Will and IV cause swollen paw?

Otis is home from the vet for the night (I have to take him back in tomorrow) so they left the IV needle in his arm with it bandaged up. When I first got him home I noticed that his paw was swollen but I assumed it was from the fluids. That was about 5 hours ago and his paw is still big. The pads on his paw aren't swollen and neither are his claws but his 'pinky toe' is red around the nail. I don't want to take out the IV needle because I don't want to mess anything up but I also don't think he needs emergency care. Any thoughts?

I don't about cats, but when I had my second child I got a "bad" IV and the fluids leaked into my hand. It looked like I had a mitt instead of a hand for a week, so maybe it will just take some more time if this is what has happened to your baby. Maybe call the vet to see if this is common...

When that happened was there anything they said for you to do or just to give it some time? He received fluids for about 24 hours so he is hydrated but I was thinking maybe the fluid collected in his paw because it's the lowest part in his body?

it could be the fluid in the paw but if that's the case they need to re set the IV needle. i'm shocked they sent the cat home with the needle in. that's really risky...

well it seems that somebody at the vets office wasnt paying attention to his IV well enough. Paws swell above IV sites when they have blown the vein and fluids are just being administered into his body, gravity works and it settles in the paw. Swelling above an IV site usually happens either with a blown vein or the animal has recieved to much fluids to fast. Hes fine just the IV is no longer good to use and if they need to get into a vein they will have to stick him again. As for sending him home with IV in,if the clinic does not have people there over night and the possibilities of him needing emergency care later in the night does happen they have direct access to his vein. I would call the vet or an emergency vet and see what they say to do bout it. If it was my cat I would personally remove the IV myself. (remember i do work in a vets office) He'll be fine either way.

Originally Posted by lizch6699

Otis is home from the vet for the night (I have to take him back in tomorrow) so they left the IV needle in his arm with it bandaged up. When I first got him home I noticed that his paw was swollen but I assumed it was from the fluids. That was about 5 hours ago and his paw is still big. The pads on his paw aren't swollen and neither are his claws but his 'pinky toe' is red around the nail. I don't want to take out the IV needle because I don't want to mess anything up but I also don't think he needs emergency care. Any thoughts?

Click to expand...

Check to make sure the bandage isn't too tight.

I ended up taking him into the emergency care clinic and they removed the catherter. They said that the bandage was on too tight so poor otis had to have another one put into his other arm this morning

aww bless him poor lil guy!!! hope he feels better soon.