Giving sub-q fluids at home

Just wondering if anyone has any advice about this.  My 21-year-old cat, Morgan, was prescribed weekly fluid treatment (100 ml) when the vet found she was dehydrated.  She had one treatment at the vets, and we have given her one treatment so far.  The vet said she shouldn't be in any pain during the treatment, but both times she has cried out and squirmed like she is in pain or at least very uncomfortable. 

Is this reaction typical when giving sub-q fluids?  Is there any way to make the process less uncomfortable and stressful for her?  Any advice or tips would be appreciated!

Hi! 

I always warm it a little bit, not in the microwave but in a "bain marie" and they like it better like this. Are you doing it in the back of his neck where the vet usually shows us where to do it ? cause sometimes if you try in other part of the body it might hurt  him.

Good Luck

R

Yes, it is proper this fluid is at body temp. Here, cat body temp, some degree more than the humans. Makes it a lot more comfortable.

But. The problem is she gets too little water?   Ie she drinks too little on  her own??

So if you can give enough water orally she shouldnt not need these subcutans?

What are you using now?  How do you organize her water access?

Water fountain would be a tip. May work even better than force feeding.

Memory arise.

I know a breeder. Their mother queen got sick, and among others, lost totally appetite for drinking. So they force feed her water.  One held her, the other gave her the water.  When held this way, she accepted without struggle. They kept her this way alive at least two years.  Later on they discovered water fountains, and tried it out. And had you seen?  She did accepted it.  The last year of her life she didnt need no force feeding of water, she did drank herself from the water fountain...

Just make sure you are "tenting" up the skin when you insert that needle - just under the skin only. I am sure the vet showed you how to correctly place the needle :nod: But if it is in wrong, then it could be very painful. Ask you vet about Pedialyte also - once weekly. This you could syringe into her mouth. Just the plain Pedialyte and once or twice weekly. Check with vet first - but this might help your kitty too.

She is probably not in pain, if you are inserting the needle in her scruff, but she may, indeed, be restless with the process.  We give our Sven sub-qs every other day (150 mls), and he is always restless and squirmy!  It's never something we look forward to, but we tell ourselves (and him), and we're not hurting him, we're helping him, and once we get thru, we set him down and he's good to go!    The only time we stop short of the 150 ml is if he starts yowling, and the last time that happened is because he needed to use the litter box .

Anyway, warming the fluids is very helpful (in a pan of hot water, not the microwave...I actually heat a bowl of water in the microwave, then set the bag in the bowl of water), and some people actually feed their cats while giving fluids to keep them busy!  Since there are two of here to do it, hubby holds the needle in place while I stroke Sven all about his head and under his chin to try to keep him from getting too restless.  Some people wrap their kitties up into a kitty burrito with a towel and others use a cat bag so they can't go anywhere, and it probably makes the cats feel safe.

With time, most cats just get used to it and "go with the flow" no pun intended.  (my Sven being the exception to the rule!)

Along with warming the fluids (I put the fluids and line in a large ziploc bag and immerse the whole thing in a sink of warm water for several minutes), you might want to change the size of the needles you're using. Most vets only give you big harpoon 18g needles. You can get some much nicer 20g Terumo Ultra Thin Wall needles. If you put them in the freezer for a little while before using them, they might hurt a little less going in. I also rub the spot I plan to inject fluids into with an ice cube in a baggie to numb the area a bit first.

And if Morgan doesn't like to sit still for the full 100ml (is that just once a week?) what about dividing the amount into 2 sessions of 50ml?

Does Morgan have renal issues? If so, is she getting any other treatment for it (ie medications, supplements, diet change)?

I too was going to mention using the Terumo needles, I use the ultra thin ones, and with rachel <RB>, was up to giving her fluids (50 cc) twice a day, and she tolerated it well.

The warming of the fluids, using a Terumo needle, and making it a treat time, if you can, has worked well for me with the kitties I've had to give fluids to for long term. Also making sure to insert the needle with the beveled side up, using the area your vet will have shown you between her shoulder blades.
 I have a cup holder on the side of a kitchen cabinet..I put a soft folded up towel on the counter, put out some favorite food or treat, and let them nosh while the fluids drip in.

Best wishes to you..have to be honest, 100 cc once a week seems like a very low amount!  But then, my kitties receiving fluids had a diagnosis of renal issues...so the least I was doing was every 2-3 days.

I just have to post this.  Ever since I mentioned that my Sven is NOT very good about getting his fluids, he's been a complete angel !  I guess he didn't like me "dissing" him that way on the internet .  Oh, and we use the Terumo needles too.  I think we use 19 gauge.  As I mentioned, we give 150 ml every other day, but he has kidney problems.