Warm the fluids by putting the bag in a container of warm tap water. Since room temperature (at around 72 degrees Fahrenheit) is 30 degrees colder than a cat's normal body temperature, warmed fluids will feel much better to the patient.

It is not necessary to sterilize the skin with alcohol before inserting the needle. 

To insert the needle, pull the skin up on the patient's back around the shoulder blades or just below.  Make a "tent" of the skin and, with the needle parallel to the patient's body, insert it open (hole) side up with a quick, smooth motion into the tent along the long axis of the fold.

A quick stick is less painful than a slow push but be careful not to do it so fast that you lose control or insert it too far.

Once the needle is in place, release the skin tent and open the roller valve on the venoset line. The fluids should begin to flow.  If the drip seems slow, rotate the needle slightly while it is still inserted or gently tent the skin. This will sometimes improve the flow rate. You will begin to see a pouch forming as the fluids accumulate under the skin.  If absorption is slow, gravity may cause fluids to migrate downward, in front of front or rear legs depending upon injection site.  If this happens, fluids will still be absorbed.  There is no problem if a few bubbles of air are injected under the skin, the body will eventually absorb the air.

 

Administering Subcutaneous Fluids

The supplies that are usually needed for giving subcutaneous (sub-Q) fluids are a bag of Lactated Ringer's solution, a venoset, and a needle. These items can be obtained from the shelter when needed for foster animals.  An 18 gauge, one inch needle seems to work well, providing a good flow and little discomfort to the patient.  It is important to use a new needle each time fluids are given.

Remove the tab from the top of the fluid bag and insert the venoset, pushing it in firmly, as far as it will go.

 

 

Remove the venoset and fluid bag from the packaging.

 

Lock the venoset by rolling the wheel valve. This will prevent the fluid from flowing while you assemble the parts.

When the fluids are lukewarm, hang the bag as high as you can. In this illustration, a hook has been installed on the inside of an upper kitchen cabinet door. A clothes hanger also works well and can be used anywhere. Pinch the reservoir to fill it approximately half-full.

Remove the protective cap and twist the plastic fastening nut so that it is loose. Put the needle on the end of the venoset and lock it in place by twisting the fastening nut onto the needle base. Remove the needle cap with a gentle twisting motion. Open the wheel valve and run the fluid through to get rid of the air in the tubing (some bubbles are okay.) Move the valve up or down to verify that the tubing is not restricting the flow where the closed valve was pinching it. Test the temperature by running some of the liquid on your wrist, similar to testing a baby's bottle.

Place the patient in a comfortable position. The kitchen counter is a good level to work at and there is usually something to hang the bag on in the kitchen. The more relaxed and confident you are, the more at ease the patient will be. Though it helps to have a second person to assist, this entire procedure can be done alone. Inserting the needle is the most stressful part of the process. To get the feel for "the stick", it may help to practice first on a fresh turkey or chicken from the supermarket.

Once the required amount of fluids has been administered, close the roller valve, remove the needle from the patient and twist the skin slightly to help seal the needle hole and prevent leaking. Occasionally you may see a tiny amount of blood or pinkish fluids leaking from the needle site. This is normal unless the bleeding does not stop quickly or seems excessive.

If fluids stop running it may be because the needle moved against the skin or underlying tissue.  Do not remove the needle, gently reposition it until the fluids

begin to flow again.  Twisting the needle to change the position of the bevel (hole) may be all that is needed.  If the fluids are running slowly it may be because the lock has pinched the tube.  Move the lock to another place on the tube and squeeze the tube back into shape.

Recap the old needle, replace it with a new one.  To keep it clean, put the fluid bag, leaving the venoset attached, into a zip lock bag.  Store the sealed bag at room temperature.  The next time fluids are given, warm the bag, run out the cooler liquid in the tubing and test for temperature before inserting the needle into the patient.

If cloudiness or discoloration occurs, do not use the bag.  The fluids have become contaminated with bacteria.  If you administer these fluids , a serious infection may occur under the skin.

 

 

 

If the patient is tiny and it’s fluid intake is minimal, fluids can also be administered with these 10cc syringes containing sterile fluids.  These are available to foster caregivers as long as supply lasts.

 NEVER INJECT ANYTHING

BUT STERILE, PREPARED FLUIDS.

The large accumulation of fluid that you see under this cat’s skin will be absorbed in as quickly as 5 minutes when a cat is very dehydrated.  The fluids will be absorbed more slowly if the dehydration is not severe.