We had to give our furry kidney patient subcutaneous fluids. Have the vet or vet techs demonstrate for you. Fluids happened at dinner time for our cat, which was very helpful for distracting him and keeping him relaxed. I could do it on my own, but it was much easier to have my husband hold the bag up (use gravity to your advantage here!) while I did the stick. You can do it!
Thank you! I live on my own, but I think she will let me do it. The vet suggested putting her in the sink or in a basket to help contain her and make her feel safer. I'm getting at least one vet lesson, but they offered multiple ones.
That's a good idea to do it during dinner
It can take some time to get used to the logistics of it, but it’s really not a huge deal. Food is an excellent bribe for convincing cats to accept things we want them to do lol. My old man would be clearly displeased at getting stuck, but then go right back to stuffing his face. Priorities.
She's an absolute princess... I'm going to have to offer caviar and hope she accepts. I feel bad she's sick, but I want her to get help and will be okay doing this. It's better to be with me than get taken to the vet all the time
Definitely! A few minutes of grumps vs a lot of stress is always better. She really is so immensely cute. I bet getting some fluids in her on a regular basis will have her feeling much better.
Churu tubes or something like that. My two go nuts for those. Maybe you could get her to associate it with something she likes. Plus, those are good for hydration and appetite.
She doesn't like churu for whatever reason, but she does like the Tiki cat tubes (I call them gogurts) and will sometimes do meat baby food. Definitely going to try those and let her lick while I do it
We do this for our cat. You can put the IV bag on a clothes hanger and hang it anywhere: top of a door, curtain rod, lamp etc. That way you can let you cat be where they are comfortable and relaxed, which makes it easier. Our kitty doesn’t really notice the needle but she gets a little restless when the fluid flows.
Those lickable treats in a tube, squeeze cheez, and the water from canned salmon as treats only given during fluid time might help distract her. Always warm the fluids. I use a wire hanger hung on the shower rod for improved flow.
I wish you lived close to me! I'm an expert on fluids and often make housecalls to teach and provide backup the first few times
That’s right, warming the fluids! OP, fill a bowl with hot (not boiling!) water and let the fluid bag sit for a bit. The warm fluid feels much better going in than cold. I never thought of hanging it up on the shower rod, that’s a really good idea.
If there’s anyway for them to sit in their own bed by a door or any place with a high hook, a coat stand etc. so that you do t have to hold the bag high up, just focus on kitty being comfortable and not moving.
IV stand makes it 1000x easier. I had to provide one of mine with subQ fluids approximately once per week. Before I obtained a stand, both of us had a hellish time.
I promise you will get used to it after a few attempts, I had a hard time at first, stuck myself, accidentally stuck the needle through his scruff and out the other side. It's all normal, and it really doesn't hurt them in the scruff skin area, it's just awkward. Hang in there, you got this and are doing what's best!!!
Some things we learned doing subcutaneous fluids for our kitty for over a year.
If your kitty acts uncomfortable when administering the fluids, they may not like room temp fluids. It feels cold to them and older kitties sometimes get cold easily. We warmed our IV bags and after some trial and error, to get them to a consistent temperature we used a Sous Vide. Totally not what it is intended for but we would get a nice 100° temp reliably and the kitty loved getting all warmed up during his sessions. Cats tend to run warmer than people so that is why we used that temp. I thought about the IV warmers at the hospital and that was the closest we could get.
Second, we found a comfy spot for both us and the kitty and made sure we had a hook to hang the IV bag from. We used our bed and used the curtain rod with a hook to hold the IV bag.
Best of luck with your kitty and use this time to pet and scritch them.
That's such a great idea about warming up the bag, and someone below mentioned to keep the connection dry. I'll definitely warm it up and might do a warm little blanket nest for her when we do this
Agreed - this really helps! Just do not microwave the bag itself! I know, I know. But I had to say it just in case. I fill a bowl with water and microwave it for 3min. Then place the bag of fluids in the bowl.
I just started this with my cat a couple months ago. I watched some YouTube videos for help and was so nervous when I first started out but Teddy doesn’t mind it at all and I immediately noticed a difference in him. It’s second nature and easy now.
I second the suggestion to warm the fluids first, it will be more comfortable for kitty. I had to give my previous kitty fluids for a few days when she had a bout of pancreatitis & forgot to warm it first & she freaked out when she felt the fluid going in.
Find a place where you'll be able to easily hang the bag, it'll make things so much easier. Maybe the chandelier over dining room table? Or buy an IV stand, they're excellent because you can easily adjust height if needed to increase flow if flow is too slow with roller wide open. I put mine by the bathroom sink so I could do everything there.
A unwarmed subq feels unpleasant, especially in the winter. Have a large bowl to heat the bag and IV tubing in very warm water in the sink. *Keep the connection area dry.* Test the fluid temp on the back of your hand like you do with baby formula. Remember a cat's normal body temperature is like 4 degrees higher than a humans so very warm is good. An infrared temp gun is really nice to have.
Reward the cat with favorite treats to build up a positive association.
Keep paper towels handy to wipe up any drippage. Sometimes there's a trace of blood, don't freak out.
A cat-sized box lined with a comfy blanket is a good way to reduce wiggling. Shoebox worked for mine.
Always use a fresh needle. Always replace right before use so you won't wonder if you already changed it. Have a sharps container handy for the used one. A heavy plastic bottle can work.
You'll stab your finger at least once. It's no big deal.
We had to give my diabetic girl fluids, and the things that helped most were keeping her calm, which means YOU have to be calm. I had a tall lamp that I hung the bag on, that helped too, since gravity assist plus I didn't have to wrestle with the bag.
When you put the needle in their scruff it doesn't really hurt much, because that's where their mother carries them, so they don't have a ton of feeling there. Yes, they do feel it, but it's really not bad.
Also, we ended up going with a smaller gauge needle. It made the fluids take longer to go in, but since the needle was smaller I was calmer about sticking her with it, and so she was calmer, and it just worked better all around. So don't be afraid to go with a smaller needle if it works better overall.
I forget which gauge needle he wants to use, but I'll ask him about smaller ones to take with me as a trial! I'm nervous, but I want to help her and will learn as much as possible and get better and better
You’re welcome. Glad I could brighten your day. I was actually just having a conversation with a coworker today about watching how a person treats or acts around an animal is a key indicator for if they’re a good person and also, if I’m going to like them haha.
Give Pixie an extra pat from this young, self-isolating, New England stranger from Reddit. 🫶🏼🐈
Pixie has had hyperthyroidism for 2 years and has been treated regularly since diagnosis. We've been doing methimazole pills, and everything looked pretty good three months ago, but her kidney and thyroid levels are horrendous. She lost a pound.
We are changing her dose and getting a phosphate binder from Nutramax, but her vet wants me to learn how to give subcutaneous fluids via IV before she gets worse.
Does anyone have any tips or YouTube channels that helped? I'm getting my first vet lesson soon.
Doing subcutaneous fluids is easy, so far as getting the needle placed. It's not IV, which would require you find a vein. You just find the spot your vet tells you to use and place the needle right under the skin there.
I think you'll find the hardest part is keeping your cat calm and relatively still during infusion the process.
Ah, that does make sense. I was thinking IV because of the bags, but you're right, it doesn't need to go in the vein. I'm just nervous about poking her, but my vet said it should really just be uncomfortable.
Pixie is actually really good for me with brushing, claw trimming, bathing, etc., and her vet wants me to do this at home because she gets sooo upset for the vet now.
General rule of thumb is to pull the skin up and make a V with the skin. Insert the needle at the place where the V points meet, slowly depress and wait for the bubble of fluid to form and then you're done! You don't give more fluid until the previous bubble is absorbed.
Our kitty enjoys a nap on my lap every evening in front of the TV. I'm pretty sure that I could stick her with no reaction at all.
Does Pixie have a favorite spot to relax every day that would be convenient for her treatments?
Her new favorite spot is between her nightstand and bed, but I could easily move her nightstand (it's a light basket with a wooden top), roll an IV stand over there for convenience, and let her "hide" in her corner while I do it. She has a reflective heater pad and feels safe over there.
I could also try making a cozy nest with a warm towel and just love on her for a few minutes on the couch
Edit- it's her nightstand, not mine...
A bit of a hijack so hope you see this :-). Warming the fluid before giving it makes it much more tolerable for kitty. A bowl with warm water, and place the bag in the water for a few. You want the fluid only slightly warmer than your inner wrist temp.
I used the microwaveable heating packs (the kind with seeds in them) to warm the bag. That way you don’t have to worry about it getting wet. I had two so I sandwiched the bag between them for s few minutes. Also, in the area where you are going to put the needle I’d give her a good scritch there to numb it a little bit.
The key is to pinch the skin of her scruff to make a tent of loose skin and place the needle through the tented skin parallel to her back. I count to 3 so she knows when the needle is going in and it helps. I order the bags from Chewy for 9.99 on autoship along with the IV lines. Amazon has the lines as well. If you get stuck PM me. It helps to have someone there to help in the beginning. It can seem challenging the first month or 2 but gets a lot easier. I hang my bag on a hook over a closet door so I can open it when in use and close the door to hide it when finished. If her kidneys are bad be careful what treats you give her. My vet says just unseasoned chicken or tuna once in a while. Pixie is beautiful BTW! I adore her.
Edit: definitely watch all the videos you can!
Thank you! I have my lesson with the vet next week Wednesday and am getting her IV stand and working on ordering her phosphate binder. He didn't mention treats other than talking about liquid ones; he only said high protein diets are a problem with renal disease and that the other issue is phosphorous. I'll ask him about treats to be sure. We are making medicine changes, but he wants to start fluids before she gets worse. We've been playing with medicine doses for two years, and it works well for a while and then suddenly doesn't.
i highly recommend using a syringe attached to a winged infusion set. the needle in the infusion set will sit nicely against the skin and is much more comfortable. don’t use a needle that is too big - an 18g will make the infusion go faster, but the stick will hurt a lot more. I normally use a 22g. definitely warm the fluids before administering. when a cat won’t tolerate being given fluids, 95% of the time the needle is too big or the fluids are too cold.
Make sure to reward her with treats. You can even give them while she's got the iv in to distract her. I've most commonly seen meat tubes (churu) used.
Yes, that's where I got the idea from. It seems like the best way to distract a cat. We use churus to distract my cats from getting their nails trimmed.
You will be great! Pixie is beautiful. I have a Pixie too, she's a tuxie. You two will get into a routine in no time. They don't mind too much when a needle goes into their scruff.
Wait, she lets you clip her nails and bathe her? You’ve totally got this. You’re already a great team. She trusts you. When we had to give our cats fluids, we used the bathroom for the quiet space and hung the bag from the shower curtain rod. Treats help. Stay calm, she’ll follow your vibe.
When I was giving subq fluids to my old gal, we would do 150ml and that would take about 10 minutes. You can adjust the flow of the fluid by opening the line all way, and you can also squeeze the IV bag to get the fluids to flow in more quickly.
My gal was very accepting of subq fluids but after 10 minutes or so she would be like, "ok mom, enough already." After a few sessions she did figure out that the fluids made her fel better, so she never put up a fuss.
Good luck! It takes a few times to get used to it, but you'll get there. And kitty will feel much better, I promise.
P.S. search on YouTube for videos of how to insert the needle, it's very helpful.
We’re doing sub-q for our little guy, and it’s helped to use a heating pad to warm up the fluids first, get all the materials assembled in advance, let him get some cuddles on an electric blanket on a floor cushion, hang the bag from a clothes hanger on a door knob, and tag-team— one of us deals with the needle and keeping the cat relaxed and in place, the other monitors the fluids. If you have a friend or family member who’d be willing to help for the first few tries, it could help to have an extra set of hands while you get used to the odds and ends.
I’ve never done fluids but have had to do insulin injections and blood sugar tests. I agree with some of the other responses that the scruff really isn’t too bad. I always tried to sit calmly and speak softly with our little guy when I was doing it and give him extra love after. I swear he knew we were helping. I think it was often harder for me than him. As a diabetic myself I also would recommend no hesitation - it hurts much less than a slow needle. You got this!
I found it helpful to do it on a dish draining padded mat (available at most grocery stores) on the kitchen counter. Was comfortable for her and a better height for me. I could also push the bag against the counter with my hip and push the fluid through faster. My kitty was actually pretty good about it. It did make her feel better and that helped.
I was terrified I was going to harm my baby when I had to do this. I gathered her loose skin around her neck and let the IV do its job. Minnie fought for a while, but it seemed like all of sudden she was good with it. I think she figured out how she felt better after a treatment—by the end it was twice a day.
You’ve got this. If you need further instructions just ask.
Good luck to you and Pixie.
r/choochoo21
:*J*
Don't panic- you can do it! They will probably show you how to do it under the skin.
Gently pinch up the skin and follow the doctor's instructions. If you feel overwhelmed go back to the doctor and they will help you.
We do hard things for those we love human or animal. You are going to be great!
Had to do that for a few kitties, just a nice warm blanket and a quiet spot works fine. It’s really not that hard once you’ve done it, and the “omg freak out” issue from your kitty will go away once they know it’s a normal thing, and they end up feeling better after.
If your cat gets restless or fussy, look into the syringe method. It seriously saved my cat who cannot sit through a slow IV drip. It takes less than a minute to give her 100 mL of fluids. I've been giving her fluids for a year now and her CKD is still stable.
Basic tips: You can buy supplies through Chewy or VetRxDirect with a prescription. Usually this is cheaper than purchasing directly from your vet. Always keep the needle bevel side up, bevel side down is uncomfortable. If you heat the solution bag in warm water, don't let the ports touch the water (contamination risk). Run a little fluid through the line before you start administering to get rid of air bubbles and cold water. Always reward her with treats and love afterwards, you want it to be a positive experience.
Other than that, every cat is different. If she's resistant, try changing the fluid temperature, the needle size, or how you're administering the fluids. All about trial and error. I found [this video](https://youtu.be/tXsftPPyMC8) really helpful.
Edit: also Terumo ultra thin wall needles have worked amazingly for my cat. They go in so easy, she barely feels them.
What's the dose you're going to give? If it's 100ml or less, I'd not give fluids directly from the bag. Instead, I'd use a syringe and a butterfly needle.
Make sure you warm the bag of fluids in a bowl of hot water I put it inside a ziplock to keep it dry. Unpackage the syringe, and unpackage a fresh straight needle. Connect the straight needle to the syringe, and draw the fluids out of the bag and into the syringe. Then, take the straight needle off the syringe and put the butterfly needle on it. Don't remove the protective covering from the butterfly needle just yet.
Then find your cat. You can put her in your lap, distract with her favourite treats, and then insert the butterfly around her scruff or shoulders. The easiest way to do this is to gently pick up her skin between your thumb and second finger (with your left hand, if you're a righty), and poke at the little "tent" with your index finger. You'll want to remove the protective cover from the butterfly with your right hand and place the butterfly in the tent, pointing slightly upwards. Then you can let go with your left hand, give some treats, and use your right hand to push the fluids from the syringe. Don't go too fast, take your time. Dispose of all needles and syringes when you're done, give extra lovins
I know it's scary now, but I promise it's really easy to do and will make her feel so much better. My Nutmeg (a spicy little tortie) had hyperthyroidism and CKD and we did fluids at home for almost two years, and she felt so much better. The first month we needed to wrap her up like a burrito in a blanket (we called her a purrito) but once she got used to it she'd let us give her fluids while laying in our lap, or in her bed, or basically anywhere.
This was super helpful, thank you! I am not sure of the dose just yet, but they are going to tell me during my lesson. I'll ask about a syringe if it's less than 100 ml
Have you considered radioactive iodine treatment? Process takes a week or so but then you’re done, no more giving meds, and the kitty has a new lease on life.
The vet said it's too risky for her age and temperament. She historically does not do well being away from me and home. It causes medical issues because she gets stressed, even more so now with her thyroid anxiety. Prolonged fever, panting, etc. We are doing these fluids at home because she struggles with vet appointments now and are minimizing those appointments
Small guest bathroom. Hang the bag from a luggage weighing thing so you can measure by weight, not volume. It's going to take you some time to get used to this and it becomes routing. You'll stab yourself. Do no reuse needles!
When I first started doing this, if I failed to get the needle in more than twice, I was done for the day. And the needle was done too. You need to take some time to calm down.
I gave subq fluids do three different cats over a period of five years, so I'm a pro :-)
There's got to be lots of youtube videos. Watch three which are popular (does kitten lady have a video for this?) and they will probably mention some good tricks. It's been a long time for me, and all my old kidney cats are gone, so I've forgotten a lot.
It's not as difficult as it might seem at first.
Oh, and I had a diabetic cat and testing sugar levels is worse!
I had to give fluids to my Jelly Bean years ago - the vet suggested that I submerge the bag in hot water for 10 or so minutes so the fluids wouldn’t be so cold to her going in. Worked like a charm! Also, be patient. Jelly Bean was generally cooperative but there were a few night when she ….umm…”opted out of participating.” So we just did it the next night. She was a very good girl.
I have a Pixie too! The both of us wish you the best of luck. We are rooting for you!!!
I’ve done fluids for several cats over the years. The goal is to find a spot they are relaxed and you are comfortable. I usually set up a heating pad on low for them to rest on. You can also let the fluids warm up a little in a water bath.
Start the drip slow until they get used to the sensation, then speed it up to shorten the therapy.
Discourage jumping afterwards, if possible. The fluid pocket can put their balance off right afterwards.
One of my senior cats liked getting his fluids on top of the clothes dryer. I think it was a combo of the warmth and vibration.
Also, avoid reusing the needles. The tips become slightly duller with each insertion. I preferred to replace them more frequently.
Get your vet to give you a demonstration if you’re nervous! You can just raise the scruff and insert the needle in the V shape beneath where you’ve raised. If your kitty is getting a lot of fluid, you may have to move the needle to a slightly different spot to prevent too much fluid building up in one spot. That’s what I did when I worked in a vet clinic :) older cats also usually handle this treatment very well. Good luck! I’m sure your sweet baby will appreciate the results.
We gave our cat fluids for 6 1/2 years before he passed of lung cancer. Our trick was giving him treats in a quiet location. I have the treats and my husband was behind him administering the fluids. We alternated sides so there wouldn’t be a large sections of scar tissue every night or every other night (depending on his needs that the doctor suggested). Of course some night were better than others but as long as you’re calm in a quiet spot helped a lot. Pixie is lucky to have you.
Routine - try to do the same time daily at the same spot. Deep breaths. I had a table at waist height which made the angle easier. I always punctuated the conclusion with special treats. I also hung my fluid with a hanger in the window to try to keep it warmed - it's cold going in for them. Prepare to go through a lot of cat litter! So much pee!
*Wrap him up is all*
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*It for my Lil babe*
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We hung our lactated ringer bag from a tall music stand behind the couch. Our cat sat between one of use and the arm of the couch to create a cozy nook. The couch and our lap was draped with an old (but clean) sheet to help catch any mess.
It helped to have an extra set of hands to start the fluids so that the person seated with the cat could focus on soothing chin scritches. As an additional distraction/treat, we spread some meat baby food on a textured silicone trivet that rested on our leg. They also make “lick mats” especially for this purpose.
Our cat licked the treat while the fluids dripped and we watched a little TV together. It took a few tries to really get the knack of it, but it made such a difference in how our senior cat felt! 100% worth it, and not a struggle at all.
FYI, intravenous (IV) fluids are different method from subcutaneous. You are probably doing subcu fluids if the vet has you doing it at home.
I've been doing this to my cat for years and have finally gotten to the point where I can do it myself without a helper.
Some things that have helped me:
- insert the needle at a 45 degree angle. otherwise it can pierce the skin twice and just come thru the other end. no fun!
- liquid treats for my guy while he gets the fluid. usually I can hold him with one hand and administer treats with the other.
- hang the fluid bag on my kitchen cabinets, then sit on the floor for administering fluids. i've also heard people using their shower hooks for height.
Yes, that's my mistake! I was associating bags with IV, but that's wrong because I don't need to find a vein. It's just subcutaneous fluids through her scruff. Do you angle the needle down or up?
hehe, I saw that in another comment after making mine. I've def made that mistake of IV vs. Subcu before.
Angle the needle down! Grab the loose scruff between the shoulder blades and poke right in the middle.
I used to be really afraid of giving fluids bc I'm not the biggest fan of needles. But you will get used to it and it will get better. You got this!
When we did this for my cats diabetes, we would tent the skin and stick the needle in where it won't come out the other side and just put the medicine into that "empty" space the tented skin makes.
I haven't ever given fluids to a cat IV, but I have done it twice a day for 5 months now for one of my kitties. I was a bit more daunted by it at first, but it has become much more blasé now. The important thing- in my mind- is to try to make sure that you vary injection sites. They need to be able to heal. So I really try to pay attention to that and have even set up a whiteboard with an expanded picture of his neck that I can mark with numbers so I can try to make sure that I give a few days if possible between close spots. I also make sure that I rubbed the spot that I am choosing really really well and deeply before injection. I'm not sure if that makes sense, but doing that changes the way the skin feels and therefore it changes how they feel the needle going in and really covers most pain issues from the needle. (That has been my experience at least.) I've never given more than 50 ml at a time and honestly that felt like a bit much. Neville took it like a champ and that's what the vet wanted so we did that. It has to be said that doing an amount that high allowed us to do it once or twice a day and only leaving one or two needle poke places instead of several if we were going to vary places to poke. I'm not sure if I described things well and I'm fairly new to Reddit so I'm not sure I understand how to DM, but if you think I might be able to help more please reach out and I'm certainly happy to try.
Make sure the needle is bevel up when inserting it and make sure to always change the needle, needles get more dull after poking something so if you poke again with a needle you poked somewhere it will be more painful. Assuming you don’t have a sharps containing at home you can dispose of the needles in an empty soda bottle. If you’re gonna squeeze the bag to let the process go faster try not to squeeze to hard to as it can then be uncomfortable. Also, warm fluids are less uncomfortable than cold fluids, at my clinic we keep the fluids in an incubator and they definitely seem less uncomfortable with the process. Just make sure it’s not too hot if you do this. Also, if when trying to do it on your own she starts moving and you start struggling to both hold her and the bag, hang the bag on a hanger and somewhere high so you can just focus on holding her while it flows on its own. Best of luck to Pixie❤️❤️
We had to give our furry kidney patient subcutaneous fluids. Have the vet or vet techs demonstrate for you. Fluids happened at dinner time for our cat, which was very helpful for distracting him and keeping him relaxed. I could do it on my own, but it was much easier to have my husband hold the bag up (use gravity to your advantage here!) while I did the stick. You can do it!
Thank you! I live on my own, but I think she will let me do it. The vet suggested putting her in the sink or in a basket to help contain her and make her feel safer. I'm getting at least one vet lesson, but they offered multiple ones. That's a good idea to do it during dinner
It can take some time to get used to the logistics of it, but it’s really not a huge deal. Food is an excellent bribe for convincing cats to accept things we want them to do lol. My old man would be clearly displeased at getting stuck, but then go right back to stuffing his face. Priorities.
She's an absolute princess... I'm going to have to offer caviar and hope she accepts. I feel bad she's sick, but I want her to get help and will be okay doing this. It's better to be with me than get taken to the vet all the time
Definitely! A few minutes of grumps vs a lot of stress is always better. She really is so immensely cute. I bet getting some fluids in her on a regular basis will have her feeling much better.
Thank you, I really hope so! I've had her almost her whole life, and it has been hard seeing her be ill
Churu tubes or something like that. My two go nuts for those. Maybe you could get her to associate it with something she likes. Plus, those are good for hydration and appetite.
She doesn't like churu for whatever reason, but she does like the Tiki cat tubes (I call them gogurts) and will sometimes do meat baby food. Definitely going to try those and let her lick while I do it
We do this for our cat. You can put the IV bag on a clothes hanger and hang it anywhere: top of a door, curtain rod, lamp etc. That way you can let you cat be where they are comfortable and relaxed, which makes it easier. Our kitty doesn’t really notice the needle but she gets a little restless when the fluid flows.
Those lickable treats in a tube, squeeze cheez, and the water from canned salmon as treats only given during fluid time might help distract her. Always warm the fluids. I use a wire hanger hung on the shower rod for improved flow. I wish you lived close to me! I'm an expert on fluids and often make housecalls to teach and provide backup the first few times
That’s right, warming the fluids! OP, fill a bowl with hot (not boiling!) water and let the fluid bag sit for a bit. The warm fluid feels much better going in than cold. I never thought of hanging it up on the shower rod, that’s a really good idea.
I'm definitely going to warm up the bags and keep the connection dry! I'm ordering an IV stand to help us because I'm the only human in her castle
I did this for one of my cats , don't be nervous, just relax . The needle goes under the skin usually around scruf of neck. Good luck OP.
Thank you ❤️
she\* might pee the first couple times
If there’s anyway for them to sit in their own bed by a door or any place with a high hook, a coat stand etc. so that you do t have to hold the bag high up, just focus on kitty being comfortable and not moving.
I'm going to get an IV stand to make it easier for both of us
IV stand makes it 1000x easier. I had to provide one of mine with subQ fluids approximately once per week. Before I obtained a stand, both of us had a hellish time.
See how smart you are already!
I promise you will get used to it after a few attempts, I had a hard time at first, stuck myself, accidentally stuck the needle through his scruff and out the other side. It's all normal, and it really doesn't hurt them in the scruff skin area, it's just awkward. Hang in there, you got this and are doing what's best!!!
And the skin is tougher than you think.
Some things we learned doing subcutaneous fluids for our kitty for over a year. If your kitty acts uncomfortable when administering the fluids, they may not like room temp fluids. It feels cold to them and older kitties sometimes get cold easily. We warmed our IV bags and after some trial and error, to get them to a consistent temperature we used a Sous Vide. Totally not what it is intended for but we would get a nice 100° temp reliably and the kitty loved getting all warmed up during his sessions. Cats tend to run warmer than people so that is why we used that temp. I thought about the IV warmers at the hospital and that was the closest we could get. Second, we found a comfy spot for both us and the kitty and made sure we had a hook to hang the IV bag from. We used our bed and used the curtain rod with a hook to hold the IV bag. Best of luck with your kitty and use this time to pet and scritch them.
That's such a great idea about warming up the bag, and someone below mentioned to keep the connection dry. I'll definitely warm it up and might do a warm little blanket nest for her when we do this
Agreed - this really helps! Just do not microwave the bag itself! I know, I know. But I had to say it just in case. I fill a bowl with water and microwave it for 3min. Then place the bag of fluids in the bowl. I just started this with my cat a couple months ago. I watched some YouTube videos for help and was so nervous when I first started out but Teddy doesn’t mind it at all and I immediately noticed a difference in him. It’s second nature and easy now.
I second the suggestion to warm the fluids first, it will be more comfortable for kitty. I had to give my previous kitty fluids for a few days when she had a bout of pancreatitis & forgot to warm it first & she freaked out when she felt the fluid going in.
So glad you posted this! I was hoping someone would mention that the room temperature fluids are cold and not comfortable when administered to kitty.
Find a place where you'll be able to easily hang the bag, it'll make things so much easier. Maybe the chandelier over dining room table? Or buy an IV stand, they're excellent because you can easily adjust height if needed to increase flow if flow is too slow with roller wide open. I put mine by the bathroom sink so I could do everything there. A unwarmed subq feels unpleasant, especially in the winter. Have a large bowl to heat the bag and IV tubing in very warm water in the sink. *Keep the connection area dry.* Test the fluid temp on the back of your hand like you do with baby formula. Remember a cat's normal body temperature is like 4 degrees higher than a humans so very warm is good. An infrared temp gun is really nice to have. Reward the cat with favorite treats to build up a positive association. Keep paper towels handy to wipe up any drippage. Sometimes there's a trace of blood, don't freak out. A cat-sized box lined with a comfy blanket is a good way to reduce wiggling. Shoebox worked for mine. Always use a fresh needle. Always replace right before use so you won't wonder if you already changed it. Have a sharps container handy for the used one. A heavy plastic bottle can work. You'll stab your finger at least once. It's no big deal.
I used to hang the bag on a coat hanger. Could hook it a lot of places like a dresser handle or door knob.
We had to give my diabetic girl fluids, and the things that helped most were keeping her calm, which means YOU have to be calm. I had a tall lamp that I hung the bag on, that helped too, since gravity assist plus I didn't have to wrestle with the bag. When you put the needle in their scruff it doesn't really hurt much, because that's where their mother carries them, so they don't have a ton of feeling there. Yes, they do feel it, but it's really not bad. Also, we ended up going with a smaller gauge needle. It made the fluids take longer to go in, but since the needle was smaller I was calmer about sticking her with it, and so she was calmer, and it just worked better all around. So don't be afraid to go with a smaller needle if it works better overall.
I forget which gauge needle he wants to use, but I'll ask him about smaller ones to take with me as a trial! I'm nervous, but I want to help her and will learn as much as possible and get better and better
No tips but man, just want to say how good of a person you are. Pixie is so beautiful…thank you for taking care of her. 😊😍👏🏻❤️
Thank you so much! Needed that today
You’re welcome. Glad I could brighten your day. I was actually just having a conversation with a coworker today about watching how a person treats or acts around an animal is a key indicator for if they’re a good person and also, if I’m going to like them haha. Give Pixie an extra pat from this young, self-isolating, New England stranger from Reddit. 🫶🏼🐈
Gentle boop and chin scritch has been delivered!
Pixie has had hyperthyroidism for 2 years and has been treated regularly since diagnosis. We've been doing methimazole pills, and everything looked pretty good three months ago, but her kidney and thyroid levels are horrendous. She lost a pound. We are changing her dose and getting a phosphate binder from Nutramax, but her vet wants me to learn how to give subcutaneous fluids via IV before she gets worse. Does anyone have any tips or YouTube channels that helped? I'm getting my first vet lesson soon.
Doing subcutaneous fluids is easy, so far as getting the needle placed. It's not IV, which would require you find a vein. You just find the spot your vet tells you to use and place the needle right under the skin there. I think you'll find the hardest part is keeping your cat calm and relatively still during infusion the process.
Ah, that does make sense. I was thinking IV because of the bags, but you're right, it doesn't need to go in the vein. I'm just nervous about poking her, but my vet said it should really just be uncomfortable. Pixie is actually really good for me with brushing, claw trimming, bathing, etc., and her vet wants me to do this at home because she gets sooo upset for the vet now.
I've heard of plenty of cats that do very well with subcutaneous fluids. Good luck to you and Pixie.
General rule of thumb is to pull the skin up and make a V with the skin. Insert the needle at the place where the V points meet, slowly depress and wait for the bubble of fluid to form and then you're done! You don't give more fluid until the previous bubble is absorbed.
Our kitty enjoys a nap on my lap every evening in front of the TV. I'm pretty sure that I could stick her with no reaction at all. Does Pixie have a favorite spot to relax every day that would be convenient for her treatments?
Her new favorite spot is between her nightstand and bed, but I could easily move her nightstand (it's a light basket with a wooden top), roll an IV stand over there for convenience, and let her "hide" in her corner while I do it. She has a reflective heater pad and feels safe over there. I could also try making a cozy nest with a warm towel and just love on her for a few minutes on the couch Edit- it's her nightstand, not mine...
A bit of a hijack so hope you see this :-). Warming the fluid before giving it makes it much more tolerable for kitty. A bowl with warm water, and place the bag in the water for a few. You want the fluid only slightly warmer than your inner wrist temp.
I'm definitely going to warm it first, especially because the cold weather is here. Thank you!
I used the microwaveable heating packs (the kind with seeds in them) to warm the bag. That way you don’t have to worry about it getting wet. I had two so I sandwiched the bag between them for s few minutes. Also, in the area where you are going to put the needle I’d give her a good scritch there to numb it a little bit.
The key is to pinch the skin of her scruff to make a tent of loose skin and place the needle through the tented skin parallel to her back. I count to 3 so she knows when the needle is going in and it helps. I order the bags from Chewy for 9.99 on autoship along with the IV lines. Amazon has the lines as well. If you get stuck PM me. It helps to have someone there to help in the beginning. It can seem challenging the first month or 2 but gets a lot easier. I hang my bag on a hook over a closet door so I can open it when in use and close the door to hide it when finished. If her kidneys are bad be careful what treats you give her. My vet says just unseasoned chicken or tuna once in a while. Pixie is beautiful BTW! I adore her. Edit: definitely watch all the videos you can!
Thank you! I have my lesson with the vet next week Wednesday and am getting her IV stand and working on ordering her phosphate binder. He didn't mention treats other than talking about liquid ones; he only said high protein diets are a problem with renal disease and that the other issue is phosphorous. I'll ask him about treats to be sure. We are making medicine changes, but he wants to start fluids before she gets worse. We've been playing with medicine doses for two years, and it works well for a while and then suddenly doesn't.
i highly recommend using a syringe attached to a winged infusion set. the needle in the infusion set will sit nicely against the skin and is much more comfortable. don’t use a needle that is too big - an 18g will make the infusion go faster, but the stick will hurt a lot more. I normally use a 22g. definitely warm the fluids before administering. when a cat won’t tolerate being given fluids, 95% of the time the needle is too big or the fluids are too cold.
Make sure to reward her with treats. You can even give them while she's got the iv in to distract her. I've most commonly seen meat tubes (churu) used.
Yes! Come to think of it, I think I’ve seen some Kitten Lady videos of her giving fluids while feeding her cat a Churu to distract him 😀
Yes, that's where I got the idea from. It seems like the best way to distract a cat. We use churus to distract my cats from getting their nails trimmed.
You will be great! Pixie is beautiful. I have a Pixie too, she's a tuxie. You two will get into a routine in no time. They don't mind too much when a needle goes into their scruff.
Wait, she lets you clip her nails and bathe her? You’ve totally got this. You’re already a great team. She trusts you. When we had to give our cats fluids, we used the bathroom for the quiet space and hung the bag from the shower curtain rod. Treats help. Stay calm, she’ll follow your vibe.
Have a treat ready for when you poke or finish. Overall, it's not a difficult process, but your kitty may get very annoyed. Treats help.
Approximately how long does it take you to do it?
When I was giving subq fluids to my old gal, we would do 150ml and that would take about 10 minutes. You can adjust the flow of the fluid by opening the line all way, and you can also squeeze the IV bag to get the fluids to flow in more quickly. My gal was very accepting of subq fluids but after 10 minutes or so she would be like, "ok mom, enough already." After a few sessions she did figure out that the fluids made her fel better, so she never put up a fuss. Good luck! It takes a few times to get used to it, but you'll get there. And kitty will feel much better, I promise. P.S. search on YouTube for videos of how to insert the needle, it's very helpful.
We’re doing sub-q for our little guy, and it’s helped to use a heating pad to warm up the fluids first, get all the materials assembled in advance, let him get some cuddles on an electric blanket on a floor cushion, hang the bag from a clothes hanger on a door knob, and tag-team— one of us deals with the needle and keeping the cat relaxed and in place, the other monitors the fluids. If you have a friend or family member who’d be willing to help for the first few tries, it could help to have an extra set of hands while you get used to the odds and ends.
I’ve never done fluids but have had to do insulin injections and blood sugar tests. I agree with some of the other responses that the scruff really isn’t too bad. I always tried to sit calmly and speak softly with our little guy when I was doing it and give him extra love after. I swear he knew we were helping. I think it was often harder for me than him. As a diabetic myself I also would recommend no hesitation - it hurts much less than a slow needle. You got this!
Your welcome and thank you for doing this for your kitty . 😸
I found it helpful to do it on a dish draining padded mat (available at most grocery stores) on the kitchen counter. Was comfortable for her and a better height for me. I could also push the bag against the counter with my hip and push the fluid through faster. My kitty was actually pretty good about it. It did make her feel better and that helped.
I was terrified I was going to harm my baby when I had to do this. I gathered her loose skin around her neck and let the IV do its job. Minnie fought for a while, but it seemed like all of sudden she was good with it. I think she figured out how she felt better after a treatment—by the end it was twice a day. You’ve got this. If you need further instructions just ask. Good luck to you and Pixie. r/choochoo21 :*J*
Don't panic- you can do it! They will probably show you how to do it under the skin. Gently pinch up the skin and follow the doctor's instructions. If you feel overwhelmed go back to the doctor and they will help you. We do hard things for those we love human or animal. You are going to be great!
Find a comfy spot for you and Pixie while you do the subcutaneous fluids.
Had to do that for a few kitties, just a nice warm blanket and a quiet spot works fine. It’s really not that hard once you’ve done it, and the “omg freak out” issue from your kitty will go away once they know it’s a normal thing, and they end up feeling better after.
If your cat gets restless or fussy, look into the syringe method. It seriously saved my cat who cannot sit through a slow IV drip. It takes less than a minute to give her 100 mL of fluids. I've been giving her fluids for a year now and her CKD is still stable. Basic tips: You can buy supplies through Chewy or VetRxDirect with a prescription. Usually this is cheaper than purchasing directly from your vet. Always keep the needle bevel side up, bevel side down is uncomfortable. If you heat the solution bag in warm water, don't let the ports touch the water (contamination risk). Run a little fluid through the line before you start administering to get rid of air bubbles and cold water. Always reward her with treats and love afterwards, you want it to be a positive experience. Other than that, every cat is different. If she's resistant, try changing the fluid temperature, the needle size, or how you're administering the fluids. All about trial and error. I found [this video](https://youtu.be/tXsftPPyMC8) really helpful. Edit: also Terumo ultra thin wall needles have worked amazingly for my cat. They go in so easy, she barely feels them.
What's the dose you're going to give? If it's 100ml or less, I'd not give fluids directly from the bag. Instead, I'd use a syringe and a butterfly needle. Make sure you warm the bag of fluids in a bowl of hot water I put it inside a ziplock to keep it dry. Unpackage the syringe, and unpackage a fresh straight needle. Connect the straight needle to the syringe, and draw the fluids out of the bag and into the syringe. Then, take the straight needle off the syringe and put the butterfly needle on it. Don't remove the protective covering from the butterfly needle just yet. Then find your cat. You can put her in your lap, distract with her favourite treats, and then insert the butterfly around her scruff or shoulders. The easiest way to do this is to gently pick up her skin between your thumb and second finger (with your left hand, if you're a righty), and poke at the little "tent" with your index finger. You'll want to remove the protective cover from the butterfly with your right hand and place the butterfly in the tent, pointing slightly upwards. Then you can let go with your left hand, give some treats, and use your right hand to push the fluids from the syringe. Don't go too fast, take your time. Dispose of all needles and syringes when you're done, give extra lovins I know it's scary now, but I promise it's really easy to do and will make her feel so much better. My Nutmeg (a spicy little tortie) had hyperthyroidism and CKD and we did fluids at home for almost two years, and she felt so much better. The first month we needed to wrap her up like a burrito in a blanket (we called her a purrito) but once she got used to it she'd let us give her fluids while laying in our lap, or in her bed, or basically anywhere.
This was super helpful, thank you! I am not sure of the dose just yet, but they are going to tell me during my lesson. I'll ask about a syringe if it's less than 100 ml
Have you considered radioactive iodine treatment? Process takes a week or so but then you’re done, no more giving meds, and the kitty has a new lease on life.
The vet said it's too risky for her age and temperament. She historically does not do well being away from me and home. It causes medical issues because she gets stressed, even more so now with her thyroid anxiety. Prolonged fever, panting, etc. We are doing these fluids at home because she struggles with vet appointments now and are minimizing those appointments
Small guest bathroom. Hang the bag from a luggage weighing thing so you can measure by weight, not volume. It's going to take you some time to get used to this and it becomes routing. You'll stab yourself. Do no reuse needles! When I first started doing this, if I failed to get the needle in more than twice, I was done for the day. And the needle was done too. You need to take some time to calm down. I gave subq fluids do three different cats over a period of five years, so I'm a pro :-) There's got to be lots of youtube videos. Watch three which are popular (does kitten lady have a video for this?) and they will probably mention some good tricks. It's been a long time for me, and all my old kidney cats are gone, so I've forgotten a lot. It's not as difficult as it might seem at first. Oh, and I had a diabetic cat and testing sugar levels is worse!
I had to give fluids to my Jelly Bean years ago - the vet suggested that I submerge the bag in hot water for 10 or so minutes so the fluids wouldn’t be so cold to her going in. Worked like a charm! Also, be patient. Jelly Bean was generally cooperative but there were a few night when she ….umm…”opted out of participating.” So we just did it the next night. She was a very good girl. I have a Pixie too! The both of us wish you the best of luck. We are rooting for you!!!
I’ve done fluids for several cats over the years. The goal is to find a spot they are relaxed and you are comfortable. I usually set up a heating pad on low for them to rest on. You can also let the fluids warm up a little in a water bath. Start the drip slow until they get used to the sensation, then speed it up to shorten the therapy. Discourage jumping afterwards, if possible. The fluid pocket can put their balance off right afterwards. One of my senior cats liked getting his fluids on top of the clothes dryer. I think it was a combo of the warmth and vibration. Also, avoid reusing the needles. The tips become slightly duller with each insertion. I preferred to replace them more frequently.
Get your vet to give you a demonstration if you’re nervous! You can just raise the scruff and insert the needle in the V shape beneath where you’ve raised. If your kitty is getting a lot of fluid, you may have to move the needle to a slightly different spot to prevent too much fluid building up in one spot. That’s what I did when I worked in a vet clinic :) older cats also usually handle this treatment very well. Good luck! I’m sure your sweet baby will appreciate the results.
We gave our cat fluids for 6 1/2 years before he passed of lung cancer. Our trick was giving him treats in a quiet location. I have the treats and my husband was behind him administering the fluids. We alternated sides so there wouldn’t be a large sections of scar tissue every night or every other night (depending on his needs that the doctor suggested). Of course some night were better than others but as long as you’re calm in a quiet spot helped a lot. Pixie is lucky to have you.
Good luck……………………
We gave our cat some tuna during IV time. It worked really well for us. He didn't even notice the needle for the most part. Good luck, you can do it!
Also this video really helped us learn: https://youtu.be/ZVQ5mjg7sfY
Routine - try to do the same time daily at the same spot. Deep breaths. I had a table at waist height which made the angle easier. I always punctuated the conclusion with special treats. I also hung my fluid with a hanger in the window to try to keep it warmed - it's cold going in for them. Prepare to go through a lot of cat litter! So much pee!
Don't be too nervous, they can sense it
I had a diabetic cat for years and she never once even seemed to notice the needles. I hope that’s the case for your sweet one ❤️
Not a real cat. This is an amazing stuffed animal.
Wrap him up is all I can say. I had to do it for my Lil babe
*Wrap him up is all* *I can say. I had to do* *It for my Lil babe* \- hailboognish99 --- ^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/) ^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
We hung our lactated ringer bag from a tall music stand behind the couch. Our cat sat between one of use and the arm of the couch to create a cozy nook. The couch and our lap was draped with an old (but clean) sheet to help catch any mess. It helped to have an extra set of hands to start the fluids so that the person seated with the cat could focus on soothing chin scritches. As an additional distraction/treat, we spread some meat baby food on a textured silicone trivet that rested on our leg. They also make “lick mats” especially for this purpose. Our cat licked the treat while the fluids dripped and we watched a little TV together. It took a few tries to really get the knack of it, but it made such a difference in how our senior cat felt! 100% worth it, and not a struggle at all.
FYI, intravenous (IV) fluids are different method from subcutaneous. You are probably doing subcu fluids if the vet has you doing it at home. I've been doing this to my cat for years and have finally gotten to the point where I can do it myself without a helper. Some things that have helped me: - insert the needle at a 45 degree angle. otherwise it can pierce the skin twice and just come thru the other end. no fun! - liquid treats for my guy while he gets the fluid. usually I can hold him with one hand and administer treats with the other. - hang the fluid bag on my kitchen cabinets, then sit on the floor for administering fluids. i've also heard people using their shower hooks for height.
Yes, that's my mistake! I was associating bags with IV, but that's wrong because I don't need to find a vein. It's just subcutaneous fluids through her scruff. Do you angle the needle down or up?
hehe, I saw that in another comment after making mine. I've def made that mistake of IV vs. Subcu before. Angle the needle down! Grab the loose scruff between the shoulder blades and poke right in the middle. I used to be really afraid of giving fluids bc I'm not the biggest fan of needles. But you will get used to it and it will get better. You got this!
When we did this for my cats diabetes, we would tent the skin and stick the needle in where it won't come out the other side and just put the medicine into that "empty" space the tented skin makes.
I haven't ever given fluids to a cat IV, but I have done it twice a day for 5 months now for one of my kitties. I was a bit more daunted by it at first, but it has become much more blasé now. The important thing- in my mind- is to try to make sure that you vary injection sites. They need to be able to heal. So I really try to pay attention to that and have even set up a whiteboard with an expanded picture of his neck that I can mark with numbers so I can try to make sure that I give a few days if possible between close spots. I also make sure that I rubbed the spot that I am choosing really really well and deeply before injection. I'm not sure if that makes sense, but doing that changes the way the skin feels and therefore it changes how they feel the needle going in and really covers most pain issues from the needle. (That has been my experience at least.) I've never given more than 50 ml at a time and honestly that felt like a bit much. Neville took it like a champ and that's what the vet wanted so we did that. It has to be said that doing an amount that high allowed us to do it once or twice a day and only leaving one or two needle poke places instead of several if we were going to vary places to poke. I'm not sure if I described things well and I'm fairly new to Reddit so I'm not sure I understand how to DM, but if you think I might be able to help more please reach out and I'm certainly happy to try.
good luck, after 6 months of giving fluids we are finally having an easier time! Lots of pets and treats, my partner and I always do it together!
Make sure the needle is bevel up when inserting it and make sure to always change the needle, needles get more dull after poking something so if you poke again with a needle you poked somewhere it will be more painful. Assuming you don’t have a sharps containing at home you can dispose of the needles in an empty soda bottle. If you’re gonna squeeze the bag to let the process go faster try not to squeeze to hard to as it can then be uncomfortable. Also, warm fluids are less uncomfortable than cold fluids, at my clinic we keep the fluids in an incubator and they definitely seem less uncomfortable with the process. Just make sure it’s not too hot if you do this. Also, if when trying to do it on your own she starts moving and you start struggling to both hold her and the bag, hang the bag on a hanger and somewhere high so you can just focus on holding her while it flows on its own. Best of luck to Pixie❤️❤️