How to Administer Subcutaneous "SQ" Fluids
Hi! I'm Haley, a registered veterinary technician here with Green Valley Veterinary Care. This is Logan, and we are going to demonstrate how to perform subcutaneous fluids on Miss Bella here.
What are some reasons for administering subcutaneous fluids at home?
You might need to administer subcutaneous fluids at home for many reasons, whether it's just dehydration or if your cat has kidney problems. It is something that we can teach you how to do at home to help your cat's hydration status.
What supplies are needed to perform this procedure at home?
If you're doing fluids at home, we will provide you with all of the supplies you need. One of those is a bag of fluids, another is the fluid line that connects to the bag, and then we provide you with multiple needles. We provide enough needles so that you can replace the needle between every administration, ensuring it's not a dull needle, which reduces the reaction from the patient.
Can you explain how to replace the needle?
To replace the needle, you would open your new needle package, twist the old one off, and then twist the new one on. You should not need to replace the fluid line unless it gets dirty for any reason. Typically, we will place the fluid line into the bag for you here in the office.
Where is the best place to administer subcutaneous fluids on a pet?
The easiest place to administer subcutaneous fluids is in the shoulder blade area, where they have that scruff area with a large amount of extra space under the skin. When doing this, you grab the skin and gently raise it to create what's called a tent, providing a nice section for your needle to go into.
How do you insert the needle into the pet?
Once I have that section, I carefully uncap my needle and set the cap down, as we'll put it back on the needle later. Then, you insert the needle at a slightly downward angle, making sure the end of it isn't visible under the fur. I hold it in place so it doesn't move around.
How do you ensure fluid flows through the line?
There are two ways the line might be clamped: either with this roller or a green/blue clamp. If it’s pinching the line, it won't allow fluid to flow, so make sure it's open. If your roller ball is down, it's clamped, so roll it up to allow fluid to flow.
How do you administer the fluids?
We can see we've used this on her already, as we're down to approximately 300 mL left in this bag. We give it a nice squeeze, and as I squeeze, the fluids flow through the line. You can see the skin starting to rise as it fills with fluid therapy. We prescribe the amount and frequency of administration, so you just follow those instructions. Occasionally, release the bag to check how much you've administered. For demonstration, we've given just under 100 mL as it went down one line.
What's the procedure for stopping the fluids?
To stop the fluids, either roll the ball down or clamp the green piece. You don’t have to do both, but you can. When removing the needle, pinch around it before pulling out to close the hole in the skin and keep fluids in.
How do you safely recap and dispose of the needle?
The hardest part is recapping the needle. To do this safely and avoid lacerating yourself, leave the cap on the table and scoop it up with your needle, then push it on. The safest way to dispose of used needles is to take them to a human pharmacy if possible. If not, it's legal to use a water bottle; open it, put your capped needle inside, close it, and dispose of it in the trash.
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