How to Give a Cat a Subcutaneous Fluids Injection

Subcutaneous fluid injections are often prescribed for cats suffering from chronic kidney disease, among other conditions. Many cats will require these injections on a daily basis. For these patients, a veterinarian will usually provide a pet owner with the necessary supplies to perform subcutaneous fluid injections at home, which saves money, trips to the veterinarian's office and it makes the cat's life much less stressful. Many pet owners are hesitant to inject their pet, but when done properly, home subcutaneous injections can be easy and stress-free for both cat and owner.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Subcutaneous fluids (Ringer's solution)
• IV line
• IV needles
• Hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol
• Cotton balls or cotton pads
• Large mixing bowl or sink with a stopper
• Hot water
• Blanket or large towel
• Coat hook or coat rack

1. Begin by connecting the bag of subcutaneous fluids to the IV line and capped needle. The veterinarian or a veterinary technician will provide a demonstration on assembly, in addition to demonstrating how to perform the actual injection.

2. Once the fluids are connected to the line and needle, place the bag in some warm water to warm the fluid. This will make the injection process much more comfortable for the pet. Fill the sink with very warm water or fill a large mixing bowl and place the bag inside the warm water. The water may need to be replaced at least once to provide sufficient warming. Complete warming will take about 10 minutes.

3. Replace the existing needle with a fresh, unused needle. Place the old needle inside a safe container, such as a coffee can and deliver the contents to the veterinarian's office for disposal on your next visit.

4. Aiming at the sink, test the flow of the fluid to ensure that there is an unobstructed flow before the injection is performed. Kinks in the tubing can create a slow flow, so troubleshoot before the injection is performed. The flow of fluid is controlled using the tube clamp, which is typically comprised of a rolling wheel that applies pressure to the tubing. Rolling the clamp wheel in one direction will start the flow of fluid, while rolling in the other direction will clamp the tube, stopping the flow.

5. Hang the bag of fluids on a coat rack or a strategically placed coat hook. If not available, place the bag of fluid flat on a surface that's higher than the level of where the pet will be located when the injection is performed.

6. Calm the cat. Relax on a couch or chair and soothe the cat with petting and cuddling. A relaxed, calm cat will be much easier to inject than a scared, frazzled pet.

7. A friend or family member will need to assist for the first couple weeks or until the cat has become accustomed to the injections. Situate the cat in a location where he cannot back up or wriggle away. The corner of a sofa or armchair can be a good location to calm and inject the cat; a windowsill is another good spot.

8. Sometimes, wrapping the cat in a blanket or large towel can be comforting, while providing better control (and fewer cat scratches) if a struggle ensues. The assistant should stand the cat up on his two rear legs and wrap the blanket around the cat's neck like a backwards cape and then lower him into a sitting position. Hold the edges of the towel or blanket in one hand, placed firmly on the cat's back, a few inches below the shoulder blades. If necessary, the other hand should grasp the cat's scruff. In addition to holding the cat in place, this assistant should be calming and soothing the cat during the injection process. Less restraining will be required as the cat becomes accustomed to the injections.

9. Once the assistant has the cat restrained, it is time to perform the injection. Begin by soaking a cotton ball with antiseptic solution like rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. Clean the area where the cat's injection will be given--between the cat's shoulder blades.

10. Using your thumb, pointer finger and middle finger, grasp the skin between the shoulder blades (an area which should be exposed between the assistant's hand on the scruff and the hand on the back) and gently pull the skin up and away from the body, creating a "tent" of skin.

11. Uncap the needle and firmly press the needle into the skin below the pointer finger. Insert the entire needle beneath the skin, and feel for any resistance - resistance indicates that the needle is running into skin or bone. The "tent" provides an area that's free of obstructions, so maintain the tent while inserting the needle.

12. Once the needle is inserted into the skin, release the "tent" and use a finger to apply pressure to the needle at the point where it enters the skin. With your free hand, roll the clamp wheel to start the flow of fluid. Check the small reservoir at the base of the fluid bag to monitor the flow, which should be a steady stream. If the stream is weak or comprised of drips, gently spin the needle or pull the needle out slightly and reinsert. Sometimes, the opening of the needle may be pressed up against tissue or a bone, obstructing the flow. Also adjust any kinks in the tubing. If the flow does not improve, remove the needle, troubleshoot and then try again.

13. Once the needle is inserted beneath the skin, there is little pain or discomfort associated with the fluid injection process. In most cases, the assistant can release their grip on the cat to focus more on comforting, petting and soothing the cat.

14. Once the prescribed amount of fluid has been injected under the skin, roll the clamp wheel into place to obstruct the flow and clamp the line. Once the flow into the reservoir has ceased, gently withdraw the needle from beneath the skin and immediately cap the needle. Leave the needle in place until the next injection, at which time the needle should be replaced with a fresh needle to ensure sterility and sharpness.

15. Using a clean cotton ball or cotton pad soaked with antiseptic solution like hydrogen peroxide, apply pressure to the injection site. This will clean the site and stop the leakage of blood and fluid. It usually takes about 20 seconds for the leakage to stop at the injection site.

16. Soothe the cat and offer a treat following the injection. Sit with the cat for a few minutes and provide positive attention as a reward. Associating the injection process with a positive experience will help to neutralize the negativity associated with the injections.

Tips & Warnings

• Trim a little square of fur between the shoulder blades, where the injection is given. This will make it easier to clean and view the area during the injection process.
• When the needle is inserted, the cat may jump, yowl, flinch or begin to resist, so maintain a firm grip on the cat's skin when performing the injection and try to anticipate this reaction. This typically only occurs for a week or two, until the cat has become accustomed to the injections.
• If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask your veterinarian for advice. The vet and the clinic staff are a wealth of information and they'll be more than happy to answer any questions.
• Insert the needle firmly and quickly into the skin. Hesitating or inserting the needle slowly will be more painful than the quick jab that's experienced when the needle is inserted quickly but firmly.
• Be confident in your skills. Hesitation or a lack of confidence will lead to repeated tries at injecting the cat, which is more painful than properly performing the injection on the first try.
• Cats, unlike dogs, have very thin skin. This makes it easier to accidentally puncture the skin on the other side of the "tent." If the fluid begins flowing out of the surface of the skin, this indicates that the needle has punctured the other side of the "tent," so retract the needle slightly to correct the problem.
• Cap needles when not in use and store in a sharp-safe container, like a coffee can or detergent bottle. Return the used needles to the veterinarian's clinic for disposal on your next visit.

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