Thank you for being the first person to explain those lines on the bag and how much 100ml would be. Don't laugh. I'm clueless about this stuff and need to get it right for my first try on my sick cat. Wish me success instead, please. lol [or come here and do it for me, that would be better. I've watched at least 10 of these and this is the only one that explained that. Great job in teaching the unteachable.
How r u doing??? I should start today with my kitty but I could not manage, she was jumping and meowing and crying so I rushed to the ambulance to give her 😓
Two extremely important tips from someone who’s been giving subQ fluids to cats for over 30 years: 1) WARM THE FLUIDS BEFORE ADMINISTRATION! This makes a profound, positive difference in the comfort and tolerance of your cat! 2) Ask the vet for a prescription for Terumo brand 20 or 21 gauge needles. (The greater the number, the smaller the needle.) Most vets give you 18 or 19 gauge needles to use. These are quite large needles and make the fluids flow faster (thus saving the vet time). But they are not near as comfortable sliding into the skin as a smaller gauge needle such as a 20 or 21! With the smaller gauge needles, your cat will likely not even flinch when you insert them! The 18 or 19 are much more painful. (If you’ve had an IV inserted into your vein with an 18 or 19 gauge needle, you will definitely feel it! Ouch!) And I am recommending the Terumo brand because it is well known among renal disease cat owners to be the sharpest and smoothest needles made. Again, this ensures the greatest level of comfort for your cat. Always give your cat his/her fluids in a secluded, quiet area. It is best to give fluids at about the same time of day each session because cats are very routine oriented. Place a soft blanket on the floor to make it comfortable for him. I like to run a fan-based space heater on low because a) cats love the feel of heat and b) the fan drowns out any sounds outside the room where you’re giving fluids that might spook your cat during his fluid session. These things, plus treats before and after each session, make subQ fluid sessions a positive experience for your cat! I will often find my kitties in our secluded kitchen pantry, lying on their subQ blanket, waiting for their fluids each evening! They actually enjoy getting the warm fluids because they know it makes them feel much better.
A butterfly needle is also great if your cat isn't cooperative because it allows for more movement without as much risk for internal damage from the needle moving around the skin
Emily Fox how are you managing now? I just started sub-q on my cat this week. She’s a doll about it, but I’m nervous, even being a Type 1 diabetic and used to giving myself injections. Just curious as to your opinion on how it’s going over the 2 month period.
Best video ever! We were shown how to do this at the hospital. When I got home I re-read the instruction and got more confused. I watched 4 videos and they missed a lot of the things that you showed in yours.After seeing yours I had no problem! THANK YOU
I absolutely love that you left the "out takes" of the video in. A laugh helped. That made me feel a little less apprehensive about the whole thing. Thank you!!
Thanks so much for making this tutorial. I just started giving these fluids to our cat 2 weeks ago. The technician at our vet's did a fantastic job of explaining the procedure and had me administer the first dose at the animal hospital under her guidance. Your video was great to watch for a review at home.
I’m going to be cat sitting a cat that needs this done and I was feeling overwhelmed, but being able to watch this video has made me calm and confident that I can do it and help the cat! Thanks!
This was very helpful and really well done. The "star' of the video, Lee, did a terrific job, and the other star, Kittyboy, was great and is an *adorable* well-behaved cat. I love that you added the outtakes. It was good to see a little bit of the "stumbling" that can happen when trying to put the needle in. Not to mention him purring & nudging into the camera was hilarious. Thanks for doing this video & posting!
Thank you so much for this video. My two cats were recently diagnosed with Stage 2 CKD and today will be the first time I administer the fluids at home. I was given very clear instructions at the Vet’s and even did it once, but that was 3 days ago and I needed a step-by-step reminder.
Thank you! My cat will be coming home from the vet tomorrow and I will be giving her meds for the first time. The Dr told me to watch You Tube videos to see how it’s done and yours is the 10th one I’ve watched and you provided much more info than the others, so I’m feeling more confident. Thanks again!
Thank you so much-have an older kitty with kidney problems that needs sub-Q and this was a very complete guide...I haven't done sub-Q in years, so it helped a lot.
Thanks very much for sharing this; very helpful and thorough. I helped my mom when her cat Harry had kidney disease, but it was 2 years ago, so I needed a refresher course. My cat Henry was diagnosed today with feline hepatic lipidosis, (his liver isn't functioning at all and he hasn't eaten in days) and as part of an effort to try to save him, I'm administering saline solution. Just wanted to make sure I do it correctly. Great job on the video. Enjoyed the bloopers too. ("... please contact your veterinarian, and he... will... something.")
Very well done!thank you so much! My husband is an OB/GYN and I am an EMT and we really struggled at first giving a subcutaneous shot to our kitty. It was almost comedic! Now that we know how to do it it went without a hitch :-) thanks again!
Thank you Lee. This was very helpful - especially the part about going through the skin and having the fluid coming out the other side. I did panic and the cat was screaming. We put it away for that evening and am trying again tonight. Will comment on how we did. Thanks again for your invaluable information.
Thanks for doing this video. It’s been about a decade since I have done this, maybe longer, and I needed a refresher for Little Kitty 🐱 coming home today post surgery. I learned much more from this video than I ever did from my previous veterinarians who taught me in the first place how to administer these fluids. So thank you very much.
Thank you for this video. I realize it's been five years, but I hope that Gus lived happily into even older age and - if he's no longer with you - went peacefully to the rainbow bridge. He looked like a pretty great kitty.
My cat passed away today at 20 years old, I'm completely heartbroken, I'm crushed, I had watched this video to learn how to first give her fluids years ago I was so nervous about it. I was giving her fluids since March 2014, it really gave her another good quality three years of life.
Thank you for this. I've had a really scary week with my kitty and will probably have to give her SubQ. Not only was this informative, but leaving in the outtakes was the best of all, because I really needed something funny and a good laugh!
Thank you so much! What an excellent step-by-step and the hints are perfect! I gave fluids for the first time today, wish I had watched this first. Again, THANK YOU, this is wonderful for us non-medical pet lovers.
Hahahahahaha!!! Loved how you used the blooper reel for your video you actually posted. Hilarious. We're all humans! Nice to see you were not afraid to show that. Thank you
Thanks for making this video. I'll be administering for the 1st time tomorrow and I was worried that I'd forget all the instructions the Dr gave me. Very helpful!
Thank you SO MUCH for this excellent video. I had to give my cat Sub-Q fluids for the first time and, because of COVID, could not go into the vet's office for a lesson. Your explanation was extraordinarily clear every step of the way. So grateful you did this and I found it! (My cat Otto sends a big thank you too!)
Thank you so much for the refresher on how to administer subcutaneous fluids. It's been years since I've had to administer fluids and I was feeling a little nervous. Now I'm confident that I'll do a good job 😻 Hopefully little Georgie boy agrees.
Thank you for your comprehensive video! My Molly needs subcutaneous fluids every 2-3 days & my husband helps, but I get nervous sometimes... I have realized that it helps to not wait until bedtime when we're kind of in a hurry to get it done, and to take enough time for us and Molly to have a bit of cuddle time so we all can relax. P.S. Our Molly looks just like your patient!
Thanks very much! We just started doing this to our big Jack. You covered all of the details that I had questions about. Well done! It usually takes us about five minutes or less; our vet tech told us that we can massage the bag to make the fluids run a little faster.
I just administered subq for the first time 😊 she just let out a little meow when the needle went in and wiggled a bit, but other than that we did great! Thank you for the thorough directions ❤
Thanks for this video. My cat is very cooperative, but I find it very stressful. The best tip was how to read the numbers on the bag! Also, another person commented on warming the fluids. I think my cat prefers it that way. She doesn’t flinch when the fluids start. Good luck to all of you out there. My kitty is 18, so I know I’m only buying some extra time. I’ll do what I can for her.
We have a cat that needs this treatment. His name is Philbert. He is a brown tabby, before him I've never seen one. He comes home tomorrow and will need treatment daily. I'll be watching for more help. Thank you for sharing this video.
Thank you this was most helpful of the 2 or 3 that I watched, feel more at ease now to do this, had done this years ago, but felt not sure I could do it again thank you again for getting me back to helping my cat buddy.
I have given my cat fluids one time...she hates it.Thanks for the tip about the treat. she only likes ham but I will be sure to have some ready for her. This video was awesome! Thank you for the tips you shared..I only wish my cat was as well behaved as yours.
Thank you for this very informative video, especially the tip dealing with the build up of scar tissue. We've been giving these injections for over a month now and noticed it has recently become difficult to get the needle in our cat's neck area. The vet tech never mentioned we could give injections in other parts of Hoover's body.
Thank you so much. Great job on the video. It helps to hear it again before we do it. And your tips are helpful. I’ve been anxious about it and this makes me feel a little better. Btw, your kitty is beautiful and so sweet.
I'm facing the possibility of having to do this with my cat Puff. It will most likely depend on his labs on Friday. I've been reading some posts on different forums and have found a lot of people recommend using Terumo needles. The ultra thin wall version. It really seems to make a huge difference in the comfort of the insertion. Also, most recommend warming the fluids.
Shannon Mobley YES!! Terumo needles are the sharpest and thinnest made. Use a 20 or even smaller, a 21 gauge needle for greatest comfort. And always warm the fluids.
I've only been training for a few months but not one tech has told me to pinch off where the needle was so that the fluids don't leak out. We're about the place gauze at the puncture site and apply pressure life. Gonna try this in the future!
My cat is very difficult to hold still. He's so bad that I almost gave up on giving him sub-q fluids by myself. But I decided to try giving it to him while he eats & it has worked out really well for us. He's so distracted, that he doesn't even notice the needle or fluid going in. I also use an 18 guage needle now & it has really speeded up the process. It used to take almost 10 min to do 200 ml. Now it only takes half that. So worth a try if you have a difficult cat like mine.
Cool Cat 18 gauge needles are HUGE and very painful for the cat!!! I recommend at least a 20 gauge(which is much smaller). I even use 21 gauge on my cats and they don’t even feel them going in. The fluid sessions take a bit longer but the cat is far more comfortable and relaxed, Unless your cat is extremely large, 200ml of fluids is a huge amount to give in one session! You can even risk causing your cat heart failure by giving such a huge volume of fluids like that!
Great video thank you. I used to do this every day for my beautiful kidney cat magey no problems but I'm out of practise now. I need to do this for another beautiful kittie Baloo & I got a little anxious & so checked out YT - v well explained - thank you.
This was very helpful, thank you so much!! The only information missing is maybe some advice on approximately how long it will take to get 100 ml into the cat. It's hard to read the numbers on the bag accurately while busy with the cat, especially at the top of the bag when it's stretched out.
From my experience it all depends on the size of needle you have. I am using the 18 gauge X 1 in monoject. It only takes me anywhere between five to ten minutes to get the sub q fluids in my cat, however, I am doing 150 ml for my cat. So yours may take a little less time than that. If the needle is smaller then it will take longer to get the fluids in her, but the advantage to the smaller needles are the cat doesn't feel it as much as the larger ones when you poke them.Hope this helps.
There are calculators online that could help you with this. Your admin set (tubing going from needle to bag of solution) should have a predetermined rate of flow, usually in the form of ggt/ml (drops per ml). Once you have that info you can find drip rate calculators online and just put in the information. Most line rates are either 15ggt/ml or 10ggt/ml.
Thank you very much, your video the best and help us to do it first time at home. One small question: do we need to keep the rest of solution refrigerated or not.
I was watchin all sorts of videos but after making an appointment to get a nice lesson I feel 100% better I’m the type who needs to be shown In person Plus I needed a psychological pep talk ahhahaha I was like “there’s seriously little to no nerve endings here ?!” Ahhahaha Another helpful tip was to grab skin with two fingers not all 4
THANK YOU FOR THIS, was exactly what I needed as I was so nervous to do it myself. Your video gave me the courage to go ahead and get it done. The extra tips at the end were brilliant.Good news- I was able to prepare everything, inject the needle, etc Bad news- only able to give my cat 1/2 of what I was meant too because she wasn't very cooperative :( Practice makes perfect though, right? Going to buy some kitty treats today and see if that helps. Thanks again.
This was so helpful. Thank you very much! The vet tech showed me in the office how to do everything, but there were doubts when I had to do by myself the next day. The fluid leaked over the back when she shifted. I wasn't sure how to remove the used needle, but the twist you demonstrated was the key. I prefer to remove the used needle after use so it is ready to go for the next time. What is your reasoning for leaving the old needle in place until the next use? Also, seeing you roll the little lever in the different directions, helped me to know when the line was open and closed. I administered the fluid while she was in the carrier with the top half removed. That kept her somewhat confined and not too shifty since I was alone for this task. Very grateful for the tutorial!
thank you so much very helpful! this our third time doing fluids with our cat! I was scared because my cat bled a little so we stop! I am hoping or thinking it was the overused area! I will be talking my vet about the incident.
Thank you for informational tutorial. I have an elderly cat who loathes his sub q treatment. Very helpful. Why does the needle have to be so thick??ouch.
Talk to your vet. It may not have to be so thick. We started with an 18 guage needle , used by our veterinarian. We asked if we could use a smaller one. The vet gave us some smaller 20 and 22 guage to try. We're using the 22 guage. It takes longer, but it hurts less going in. Our kitty seems to be ok with the tradeoff. Once the needle is in, she is ok with sitting there for 10 minutes or so. The 22 needle still stings a little, but not as much as the 18.
Thank you, this was very helpful, although I've only done this once or twice I'm very new & still a bit nervous as my cat meows when I try to stick the needle so I think I'm just not good at it yet. Practicing will help!
Is their kid still in the space between the iv and the tubung?. I also don't see a puffiness where the fluid is. There's suppose to be fluid where the needle is. The body where the needle is still flat. I don't feel the fluid. I thought I'm doing it right
My cat actually sits really still for pretty much any treatment, including fluid therapy now that we've started it at home. So to answer your question.... Earth, for the subset of cats used to lots of contact and handling? :P
Thank you!! Do you recommend wrapping dogs up in a towel or blanket if they are not cooperating? My dog cries out when I poke him and tries to thrash around, so I normally remove the needle before I can even get started out of fear of stabbing him. Also, I accidentally dropped the line after removing the needle and it touched his bed, so does this mean I contaminated the end of the line? Does the whole thing need to be thrown away?
Thank you for the video. It helps to see you do the procedure. And thanks for clearly explaining the details. My question: When I administer the fluids my cat complains. When I insert the needle it hurts her, and she moans every few seconds as the fluids go in. The needle seems big. Do they make thin needles? Any suggestions?
shelleypiano YES!! I touched on this subject in my comment above! You want to purchase the Terumo brand of needles as they are widely known to be the sharpest and smoothest needle made. Sharpness and smoothness make for a needle that slides through the skin like butter! You can actually feel the difference when inserting a Terumo vs another cheaper brand such as Monoject, which vets usually use. Second-and most important-use a 20 or even 21 gauge needle!! (The higher the number, the smaller the needle.) Most vets send cat owners home with 18 or 19 gauge needles, which are very big and far more painful upon insertion than a 20 or 21 gauge needle!! Most cats don’t even flinch when receiving a 20 or 21 gauge needle, provided you are following a proper insertion technique and inserting into an appropriate area of the body where there is lots of loose skin (shoulder blade area). I use a 21 gauge Terumo on my cats and they lay as still as can be. They even purr while they are receiving their warmed fluids.
There we go! 14:26!! That's my reality, lol! Keeping them still and trying not to insert needle incorrectly! So here's a question to the makers of video, or anyone else out there: is there a possibility of accidentally hitting spinal cord, artery or any other detrimental area, and causing partial or irreparable damage?? And how to avoid that? My cat is elderly, small, and skin is tight & thin, no fat. I've gone in & out, as the tech described, but intimidated that long needle may hit vital organ if I slant down too much! Please, for kitty's sake, any answers, then advice? Thank you, in advance.
Thanks…great video and very straight forward and informative…I just recently started giving my cat sub-q injections…it's been challenging, but we are getting the hang of it…One thing I've noticed is that the liquid drains down to her paws in the sub-q layer below her skin and causes her paw to swell up…usually this goes away in about 18 to 24 hours…Is this normal? Also, my vet told me that the needles can be used up to 3 times…If they are capped right after usage is this OK as well? Thanks again and I look forward to your reply…Stephen
I am so sorry this reply is very late. I hope things are going well. You only use needles ONCE. You then leave the "dirty needle"(with cap) on until the next time to keep the end of the line sterile, then when you are ready to do the fluids again, you put on a new needle. As far as the fluids "draining" down her paws, try putting the fluids in further back, more mid abdomen, either on top, or just off to the side, so when it drains, it won't be over a limb.
GriffithSmAnimalHosp ok, thanks…I've been using the needles 2 or 3 times, but I guess it would be more sterile to use a new needle every time…my cat seems to be responding very well to this and other therapies…thank you again!
stephen trupp Your vet is risking infection to your cat by telling you to use used needles on your cat!! Very bad advice. Never, ever do this!! As this facility says, always use a new, sterile needle for each fluid succession. And I would find me another vet if I were you. Maintaining cleanliness and sterility in veterinary medicine is critical. A vet using used needles on animals should lose his license to practice!
After you've finished administering the fluids, what do you do with the leftover fluids? Can they be stored at room temp? If so, where would I store them? Are there expiration dates on the bags?
Kim Moore Leave the fluid bags at room temperature. Store in a reasonably cool, dark area away from sunlight. You never want to give cold fluids-especially refrigerated fluids-to your cat! This would be extremely uncomfortable! That’s why leaving the bags at room temp is best. Still, slightly warm the fluid bag before giving fluids. This will make your cat much more comfortable and help him to relax throughout his fluid session. And yes, there is an expiration date on the bags. But-according to three vets I’ve spoken to-as long as the fluid bag has not been removed from its outer plastic wrap-and has been stored in a cool, dark place away from sunlight-you can use the fluids beyond expiration. Wildlife medical facilities use expired fluids all the time.
Thank you for being the first person to explain those lines on the bag and how much 100ml would be. Don't laugh. I'm clueless about this stuff and need to get it right for my first try on my sick cat. Wish me success instead, please. lol [or come here and do it for me, that would be better. I've watched at least 10 of these and this is the only one that explained that. Great job in teaching the unteachable.
How r u doing??? I should start today with my kitty but I could not manage, she was jumping and meowing and crying so I rushed to the ambulance to give her 😓
@@ildikoesztergalyos7306 Try giving treats before, and cheek rubs during. Also warm the bag to 38° C first, in a bucket of hot water.
, ,
Two extremely important tips from someone who’s been giving subQ fluids to cats for over 30 years:
1) WARM THE FLUIDS BEFORE ADMINISTRATION! This makes a profound, positive difference in the comfort and tolerance of your cat!
2) Ask the vet for a prescription for Terumo brand 20 or 21 gauge needles. (The greater the number, the smaller the needle.) Most vets give you 18 or 19 gauge needles to use. These are quite large needles and make the fluids flow faster (thus saving the vet time). But they are not near as comfortable sliding into the skin as a smaller gauge needle such as a 20 or 21! With the smaller gauge needles, your cat will likely not even flinch when you insert them! The 18 or 19 are much more painful. (If you’ve had an IV inserted into your vein with an 18 or 19 gauge needle, you will definitely feel it! Ouch!)
And I am recommending the Terumo brand because it is well known among renal disease cat owners to be the sharpest and smoothest needles made. Again, this ensures the greatest level of comfort for your cat.
Always give your cat his/her fluids in a secluded, quiet area. It is best to give fluids at about the same time of day each session because cats are very routine oriented. Place a soft blanket on the floor to make it comfortable for him. I like to run a fan-based space heater on low because a) cats love the feel of heat and b) the fan drowns out any sounds outside the room where you’re giving fluids that might spook your cat during his fluid session.
These things, plus treats before and after each session, make subQ fluid sessions a positive experience for your cat! I will often find my kitties in our secluded kitchen pantry, lying on their subQ blanket, waiting for their fluids each evening! They actually enjoy getting the warm fluids because they know it makes them feel much better.
Thanks, I will try, there is no way that my cat accept the therapy, I will try with these recommendations.
A butterfly needle is also great if your cat isn't cooperative because it allows for more movement without as much risk for internal damage from the needle moving around the skin
thank you, I am starting today.
Where can I get subQ fluids? Is it the same as what is used in people?
Since were have a pandemic I couldn't see the vet in person. The bag is different at the bottom w/ two tubes.
Thank you! I am quarantined and had to give my cat fluids for the first time in my own. Your video really helped.
Emily Fox how are you managing now? I just started sub-q on my cat this week. She’s a doll about it, but I’m nervous, even being a Type 1 diabetic and used to giving myself injections. Just curious as to your opinion on how it’s going over the 2 month period.
Best video ever! We were shown how to do this at the hospital. When I got home I re-read the instruction and got more confused. I watched 4 videos and they missed a lot of the things that you showed in yours.After seeing yours I had no problem! THANK YOU
The video tutorial was very helpful. Our Vet showed us the the procedure but it was quickly forgotten. You are an excellent instructor!
I absolutely love that you left the "out takes" of the video in. A laugh helped. That made me feel a little less apprehensive about the whole thing. Thank you!!
Thanks so much for making this tutorial. I just started giving these fluids to our cat 2 weeks ago. The technician at our vet's did a fantastic job of explaining the procedure and had me administer the first dose at the animal hospital under her guidance. Your video was great to watch for a review at home.
Karen Schneider We are happy this helps you out. Thank you for your nice comment! : )
I’m going to be cat sitting a cat that needs this done and I was feeling overwhelmed, but being able to watch this video has made me calm and confident that I can do it and help the cat! Thanks!
This was very helpful and really well done. The "star' of the video, Lee, did a terrific job, and the other star, Kittyboy, was great and is an *adorable* well-behaved cat. I love that you added the outtakes. It was good to see a little bit of the "stumbling" that can happen when trying to put the needle in. Not to mention him purring & nudging into the camera was hilarious. Thanks for doing this video & posting!
Thank you so much for this video. My two cats were recently diagnosed with Stage 2 CKD and today will be the first time I administer the fluids at home. I was given very clear instructions at the Vet’s and even did it once, but that was 3 days ago and I needed a step-by-step reminder.
Thank you! My cat will be coming home from the vet tomorrow and I will be giving her meds for the first time. The Dr told me to watch You Tube videos to see how it’s done and yours is the 10th one I’ve watched and you provided much more info than the others, so I’m feeling more confident. Thanks again!
Thank you so much-have an older kitty with kidney problems that needs sub-Q and this was a very complete guide...I haven't done sub-Q in years, so it helped a lot.
Thanks very much for sharing this; very helpful and thorough. I helped my mom when her cat Harry had kidney disease, but it was 2 years ago, so I needed a refresher course. My cat Henry was diagnosed today with feline hepatic lipidosis, (his liver isn't functioning at all and he hasn't eaten in days) and as part of an effort to try to save him, I'm administering saline solution. Just wanted to make sure I do it correctly. Great job on the video. Enjoyed the bloopers too. ("... please contact your veterinarian, and he... will... something.")
Very well done!thank you so much! My husband is an OB/GYN and I am an EMT and we really struggled at first giving a subcutaneous shot to our kitty. It was almost comedic! Now that we know how to do it it went without a hitch :-) thanks again!
Thank you for your very helpful tutorial. I just gave my sweet kitty her injection. Everything went smoothly, according to your instructions.
Thank you Lee. This was very helpful - especially the part about going through the skin and having the fluid coming out the other side. I did panic and the cat was screaming. We put it away for that evening and am trying again tonight. Will comment on how we did. Thanks again for your invaluable information.
Thanks for doing this video. It’s been about a decade since I have done this, maybe longer, and I needed a refresher for Little Kitty 🐱 coming home today post surgery. I learned much more from this video than I ever did from my previous veterinarians who taught me in the first place how to administer these fluids. So thank you very much.
This tutorial was WAY more helpful than all the others on here.
Thank you for this video. I realize it's been five years, but I hope that Gus lived happily into even older age and - if he's no longer with you - went peacefully to the rainbow bridge. He looked like a pretty great kitty.
Thank you for posting. This video saved a feral cat that makes his home on my mother's land. He was hit by a car and this procedure saved his life.
My cat passed away today at 20 years old, I'm completely heartbroken, I'm crushed, I had watched this video to learn how to first give her fluids years ago I was so nervous about it. I was giving her fluids since March 2014, it really gave her another good quality three years of life.
Thank you for this. I've had a really scary week with my kitty and will probably have to give her SubQ. Not only was this informative, but leaving in the outtakes was the best of all, because I really needed something funny and a good laugh!
Thank you so much! What an excellent step-by-step and the hints are perfect! I gave fluids for the first time today, wish I had watched this first. Again, THANK YOU, this is wonderful for us non-medical pet lovers.
Hahahahahaha!!! Loved how you used the blooper reel for your video you actually posted. Hilarious. We're all humans! Nice to see you were not afraid to show that. Thank you
Dreamydoodles Glad you enjoyed that! We have lots of bloopers!
The bloopers are adorable!
Thanks for making this video. I'll be administering for the 1st time tomorrow and I was worried that I'd forget all the instructions the Dr gave me. Very helpful!
Thank you SO MUCH for this excellent video. I had to give my cat Sub-Q fluids for the first time and, because of COVID, could not go into the vet's office for a lesson. Your explanation was extraordinarily clear every step of the way. So grateful you did this and I found it! (My cat Otto sends a big thank you too!)
Thank you for your very thorough video tutorial. I'm about to give sub q fluids to one of my cats for the first time, so this was very helpful.
Thank you so much for the refresher on how to administer subcutaneous fluids. It's been years since I've had to administer fluids and I was feeling a little nervous. Now I'm confident that I'll do a good job 😻 Hopefully little Georgie boy agrees.
Thank you for your comprehensive video! My Molly needs subcutaneous fluids every 2-3 days & my husband helps, but I get nervous sometimes... I have realized that it helps to not wait until bedtime when we're kind of in a hurry to get it done, and to take enough time for us and Molly to have a bit of cuddle time so we all can relax. P.S. Our Molly looks just like your patient!
Thanks very much! We just started doing this to our big Jack. You covered all of the details that I had questions about. Well done! It usually takes us about five minutes or less; our vet tech told us that we can massage the bag to make the fluids run a little faster.
This is so very helpful! My vet is wonderful, but the tutorial was so quick (and I was nervous) that I couldn't recall many things. Thanks again!
I just administered subq for the first time 😊 she just let out a little meow when the needle went in and wiggled a bit, but other than that we did great! Thank you for the thorough directions ❤
This video is a perfect help for me and my cat, thank you all so much for the clear, well organized and detailed information!
yours is the most indepth and useful sub fluid video. i've watched at least 5!
Thanks for this video. My cat is very cooperative, but I find it very stressful. The best tip was how to read the numbers on the bag! Also, another person commented on warming the fluids. I think my cat prefers it that way. She doesn’t flinch when the fluids start. Good luck to all of you out there. My kitty is 18, so I know I’m only buying some extra time. I’ll do what I can for her.
Thank you for the helpful video. I was worried about doing it right at home, but today was successful.
I LOVE the end!!!! Outakes/bloopers...AWESOME!!
Thanks for your video. We've been giving fluids to Schmoo for 3 years now, and it's good to see your helpful tips and technique.
This is nicely done and so helpful. Thank you. Sending Gus love, wherever he is.
THANK YOU! You did an awesome job of explaining....you covered things they did not at the vet's office. we will try this again... wish us luck....
We have a cat that needs this treatment. His name is Philbert. He is a brown tabby, before him I've never seen one. He comes home tomorrow and will need treatment daily. I'll be watching for more help. Thank you for sharing this video.
Thank you this was most helpful of the 2 or 3 that I watched, feel more at ease now to do this, had done
this years ago, but felt not sure I could do it again thank you again for getting me back to helping my cat
buddy.
It was great to learn from the experts. thanks for making this procedure understandable and entertaining.
Thank you for this! I’m not panicking as much now about giving my girl fluids.
This is very helpful as we were given the items and set home from emergency without training.
Thank you. Great tutorial. Nice cat who trusts and loves you.
Thanks! And I enjoyed the out-takes too!
I have given my cat fluids one time...she hates it.Thanks for the tip about the treat. she only likes ham but I will be sure to have some ready for her. This video was awesome! Thank you for the tips you shared..I only wish my cat was as well behaved as yours.
I loved the mess-ups at the end!!!
Thank you for this very informative video, especially the tip dealing with the build up of scar tissue. We've been giving these injections for over a month now and noticed it has recently become difficult to get the needle in our cat's neck area. The vet tech never mentioned we could give injections in other parts of Hoover's body.
You are very welcome! Glad we could help and good for you for doing fluids at home! It's not an easy task most times. : )
Thank you so much for this tutorial, hope to see more tutorials about cat topics
Thank you so much. Great job on the video. It helps to hear it again before we do it. And your tips are helpful. I’ve been anxious about it and this makes me feel a little better. Btw, your kitty is beautiful and so sweet.
Thank you for doing this ! Really appreciate your expertise and help !
Loved the bloopers esp 14:38! Very helpful video, that kitty's a champ!!
Im about to start fluid care for my cat. this is a great video. thanks so much
Thank you, my first try was successful thanks to this video
I'm facing the possibility of having to do this with my cat Puff. It will most likely depend on his labs on Friday. I've been reading some posts on different forums and have found a lot of people recommend using Terumo needles. The ultra thin wall version. It really seems to make a huge difference in the comfort of the insertion. Also, most recommend warming the fluids.
Shannon Mobley YES!! Terumo needles are the sharpest and thinnest made. Use a 20 or even smaller, a 21 gauge needle for greatest comfort. And always warm the fluids.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH for this video! You explained everything so well and I truly appreciate it. :)
Thank you for this video -- I appreciate the technique and tips you've shared.
+geekaren Glad we could help. : )
What more do I have to say than, thank you, we have come a long way from the days of a 22 solution.
Thank u for making this video. U made it really easy to understand.
THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH you put my mind at rest !!!
Really informative! I feel I can do it to my cat now. I love the humor, too!
+Claudia Miller Thank you! We appreciate the nice comment!
Helpful. I would need 2 to hold Mike, 1 to administer. What are the reasons to give Sub-Q Fluids?.
THANK YOU LEE, I LOVE YOU. YOU MADE AN EXCELLENT PRESENTATION.!
Thank you! This is the best tutorial video❤️
I've only been training for a few months but not one tech has told me to pinch off where the needle was so that the fluids don't leak out. We're about the place gauze at the puncture site and apply pressure life. Gonna try this in the future!
My cat is very difficult to hold still. He's so bad that I almost gave up on giving him sub-q fluids by myself. But I decided to try giving it to him while he eats & it has worked out really well for us. He's so distracted, that he doesn't even notice the needle or fluid going in. I also use an 18 guage needle now & it has really speeded up the process. It used to take almost 10 min to do 200 ml. Now it only takes half that. So worth a try if you have a difficult cat like mine.
Cool Cat 18 gauge needles are HUGE and very painful for the cat!!! I recommend at least a 20 gauge(which is much smaller). I even use 21 gauge on my cats and they don’t even feel them going in. The fluid sessions take a bit longer but the cat is far more comfortable and relaxed,
Unless your cat is extremely large, 200ml of fluids is a huge amount to give in one session! You can even risk causing your cat heart failure by giving such a huge volume of fluids like that!
Great video thank you. I used to do this every day for my beautiful kidney cat magey no problems but I'm out of practise now. I need to do this for another beautiful kittie Baloo & I got a little anxious & so checked out YT - v well explained - thank you.
This was very helpful, thank you so much!! The only information missing is maybe some advice on approximately how long it will take to get 100 ml into the cat. It's hard to read the numbers on the bag accurately while busy with the cat, especially at the top of the bag when it's stretched out.
From my experience it all depends on the size of needle you have. I am using the 18 gauge X 1 in monoject. It only takes me anywhere between five to ten minutes to get the sub q fluids in my cat, however, I am doing 150 ml for my cat. So yours may take a little less time than that. If the needle is smaller then it will take longer to get the fluids in her, but the advantage to the smaller needles are the cat doesn't feel it as much as the larger ones when you poke them.Hope this helps.
Samh09 is about right with his time. It would take about 4-5 minutes with an 18 gauge needle.
There are calculators online that could help you with this. Your admin set (tubing going from needle to bag of solution) should have a predetermined rate of flow, usually in the form of ggt/ml (drops per ml). Once you have that info you can find drip rate calculators online and just put in the information. Most line rates are either 15ggt/ml or 10ggt/ml.
Thanks for this video, it's quite helpful for us kitty lovers!
Thank you very much, your video the best and help us to do it first time at home. One small question: do we need to keep the rest of solution refrigerated or not.
It is such a struggle sometimes to get the needle (22 gauge Terumo) to pierce the skin! 😬😬😬
I really learned a lot from your video. I have one question, how long does the whole procedure take?
+C Flannigan It can take about 5 minutes once you are comfortable, depending on the amount of fluids given.
I was watchin all sorts of videos but after making an appointment to get a nice lesson I feel 100% better
I’m the type who needs to be shown In person
Plus I needed a psychological pep talk ahhahaha I was like “there’s seriously little to no nerve endings here ?!” Ahhahaha
Another helpful tip was to grab skin with two fingers not all 4
THANK YOU FOR THIS, was exactly what I needed as I was so nervous to do it myself. Your video gave me the courage to go ahead and get it done. The extra tips at the end were brilliant.Good news- I was able to prepare everything, inject the needle, etc Bad news- only able to give my cat 1/2 of what I was meant too because she wasn't very cooperative :( Practice makes perfect though, right? Going to buy some kitty treats today and see if that helps. Thanks again.
This was so helpful. Thank you very much! The vet tech showed me in the office how to do everything, but there were doubts when I had to do by myself the next day. The fluid leaked over the back when she shifted. I wasn't sure how to remove the used needle, but the twist you demonstrated was the key. I prefer to remove the used needle after use so it is ready to go for the next time. What is your reasoning for leaving the old needle in place until the next use? Also, seeing you roll the little lever in the different directions, helped me to know when the line was open and closed. I administered the fluid while she was in the carrier with the top half removed. That kept her somewhat confined and not too shifty since I was alone for this task. Very grateful for the tutorial!
thank you so much very helpful! this our third time doing fluids with our cat! I was scared because my cat bled a little so we stop! I am hoping or thinking it was the overused area! I will be talking my vet about the incident.
you make it look so easy..hope we can do this for "Dib"
Thank you for informational tutorial. I have an elderly cat who loathes his sub q treatment. Very helpful. Why does the needle have to be so thick??ouch.
Talk to your vet. It may not have to be so thick. We started with an 18 guage needle , used by our veterinarian. We asked if we could use a smaller one. The vet gave us some smaller 20 and 22 guage to try. We're using the 22 guage. It takes longer, but it hurts less going in. Our kitty seems to be ok with the tradeoff. Once the needle is in, she is ok with sitting there for 10 minutes or so. The 22 needle still stings a little, but not as much as the 18.
Thank you, this was very helpful, although I've only done this once or twice I'm very new & still a bit nervous as my cat meows when I try to stick the needle so I think I'm just not good at it yet. Practicing will help!
My vet showed me exactly this same way,thanks.
Is their kid still in the space between the iv and the tubung?. I also don't see a puffiness where the fluid is. There's suppose to be fluid where the needle is. The body where the needle is still flat. I don't feel the fluid. I thought I'm doing it right
I like the gag reel too!
Thank you for helping me help my cat.
Love the video do u have refrigerate the solution after u get done
On what planet does the cat stand still and let you do that?!
My cat actually sits really still for pretty much any treatment, including fluid therapy now that we've started it at home. So to answer your question.... Earth, for the subset of cats used to lots of contact and handling? :P
My cat could die without the hydration. He knows this and purrs the whole time.
one more thing…I know it probably varies case by case…but do you think that it is OK to give fluids every other day instead of each day? Thanks again!
Thank you!! Do you recommend wrapping dogs up in a towel or blanket if they are not cooperating? My dog cries out when I poke him and tries to thrash around, so I normally remove the needle before I can even get started out of fear of stabbing him. Also, I accidentally dropped the line after removing the needle and it touched his bed, so does this mean I contaminated the end of the line? Does the whole thing need to be thrown away?
I find this video very useful. thank you.
Thank you for the video. It helps to see you do the procedure. And thanks for clearly explaining the details. My question: When I administer the fluids my cat complains. When I insert the needle it hurts her, and she moans every few seconds as the fluids go in. The needle seems big. Do they make thin needles? Any suggestions?
shelleypiano YES!! I touched on this subject in my comment above!
You want to purchase the Terumo brand of needles as they are widely known to be the sharpest and smoothest needle made. Sharpness and smoothness make for a needle that slides through the skin like butter! You can actually feel the difference when inserting a Terumo vs another cheaper brand such as Monoject, which vets usually use.
Second-and most important-use a 20 or even 21 gauge needle!! (The higher the number, the smaller the needle.) Most vets send cat owners home with 18 or 19 gauge needles, which are very big and far more painful upon insertion than a 20 or 21 gauge needle!! Most cats don’t even flinch when receiving a 20 or 21 gauge needle, provided you are following a proper insertion technique and inserting into an appropriate area of the body where there is lots of loose skin (shoulder blade area). I use a 21 gauge Terumo on my cats and they lay as still as can be. They even purr while they are receiving their warmed fluids.
the cat looks smart
Do you just check the fluid and run it when you are using a new bag or every time you give treatment?
There we go! 14:26!! That's my reality, lol! Keeping them still and trying not to insert needle incorrectly! So here's a question to the makers of video, or anyone else out there: is there a possibility of accidentally hitting spinal cord, artery or any other detrimental area, and causing partial or irreparable damage?? And how to avoid that? My cat is elderly, small, and skin is tight & thin, no fat. I've gone in & out, as the tech described, but intimidated that long needle may hit vital organ if I slant down too much! Please, for kitty's sake, any answers, then advice? Thank you, in advance.
Thanks…great video and very straight forward and informative…I just recently started giving my cat sub-q injections…it's been challenging, but we are getting the hang of it…One thing I've noticed is that the liquid drains down to her paws in the sub-q layer below her skin and causes her paw to swell up…usually this goes away in about 18 to 24 hours…Is this normal? Also, my vet told me that the needles can be used up to 3 times…If they are capped right after usage is this OK as well? Thanks again and I look forward to your reply…Stephen
I am so sorry this reply is very late. I hope things are going well. You only use needles ONCE. You then leave the "dirty needle"(with cap) on until the next time to keep the end of the line sterile, then when you are ready to do the fluids again, you put on a new needle. As far as the fluids "draining" down her paws, try putting the fluids in further back, more mid abdomen, either on top, or just off to the side, so when it drains, it won't be over a limb.
GriffithSmAnimalHosp ok, thanks…I've been using the needles 2 or 3 times, but I guess it would be more sterile to use a new needle every time…my cat seems to be responding very well to this and other therapies…thank you again!
stephen trupp Your vet is risking infection to your cat by telling you to use used needles on your cat!! Very bad advice. Never, ever do this!! As this facility says, always use a new, sterile needle for each fluid succession.
And I would find me another vet if I were you. Maintaining cleanliness and sterility in veterinary medicine is critical. A vet using used needles on animals should lose his license to practice!
My vet recommended 200ml once a week. I ignored that because it seemed to be like saying...have 1 glass of water a week. I changed it to 100ml 3x week
After you've finished administering the fluids, what do you do with the leftover fluids? Can they be stored at room temp? If so, where would I store them? Are there expiration dates on the bags?
Kim Moore Leave the fluid bags at room temperature. Store in a reasonably cool, dark area away from sunlight.
You never want to give cold fluids-especially refrigerated fluids-to your cat! This would be extremely uncomfortable! That’s why leaving the bags at room temp is best.
Still, slightly warm the fluid bag before giving fluids. This will make your cat much more comfortable and help him to relax throughout his fluid session.
And yes, there is an expiration date on the bags. But-according to three vets I’ve spoken to-as long as the fluid bag has not been removed from its outer plastic wrap-and has been stored in a cool, dark place away from sunlight-you can use the fluids beyond expiration. Wildlife medical facilities use expired fluids all the time.
Exceellent video!
Thank you! This really helps!
Great information