Giving fluids to cat

[littleclover]

Any good ideas on a way to keep a cat calm while giving IV fluids? My cat is having kidney failure and we are trying to give him fluids twice a week at home. He was so calm at the vets office while I learned how to do the procedure. Now that we are home, he won't stay still and is fighting the iv.

Help

 

[LuvOrlando]

So sorry your cat isn't doing very well. No advice other than to suggest trying it in the daylight when kitties tend to be less active.

If it won't work maybe there is a sedative the Dr can give you which is processed by the liver instead of the kidneys.

 

[Hannathy]

You are probably giving sub Q fluids but either way try wrapping your cat in a blanket just exposing the bit you need.
Most tolerate the fluids well but some are excitable. (they are always better at the DR's, just like kids!)
Another way is to offer some food they REALLY like if it isn't so sick it isn't interested in food. If you distract it eating the turkey or tuna or cat treat often you can get the fluids started before they even notice.

Good luck they really do feel better if you can get them in. Also try to stay calm and quiet so your tension isn't passed onto the cat.

 

[littleclover]

He is still eating pretty good so we will have to try and bribe him during the week and try during the day on the weekend.

We tried to wrap him in a blanket but he got so wound up I thought maybe the needle was going to hurt him so I pulled it out and let him go. He got about 2/3 the liquid needed this round.

We will try again on Saturday.

 

[EMom]

We've done this for 2 cats. In both cases, it was a two person job. One cat handled it better than the other. In both cases, we got them positioned somewhere that made it easy for me to cuddle them. I didn't HOLD them, but rather got them in position and petted them to calm them down. Then I'd more or less swaddle them with my arms to stop them from fidgeting too much. Once I had them still, DH would grab the skin at the scruff of their neck, pull it up like a tent and stick the needle in. At some point, I'd have to take over keeping that needle in place and the WHY of that is coming up next. We were advised to squeeze the fluid bag instead of letting in sloooooooowly drip in the line because that gets it in the cat faster......and the faster the fluids get in, the sooner it's over and the happier the cat is. So after DH got the needle in place, I'd use my swaddling hand to hold it in place and he'd squeeze the devil out of that bag to get the fluids in ASAP.

Oh yes..... Keeping the fluids elevated above the cat (we hung the bag from a coat hanger on a chair or light fixture) makes the fluids flow easier and more quickly.

Hope that helps.

 

[Imzadi]

I have to give my cat ear drops now & then. Like your cat, at the vet's she was fine. I get home and try it and she goes wacko.

The next visit at the vet's, I ask them HOW do they do it, because I need four hands, two to hold her down, a third to flap her ear back & hold it open and a fourth to administer the drops.

Turns out, there is a procedure to approaching and holding the cat. I wish they had taught it to me. But, I guess they learned it in Vet school, and it's so natural for them to do it now, they don't realize, we mere mortals don't know how to do it.

You have to approach the cat from behind and come up next to him, so your whole arm is over his whole body, your elbow at his tail, hand at the neck, and then gently pin him down with your arm. Scruff him from that way. Don't be facing the cat, trying to do stuff. Administer from behind. If he sees you coming with the IV, he's going to go crazy & run & hide. I actually have to hide the cotton balls & ear drops so my cat doesn't know what's coming.

Also, your kitty is probably sensing your hesitation or nervousness about doing it. Remain calm when you insert the IV.