Is Lactated Ringer's solution ok for cat with liver problems?

mej_1

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I've been doing some research on liver problems and sub-Q therapy. Some information seems to suggest that cats with liver problems should not receive lactated ringer's solution. Does anyone know anything about this? A lot of the stuff I read goes way over my head. This stuff was given to my cat at the vet's office but the vet did not administer it or have anything to do with choosing which kind of fluids to give. I believe the decision was made by an assistant.
 

natalie_ca

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You should check with a veterinarian for a concrete answer. My comments are not meant to take the place of that of a veterinarian.

However, for human beings, it should not be given to people with liver disease because the liver can't metabolize one of the byproducts of the Ringer's Lactate solution.
 
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mej_1

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The vet is supposed to call me today. But, I should have mentioned that my cat has a tumor that is affecting the liver. The liver values weren't that bad about 1 month ago. However, the cat is now becoming jaundiced because he won't eat. He's only getting worse and the tumor is getting bigger. So I'm not sure if I should just go ahead and euthanize him on Friday (tomorrow) or try the fluids one more time (the next dose is on Friday) and euthanize him Saturday if there's no significant improvement.

I think my gut is telling me to just euthanize him. But my brain is telling me that since I just spent $26 on a sub-Q fluids home pack and only used it once, I should try giving fluids again (to get my money's worth). That's how I was raised (that money is more important than the health and life of an animal). So it's hard to make the right decisions sometimes because I'm always thinking about money when I shouldn't be.
 
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