Guest anneh Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 I know its not rocket science but I am nervous about probably having to do it for my little 23lb foster dog. She is drinking and now thank God eating just a little but my holistic vet suggested that as she is running a fever she should have the SubQ fluids. Anyone have any advice? Thanks anneh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wilsontrixie Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Ive done it with cats and it works well...my vet said it didn't work as well as it did with cats on dogs... hang the bag from the chandeleir and off you go. it's not that bad...hope it helps... what are you fostering?, it's really small... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MorganKonaAlex Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 I was nervous at first too. I'm giving my 60 lb. grey a half liter of SubQ fluids 3 times a week. The higher you hang the bag, the faster the drip goes. I'm using a pretty large needle so flow isn't restricted. It takes about 10-15 minutes. I warm the bag first in hot water. I hang it. I bring the dog over and gently grab some skin between her shoulder blades. I pull up to make a pocket between skin and muscle. Poke the needle in the pocket and start the flow of the bag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Did the vet show you how? If not, go back and have her demonstrate Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fudge Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 (edited) I was nervous at first too. I'm giving my 60 lb. grey a half liter of SubQ fluids 3 times a week. The higher you hang the bag, the faster the drip goes. I'm using a pretty large needle so flow isn't restricted. It takes about 10-15 minutes. I warm the bag first in hot water. I hang it. I bring the dog over and gently grab some skin between her shoulder blades. I pull up to make a pocket between skin and muscle. Poke the needle in the pocket and start the flow of the bag. I agree, great description of how to do this...also, I would want a technician to demonstrate so you can "see" how it is done. Good Luck...fluids can do wonderful things. Edited October 17, 2007 by Fudge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ripley488 Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 The first time is the worst. It takes no time to get the hang of it. I gave sub-q to an IG for 2 year & he was so easy. The vet kept telling me how lucky I was. I saw her try to train a woman who had a MinPin. The dog wanted no part of the procedure. The stick is the worst part. Once the fluid starts flowing just sit the dog, pet them & talk to them. I tried to make it quality time. Houdini would be very tired afterwards, so I would just cover him up on his bed for a nap. You have to remind yourself you are helping them. Jennifer Watkins Shamrock Greyhound Placement Louisville, KY Quote Jennifer Watkins Shamrock Greyhound Placement, Louisville, KY Greyhound Festival of the Bluegrass -July 19-21, 2013 Holiday Inn/Hurstbourne, Louisville KY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YvetteVal Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 The worst part is the first time you stick the needle in. Afterwards it becomes quite easy. I did my cat for almost 2 years. I hung the bag on my unused excercise bike and just sat on the floor in my bedroom with the cat on my lap where it was nice and quiet. She was a saint about it...I wish I had thought to warm the bag but she never seemed to mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MorganKonaAlex Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 > I wish I had thought to warm the bag but she never seemed to mind. I got that idea from the canine kidney sites. Before I was warming it, I could feel the cold through her skin. > I would want a technician to demonstrate so you can "see" how it is done. Yes, I should have said that. My Vet demonstrated it without the actual stick and then handed the needle to me to try while I was there. I hang the bag from the top of the kitchen cabinets to get a fast flow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimosasmom Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 I had to give subQ fluids to my cat Roscoe who had CRF. The vet showed us how to inject it into his side so he would get a little saddle bag. He didn't like it at all and would hide for days. We didn't see him much and just when he started to trust us again, it was time to catch him and "stick" him again. After about 8 months of it, we decided that quality of life was better than quantity and opted to stop the treatment. We had another 2 years with him and were glad we made our decision. We used to do the fluids in the kitchen and hang the bag from the pantry door. Quote Camille, Mom to Cher and Centeno! Also the kitties: Dash, Tod, and Starburst.Waiting at the Bridge: Bam Bam, Mimi, Mimosa Grove, Magic, Roscoe, Buckwheat, Knick Knack, and Skylar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest CindiLuvsGreys Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 (edited) I tried the fluids with my 12 year old mix. She was an angel, I on the other hand was a wreck. I hung the bag on a doorknob and had my dog lay on her bed. She never gave me a fight but I felt really bad about the size of the needle. I finally had a tech come to my house and give her the treatments. I know they work very well for most people. Just keep in mind that this will help your baby and they are not actually afraid of needles. Edited October 17, 2007 by CindiLuvsGreys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patricia Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 We did fluids for Angel Queenie for 6 months every day. The vet techs had us come in and had us do it there the first time. She tolerated it very well except I did NOT use and 18 gauge needle...I used a much smaller one...smaller poke but it took more time but that was ok...I hated that huge 18 gauge needle. Have the vet or the techs have you do it in the office so that you are comfortable. We did it that way even though I am a nurse...so that Fred would be able to do it while I was at work. Quote Patti-Mommy of Lady Sophia 7-28-92 - 8-3-04... LaceyLaine 8-2-94-12-5-07... Flash Gordon 7-14-99 - 8-29-09... BrookLynne...Pavé Maria... and 18 Bridge Kids. WATCHING OVER US~SOPHIA~QUEENIE~LACEY LAINE~ CODY ANGELO~FLASH GORDON. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest charmsmom Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 If you warm the fluid in hot water, make sure you do NOT let the needle get in the water. The best thing is to seal the whole nine yards in a double ziplock bag so it's watertight. That will keep the equipment sterile and still warm it up. (My kitty had to have subq's too.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LolasMom Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 If you warm the fluid in hot water, make sure you do NOT let the needle get in the water. The best thing is to seal the whole nine yards in a double ziplock bag so it's watertight. That will keep the equipment sterile and still warm it up. (My kitty had to have subq's too.) I hooked the tube and needle to the faucet to insure it didn't get in the water. I also ran a little of the fluid on my wrist (like you would a baby's formula) before injecting it to make sure it was not too hot or cold. Just lukewarm will be the most comfortable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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