gauge thin wall needles, I recommend that you try them.  Things might go easier on Sven.

Here is a good site about the differences between Monoject and Terumo thin wall needles:
http://www.zzcat.com/CRF/supplies/AboutNeedles.htm

I ordered the Terumo needles from Lambriar Vet Supply.  I didn't need a prescription in my state for the needles.  California, Connecticut, Delaware, New Hampshire, New Jersey and New York require a prescription for needles.  You can get 100 needles for a bit over $5.00.

He also might not like the feel of the fluids going too fast with you squeezing the bag.  I'd not do that. His body needs some time for the fluids to spread out, and if you squeeze them in too fast, the fluids will make a pressing feeling inside under the skin before it has a chance to spread out more under the skin.  Aside from it maybe feeling more uncomfortable with the fluids going in faster, I'd worry about air bubbles forming which would also probably feel uncomfortable. 

Do you warm the fluids before administering them?  Many cats feel better about the fluids going in if the fluids are warmed.  The safest way is to fill a bowl or pot full of hot tap water, then set the fluid bag in it for a short while.  Of course, you would always squirt some on your wrist first, to make sure the fluids are warm, not hot.

We always gave Galen a treat just before he started the fluids but while in "ready to receive fluids" captured and held position, to try to make getting the fluids have something good.  Not he ever thought getting fluids were good, but he did like getting the treat.  We used to also give a treat after the fluids were over, but that turned out making him want to break away to get it over with so he could get his treat faster. So no treats right after getting fluids.

I don't see a problem with Sven standing while receiving the fluids, as long as you hold him in place so he can't trot off.

Sometimes a cat doesn't need the full amount of fluids that particular day, so if you get close to the amount the vet said, but Sven is really fighting to get away, let him go.  It really isn't going to make a lot of difference if one day you get 130 ml in him instead of all 150 ml.

[animalangel1]

Sally - I have some 19 gauge (1 inch long) Terumo needles I can send to you if you'd like to try them before you buy them.  I actually have about 150 of them "on hand" since I had just ordered them when it was determined that Leo no longer needed fluids.  I can send you a handful of them to try..... just email me your address and I'll get them out to you pronto! 

The ones I got from the vet were also harpoons.  I think they use the larger needles in order to get the fluids in faster.  Leo "preferred" the ones I have here (as much as one CAN prefer a needle) (the 19g) to the ones from the vet....

I also warmed the fluids - check them on the inside of your wrist like you would a baby bottle of fluids for your baby.  AND, I also bought an IV pole with wheels to use to give the fluids and it was an amazing help!!!! Like having a third arm!

[mrsgreenjeens]

Thanks, all.  We DO warm the fluids, think we are using the larger needles for quicker flow (green caps...would that be 18 gauge?), the Vet suggested we squeeze the bag, but maybe we should just try letting it flow naturally and see how he acts, and when he really starts trying to get away, we "unplug" him  and let him go.  As far as treats, it's like pulling teeth to get him to eat anytime,  so giving him treats beforehand doesn't work, and although he used to eat them afterwards, he doesn't do that anymore.  As a matter of fact, I can't remember the last time he ate treats, although I offer them to him everyday.  Unfortunately, though, it usually makes him get up and walk away  .  But on the brighter side, sometimes, it makes him walk over to his food dish and nibble there  .  Can't figure him out.  Oh...and I always clear the tubing of air before we start the fluids to make sure there isn't air in the line and to make sure we have good flow.

Michelle, I'll email you my address.  That would be great if you send us some of those needles.  If they work well, then we'll order some from that site Margaret recommended. 

Once again, thanks everyone.  All suggestions are welcome.