Administering Subcutaneous Fluids
This is an instructional handout given to clients to guide them through the process of administering subcutaneous fluid therapy to their pets at home.
Subcutaneous Fluid Therapy
Today, we have recommended that your pet undergo at-home subcutaneous fluid therapy. Fluid therapy is a simple and effective treatment for pets with a variety of medical conditions. Typically, we recommend this treatment for patients with kidney disease or chronic renal failure (CKD) as these patients cannot concentrate their urine and conserve water.
The fluids are administered under the skin between the shoulder blades and absorb slowly over time. This extra fluid helps keep your pet hydrated and facilitates the removal of harmful toxins from the body to prevent uremia.
The goal of subcutaneous fluid therapy is to alleviate uremia symptoms, delay disease progression, and improve and prolong your pet’s comfort and quality of life.
Priming the Line
Remove the fluid bag and fluid drip set from its packaging.
Close the line lock by rolling the clamp down so that it pinches the tubing shut.
Remove the protective covering from the exit port of the fluid bag. This will expose a hole that will accept the pointed end of the drip set. Avoid contamination by not touching the port once it is open.
Remove the cap on the pointed end of the drip set and push it into the open hole of the fluid bag. Do not let the pointed end of the drip set touch anything before inserting it into the port. *Allow some air into the fluid bag so you can easily read the fluid volume.
Squeeze and release the chamber at the top of the drip set until about half full of fluid.
Place the end of the fluid line in the sink and open the line lock to allow fluid to flow through the line. Ensure all the air bubbles have flowed out of the line. Hold the injection port upside down and flick it to get the trapped air bubbles out.
Relock the roller clamp by rolling the lock downward.
Open the protective wrapping on the needle. Do not allow the needle to touch anything once opened.
Remove the protective cap on the end of the fluid line and push the needle on. Lock it into place by sliding the plastic piece up and screwing it over the hub of the needle.
Administering the Subcutaneous Fluids
Hang the fluid bag about 3 feet (1 meter) above the level of your pet’s head.
Pinch the skin between the shoulder blades (making a skin tent) and visualize where you want to place the needle.
Push the needle in firmly with one quick motion at a 45-degree angle. The needle bevel should be facing up.
Let go of the skin tent and unlock the roller lock, allowing the fluids to flow into the subcutaneous space. Take note of the current fluid volume in the bag and note what the volume will be when you are finished. For example, if the bag currently reads 500ml and you are administering 150ml of fluid, you will stop giving fluids when the volume in the bag reaches the 350ml line.
Make slight adjustments to the needle position as needed to allow the fluids to flow as quickly as possible.
When the fluid administration is complete, relock the roller lock and gently remove the needle. Pinch the skin as you remove the needle to prevent any leakage of fluid and help seal the injection site.
