Cat Friendly Homes Presents: How to Give Subcutaneous Fluids

In this video, Dr. Margie Scherk demonstrates how to give subcutaneous fluids to your cat. Dr. Scherk reviews how to set up the intravenous bag, needle preparation, and proper cat handling to provide the fluids.

[@jsfnnyc]

Great job. Now where can I find that person holding the kitty treat to come over to my house? 😉

[@Savannah-ed4rv]

Exactly. I don't have anybody to help me and certainly having four hands that makes it much easier with the squiggly cat

[@MoDavI-sl7iy]

Lol

[@blipblip88]

Thanks for the hints and suggestions! I think your idea of raising the bag up high is great. We tried this intervantion at home yesterday with our 19 year old cat Franky. We struggled for a bit learning the tube cut-offs and the needle placement in his skin with relatively few snags. It may be a fluke, but he's actually looking calmer and more alert, and eating more than just a couple little treats! Knock on wood he'll feel better and we can love him a little bit longer. ☺😺

[@jupitergal21]

THANK YOU SO MUCH! The other video I watched seemed good but I didn't know what it was missing (warming the bag, how to attach the tube to the bag) until I watched this too, so luckily I didn't try to start before this one. My first attempt and everything was 100% successful!

[@jmichaelp]

I like the tip about pulling the skin over the needle. When I did this for a cat 10 years ago, I was always afraid of pushing the needle in too far.

[@Soporbum42]

I'm brand new to doing fluids for my cat, but my vet told me that it was very common to accidentally push the needle too far and go right back out! I definitely did this at least once in my first few days, whoops!

[@donmoore7785]

@@Soporbum42 I did the same despite a warning from my vet assistant. For my dog, it works better to press the needle only halfway in. I can't get enough skin away from muscle to press the needle all way in. It works fine with the needle halfway in, and this is how far it was in when the assistant demonstrated and gave him a full treatment.

[@icarosatsuma]

Thank you so much!! My husband and I are new to this. Last time didn’t go so smoothly. Tonight was a breeze thanks to this video!! I especially loved the tips about warming the bag and pulling the skin back over the needle. Our kitty appreciated our improved technique! 😻

[@chellecat247]

Thank you so much for explaining how everything connects, and showing how to easily pull the skin over the needle. That was the scariest part, but with your help, it was easy!!! Thank you thank you! God bless you.

[@user-oz9fs1xs9u]

Thanks for the concise demonstration! I have had trouble from time to time with fluids stopping flow. I tried to move the needle out or sideways and boom-it came out and we all got wet. So frustrating. Not good. I'll try rotating it, for some reason I never thought of that. It IS hard doing it with a confused cat (new to fluids) and no helper to distract the kitty. More than about 30 seconds is a challenge. Also sick cats don't always want a treat, they just want to go back to bed. I do use an instant read thermometer in the water basin used to warm the fluids bag, too hot is a risk.

[@FlwrCats76]

I'm right there with you! I SO wish I had a helper and that my cat was treat motivated. I don't want to ruin the bond we have during her last months on Earth. I'm going to see how this goes and hopefully it gets better. She winces and moves away from me now. I haven't seen any videos to address that part of it all.

[@donmoore7785]

A different technique is to leave the old needle connected, and put the sheath on it. When you go for next treatment, remove and put on a new needle. You know to always discard what you find on the line.

[@b.bailey8244]

wonderful video - thanks for explaining things so well and showing how to warm the fluids, how you can rotate the needle, etc. I have to do this alone for my cat and am trying to work up the courage.

[@arabesquearomas]

Me too! ❤

[@mycreativeheart4159]

Hope you got this all to work. I too am trying this at home by myself. So far... 2 failures. My cat is fighting it all the way.

[@arabesquearomas]

@@mycreativeheart4159 I never did. I ended up hiring a tech to come to my house and do it for me! Sending mmy best wishes to you and your kitty. ❤

[@mycreativeheart4159]

@@arabesquearomas thank you for your reply.❤️ I have an appt with a vet tech on Wednesday for her to show me alternative ways to administer the fluids. I'm thinking of going with a smaller needle (22 gauge), a butterfly, and syringes instead of the large bag. I'm an old, medical lab technologist... so needles aren't a new thing for me. It will be finding what works best for my cat. Thank you for the well wishes. Hugs to you and your kitty.❤️

[@arabesquearomas]

@@mycreativeheart4159 Good luck and do keep us posted!

[@elizabethherrera3028]

I was so shaky but once i got the needle in, my cat was so chill. Hopefully tomorrow I will be more chill. Thanks for the help. 😸

[@jenniferross8173]

Thank you! I've viewed lots of videos. None of them showed how to set up the bag initially. The first bag was set up by my vet, this time I was on my own. Thank you for your clear explanation! ❤

[@Heaven_005]

I have dumb question to ask: Why do you have warm up the fluids?

[@ellanina801]

Thank you so much! My Bugsy is nearly 20, and we are hoping this will help him stay more comfortable. They showed me how to do it at the vet’s office, but they weren’t clear about a couple of things, so thankfully, you answered those questions. I’m warming the bag in my lap as I’m rewatching this video. Then, we will be attempting it on our own 😬 🤞🏻. I’ll make sure Bugsy gets some lick treats before next time, too! I think my only worry is if he does end up taking fluids every day, will scar tissue start to build up in the poke place? I’ve worked with animals who got insulin injections, and that was the case. Ps Nimitz is adorable 😻

[@apollostatuary4286]

i like the idrea holding needle in place and pulling the skin. many times i put needle in and kitty got mad because hurting him. and then no liquid was coming out so had to do it again.. it was terrible when that happens. Now i know to rotate needle when fluid is not coming out... also notice the fluids building up. now now i know to pull needle out a little and go in opposite direction...

[@Gwarm]

Thank you so much I have an 18-year-old cat that has a lot of problems and I have to take him to the vet this morning he’s been peeing blood And not drinking or eating this video really put my mind at ease about the possible outcomes thank you so much

[@summonivus5785]

UTI?

[@Gwarm]

@@summonivus5785 No it was kidney failure

[@classicsciencefictionhorro1665]

Your video helped me enormously. I very much appreciate it. The vet tech never mentioned heating the fluid bolus OR that type of treat, which our cat loves. 👃

[@nancyfasolino7607]

Thank you! It was very helpful I was a little nervous but the tip of warming the fluid helped and my boyfriend helped unlock the fluid bag. Thank you!

[@Ivy6887]

Thanks the treat tip helped a lot!

[@SQRH3]

Thank you very much for your video. God bless

[@nancyfasolino7607]

This was very good ! I’m wondering if I will need to give this to my cat if she doesn’t drink enough water due to her Ibd.

[@phosgene2]

good that it was complete and showed bag set up etc. where do they get all these heavily sedated cats for these subq fluids howto videos? lol. they never even react. might need to pick up some of those treats.

[@pamseaberg569]

Thanks for the great tips made me less nervous about doing this.

[@nolan318]

Thanks!

[@skyblue-kj7gk]

Thank you

[@fiddlingglassblower]

We're still newbies at this. We give our cat Brandy fluids once a week, so have only done it 3 times so far. I've seen that about drawing the skin towards the needle, instead of pushing the needle, and always forget to try it to see if it makes it easier. I noticed that the fluid was running very slowly the first time. It was taking like maybe 10 minutes, and we gave up after about 5. The 2nd time though, I had seen something online about moving the line closing aparatus, because the line can get a kink in it. So I closed the other one, further up the line so I could move the one with the roller, and yep, when I moved it, I saw a kink where it had been. You just have to squeeze the 2 edges together until the line is round again instead of flat. I always put a new needle on after, because they say contamination can make its way back into the fluids. Another thing our vet showed us, was to "bleed" the line first, to get bubbles out, as they can cause some discomfort (although not dangerous). I do this each time. It only takes a few seconds. We don't warm the fluids any. Our cat is a peach though. Maybe if we had a problem kitty we would try warming first, to see if that helped.

[@tamsinthai]

Many will be unable to hold the cat on their lap so just place it in a box, carrier. Most other videos I've watched have suggested leaving the old needle on to remind you to change it next time. I needn't warm the fluids. I live in the tropics lol

[@nomadswanderer8393]

Okay I'm just about to do it so wish me luck. I'll be sure to let y'all know how it goes ... 🙏🤞😁 Thank you for the video!

[@lindseypatton6960]

how did it go? i think i have to do this for my kitty but i’m so scared 😢

[@KrisD007]

That’s a calm kitty. My kitty isn’t calm. She used to live me but with the syringe feeding and now this, she's hating me. It breaks my heart.

[@Savannah-ed4rv]

My cat is very very sick too. Is yours doing any better? Is she still with us?

[@donmoore7785]

Aw shucks - sorry to hear that. Makes it so hard for those with sick pets.

[@jillc1999]

Mine hates me right now for this reason as well. But, he's 7 and this isn't our fisrt rodeo. I know he'll eventually forgive and love me again... until next time, anyhow. One thing I do that seems to help is, even though he seems to rather I just leave him alone and seems bothered by my affections, do it anyhow. To let him know I still love him, I brush and groom him more often and for longer. Even though he seems to not want that or appreciate it because I'm on his nerves over the feeding...it makes him understand I love him and hold his grudge for less time.

[@ninaaugusztiny6382]

What is the treat he is licking while you are administering the fluids?

[@deannadove3505]

Never heat that fluid!! You can easily BURN your cat internally!! Just keep it at room temperature.

[@Lucky-wt6fg]

Yes that’s what I thought…..just needs to be at room temp.

[@donmoore7785]

It can be warmed to body temperature - around 98 degrees. The room temp fluid beothers some pets.

[@Mira20153]

I always used a thermometer to control the temperatur. NEVER warm it without, otherwise, yes, you can harm your cat very much!

[@jbfitzwilliam]

Yikes. I have never warmed the bag. Both kidney cats tolerate this well but I will move the bag higher. I’m disabled and very nearsighted so it’s easier to have the bag much lower so I can read it without disturbing the needle placement, but I’ll figure out a way to get this done either way the bag on a flagpole…or at least, hung from the shower curtain rod. 😊

[@snowbunny1343836]

For cats who are anemic, the cold room temp water....especially room temp in my house, would be a freezing shock to the system. Warming it is actually necessary sometimes but, no dont make it hot of course. Thats why she said test the temp on your skin advised by my vet.

[@madisonflowers7055]

Hi! Thank you so much for this presentation! It was so helpful. I have a quick question! what do you do when you give the rest of the fluids in the bag? Like exactly when do you know to stop? When the fluid from the line is empty? Or when it stops dripping?

[@KrisD007]

I stop when the bag reaches the next number bc my cat gets 100ml

[@donmoore7785]

That is related to my question. I give 400 ml per sitting, and will have to switch from one bag to the next. The issue is getting air in the line. When I emptied the bag I was switching from, it let air down the line. I think the best way would be to clamp the line before it empties (didn't think of this) and that would let the least air in. A tip some do not mention is squeezing the sight bulb so it half fills with liquid. I forgot this, and my bulb remained mostly empty as I administered 200 ml from the new bag.

[@jason5409]

​@@donmoore7785400 ml is too much

[@soltanakouider5922]

merci infiniment mon chat with kidney desease on a besoin le vet a refuser de me l expliquer

[@sensruqah9405]

Which one better give through iv line or under skin ? Ans i can do it for poor oral intake? And what type of ivf can be give

[@chelseagarrett7142]

Great tutorial. I was given a prescription for lactated ringers for my cat today. I received a one-liter bag from my vet and she mentioned that the IV bag should be stored in the refrigerator with tubing attached for up to 5 days. This seems like an awful lot of fluid to waste, considering my kookie is to receive 200 mls every other day. The 500 mls bag is only $2 cheaper, so getting the 1 liter is a better buy. Is it safe to use the same bag beyond 5 days?

[@phosgene2]

i don't think it should go in the fridge. at least i was directed not to. if you do, you def have to warm it up to body temp. it would be good to add a line or 2 in the video about safekeeping of the bag and how long it is safe to use.

[@donmoore7785]

Huh - good question. My vet mentioned nothing about refigeration - actually said not to. However, I don't keep my opened bag for more than one day. Thw 1 liter bag is NOT a better buy if you have to throw 40% away. It is a much worse buy.

[@nadiataylor2566]

My cat has stage 4 kidney disease and we need to give him fluid, but he won't eat anymore. Distracting him with treats isn't working, how can I keep him still?

[@mycreativeheart4159]

This is what worked for me... my cat is not food motivated and will only eat one brand of dry kibble. I use the syringe and butterfly method... not the saline bag with the long tubing. Call your vet and set up an appt with a vet tech... get them to show you how to to it on your cat. I also wrap my cat in a towel that has been warmed in the dryer. And I warm up the saline by putting it in a bowl of hot water for 10 min. (Test water temp on your own forearmbefore giving to your cat.) My cat was really squirmy... but this helped to calm her. With the syringe method... you can put the plunger base on the counter and wrap your hand around the barrel, then push the barrel down to the counter... to push the fluids into your cat. Make sure you are holding the butterfly needle secure along with some of your cats fur. It will be uncomfortable for them but it will be over in less than a minute. You are not asking them to sit there (quietly) for 10 min while the saline bag drips. As for food.... it's more important that your cat eats something/anything as opposed to trying to get him to eat KD foods. Lack of food will keep him dehydrated and he'll also get constipation. Keep trying his favorites. I tried "Hatrz Bisque Delectables" food toppers in a pouch (from Walmart) and add water and Restoralax (to help with constipation because of dehydration). My cat will drink this after her regular dry kibble. It took me 6 weeks of trying different food brands, textures, and flavours... before finding our current combo. Some feedback.... as hard as it is for both of you... subcutaneous fluids are the way to extend your cats life comfortably. My cat was diagnosed, out of the blue, 11 months after a healthy check up, no signs or symptoms... with stage 3 KD and give 1-2 years to live based on how quickly it progressed without any signs. Just today... after 4 months of 100cc of subcutaneous fluids, 3 times a week... I had her bloodwork retested. Her values went DOWN by HALF! Creatinine was 360, now 175... Urea was 25, now 10 and in the normal range. She has been downgraded from stage 3 to stage 2... and vet said if things continue like this... she could live 5 more years. Sending you and your cat love and prayers❤❤❤

[@nadiataylor2566]

@@mycreativeheart4159 Thank you very much for this info. I did ask about giving fluids like you suggested when I spoke to the vet and they said a bag would be better, not sure why. I think this method would work best for us as there is no way to keep him still for 10-15min. Our cat also has megacolon which is complicating matters as another major condition we need to manage. He is on Mirataz for 2 weeks to help with his appetite, which seems to be working, although he seems to have gone off water completely. We add lots to his wet food, so he's getting some fluids in. However, I'm concerned once we stop using the Mirataz, that we'll go back to no appetite. We are also giving him Cerenia to try and combat any nausea he might be feeling. I'm utterly heartbroken to see my boy declining like this :-(

[@utubestock8352]

Where do you purchase the subcutaneous fluid for cats? Is it a prescription? Or can we buy it over the counter? Is it the same as the IV fluid used for humans?

[@Savannah-ed4rv]

Yes you need to get it from your veterinarian. Although think with a prescription you can get it from other sources that can be less expensive. Maybe not even told me that someone bought a box of 12 of them from somewhere. Sorry I don't know where they got them.

[@apollostatuary4286]

i have a skrew on wall next to my desk, i attach the bag on it.

[@springchild74]

Teflon coated needle makes me worry about PFAS and heating plastic bag in a microwave or in a boiling water also cause release of toxins in the plastic bags into the fluid. I am a little wary of heating fluids in plastic bags. The amount of trash generated from this necessary procedures is troubling, while convenient, and I wish I would reuse disinfect and reuse needles at home or at least return the needles for sanitation and reuse.

[@aliasyed2649]

I was thinking the SAME exact thing when she said to put it in the microwave. Not only releasing plastic into the fluid, but it’s been documented that microwaved water fed to plants killed them.

[@billyshepard5514]

Where do you get the needles? I see my vet gave me 20 gage

[@classicsciencefictionhorro1665]

Our vet gave us 18 - 1A needles but non-teflon. We are going to CVS later today to see if 1) prescription is needed 2) do they carry teflon ones. I'll try to post what I learn under this comment.

[@billyshepard5514]

@@classicsciencefictionhorro1665 i was able to buy needles online like Amazon.

[@lyndaczika6327]

I can’t remove the needle no matter how hard I try.

[@jessa.3857]

It's just me doing this on my own. Do I need an extra person to do this procedure properly?

[@brendakauffman2222]

One person can do it alone. It's more challenging, but I always gave the subq IV's alone myself.

[@jessa.3857]

@@brendakauffman2222 I was doing it alone but he started getting smart about when I'd give it to him and disappear. He also started to squirm and wiggle his way out while I had the needle in him. I had to stop because it was stressing him out too much. 2 people are def better than 1!

[@claireatw]

You are not alone. We did great the first month and now she is getting smart and nervous and it's becoming impossible even if we are 2 doing it.

[@jessa.3857]

@@claireatw it's probably causing her stress. Be careful.

[@suzanne9622]

@@jessa.3857 Get someone to help you and try putting some high protein food in front of him. The biggest thing is to have him laying in a comfortable bed or towel on a counter or couch that is the right height. I spend a lot of time talking to him and praising and relaxing him before I stick him. Also helps to warm the fluid bag in a big glass with the connection at the top out of the water. Feel bag with your wrist for correct temperature before giving it. If you can relax yourself and your cat and go slowly, it will get easier. Hang the bag high up and a second person can give it little squeezes if you want it to drip faster. I am learning myself and have watched so many videos. It is a training issue and takes time but your cat should relax if you take your time and have some help.

[@coredadventure1]

Okay I just talked to my vet about doing this to my cat there's no way I'm sticking a needle in my cat I just can't do it

[@susannebattenfeld6038]

Did anyone catch the treat she is using to calm her cat?

[@shanahart]

@susannebattenfeld6038 It's Churu.

[@larrydahlberg1342]

What gage needle?

[@nolan318]

She mentioned 18 gage

[@donmoore7785]

18 is common

[@andrewsmith3095]

How to make sure there’s no air bubbles in the line ?!?

[@utaug595]

yes, this is important, big bubbles are bad and the fluid may have to be drained a little before injecting your cat, my vet told me very tiny bubbles are ok.

[@summonivus5785]

@@utaug595 Just need to "bleed" the line a little, meaning let some liquid come out of the needle before you inject.

[@miriamcohen9652]

i thought you're supposed to keep the used needle on the bag until the next time you use it with a new needle, another video said that

[@donmoore7785]

Either way. I do what you suggest, and many others do too.

[@classicsciencefictionhorro1665]

You can do either.

[@miriamcohen9652]

thanks, at this point my 20 year old cat is back to drinking water so i don't have to do this procedure with her@@classicsciencefictionhorro1665

[@gretchenpavkovic9385]

I soak it in a large bowl of hot water from the tap. I would never use boiling water. Better to be safe than sorry.

[@hauntedtoast9610]

My cat gets VERY upset and uncomfortable for the whole process :"(

[@Savannah-ed4rv]

Unfortunately I have a very underweight cat and I'm alone. I don't have anyone to give a treat, she's refusing to eat and drink currently, and my cat certainly doesn't come running to be poked with a needle. This is ridiculous. I'm sorry I have a cat that's hanging by a thread and this is just not helpful to me.

[@donmoore7785]

I am sorry about the condition of your kitty, but otherwise the directions are fine. You need an assistant to help you - that is the only difference. No video is going to give you a way around that fact.

[@Savannah-ed4rv]

@@donmoore7785 Obviously it's better to have two people. My point was the view of the video that it's sc easy. Doesn't matter, because my kitty died not long after I posted this.

[@juliegreen5729]

I'm sorry about your kitty. It isn't easy giving fluids to cats solo.

[@phosgene2]

maybe a heating pad to warm the bag instead of using hot water and/or microwave...

[@angier5775]

Good idea! My cats lay on a heating pad. I’ll try to keep it there during the night before I give to my other cat in the morning

[@donmoore7785]

Yes some people use a heating pad. On high for 20 minutes I believe. Use an infrared thermometer to check temp is 98 degrees before using.

[@jason5409]

I just hang the bag in my bathroom and close the door while a space heater runs and heats up the whole bathroom including the fluid bag. Everything else heated it up unevenly and left cold fluid in the line that I'd waste draining it until the warm fluid came out.

[@Lucky-wt6fg]

Why are you giving your cat daily s.c. Fluids for? Is it I’ll?

[@donmoore7785]

Why are you asking? It isn't relevant to instructing people how it is done.