Setting up an IV drip for a cat

What a significant subject! When your cat is sick, setting up an IV drip for them can be an important procedure. It ensures they receive the care they require by assisting in the direct delivery of fluids and medications into their bloodstream.

Pet owners may find this procedure less scary if they grasp its fundamentals. Even though it might seem difficult, being aware of the procedures can make you feel more equipped. This guide will help you understand what to anticipate and how to help your veterinarian give your cat the best care possible.

Always keep in mind that a professional should handle this. On the other hand, you can assist your cat during their recuperation by being somewhat informed about the process. Let’s examine the crucial procedures for establishing an IV drip for your cat friend.

Indications for IV drips for a cat

A veterinarian’s diagnosis is the only reliable indicator for giving a pet an IV drip. In any case, self-medication and diagnosing the illness at home are not feasible due to the great difficulty of accurately diagnosing the illness without adequate training. If the owner cannot bring the animal to the doctor because of the distance from the closest clinic, it is still vital to be aware of the primary symptoms in order to accurately describe the pet’s condition to the physician.

Thus, the most typical situations in which an IV is set up are:

• Acute poisoning;
• Renal failure;
• Dehydration after prolonged diarrhea or vomiting;
• Need to come out of anesthesia after surgery.

Typically, an intravenous (IV) saline solution (average daily dose: 20–30 ml per kg of animal weight) or Ringer–Locke solution is used, along with 5% glucose; however, this drug is not allowed to be used in animals with diabetes and should be used cautiously in cases of seizures or head injuries.

Methods of administering fluids to a pet

Using an IV (or system), you can administer fluid in the following ways:

• subcutaneously;
• intravenously.

Systems are inserted directly into veins for one-time drug instillations, and via catheters for ongoing instillations. Let’s examine each technique for delivering liquids.

Subcutaneously

An injection into the subcutaneous tissue is considered the most painless compared to the others, but this does not mean that the cat will not resist the intervention. Before the procedure, the animal is placed on its stomach so that the withers are as free as possible. In the space between the shoulder blades and the base of the neck, the fur is pinched together with the skin and pulled up. The needle is inserted into the triangle formed in front of the fingers. For convenience, the pinch is made not across, but along the cat, so that there is more free space for inserting the needle. In this case, the syringe must be positioned at an angle of 90 or 45 degrees to the surface of the skin. To ensure this requirement, an empty syringe is sometimes placed under the dropper needle, which raises the tube at the desired angle.

If only one injection is needed, the groin fold can be used for the procedure. Only the needle that is inserted into the withers is connected to the IV.

There is no need to halt the infusion when performing subcutaneous injections because swelling at the injection site is a typical response of the body to the procedure.

I injected my cat subcutaneously to treat him. Although the cat reacted quite angrily, he underwent the procedure in the most dignified way possible because subcutaneous injections can be given quickly. Because the cat was recumbent and I couldn’t have reached the groin fold with all my might, I administered the injection in the withers. Aside from mental distress, I did not find the process to be particularly difficult. Still, an IV differs from a straightforward injection.

My friends had a cat who was sterilized quite late due to her age, and she suffered from complications. For treatment, doctors prescribed a dropper, the drug was administered subcutaneously. The procedure was carried out in a clinic, but in the presence of the animal"s owner. Doctors installed the system in the procedure room, and then left the owner alone with the animal to wait for the end of the drug administration. When administering a dropper subcutaneously into the withers, the needle can be secured with a bandage, but due to the fur, it does not hold securely, so the owner must hold the tube with his hand. Fortunately, my friends" cat had a calm temperament and did not fidget in my hands, plus a sick animal is by default more lethargic and pliable in response to the will of the owner. Closer to the middle of the dropper, the cat, as a rule, fell asleep, but periodically still tried to roll over and had to be calmed down.

The withers’ skin is pulled back to create a triangle, which is then injected to administer fluid subcutaneously.

Intravenously

The dropper is inserted either directly into the vein or via a catheter to deliver fluids intravenously.

A syringe is used in veterinary clinics to administer a single intravenous injection.

Catheter insertion

A catheter is a type of medical device that is a tube with a needle at the end that is inserted into the body’s cavities and channels to provide continuous bloodstream access. It has upper and central ports, or valves. Long-term drug administration uses the central port, while heparin solution administration during an IV or drug addition may require the use of the upper port to avoid blood clots.

Catheters are distinguished by size based on the color of the upper port cap.

A catheter is inserted into an animal only by a veterinarian. Installation of a catheter at home is carried out only in exceptional cases due to the complexity of the procedure and the risk of infection. The maximum period for which the instrument is installed is 5 days. Thanks to this, the introduction of fluid through a catheter is less traumatic compared to injections into a vein. After all, if this instrument is installed, there is no need to constantly subject the pet to painful procedures (injections). The animal will be able to move with the catheter in its paw, although the instrument may cause minor discomfort to your pet. During the entire period of the catheter being in the vein, it is necessary to care for the installation site, not allowing the cat to detach the fixing plaster, and also check the paw for swelling and leaks, increased temperature at the installation site and other abnormal symptoms.

Maintenance for the implanted catheter:

• daily check for contamination and remove it;
• treat the external parts of the catheter with alcohol during the day;
• work with the catheter only with clean hands;
• change the fixing plaster of the catheter without using scissors;
• disinfect or change the plug (cover) of the middle port after each use.

Direct insertion

When an animal needs emergency care or a veterinarian prescribes a one-time infusion, a dropper is installed directly without the need for a catheter. It is necessary to properly prepare for the procedure by first seeing a veterinarian and then studying the video materials on your own. As with a catheter, you can insert a dropper directly and then administer a different medication during instillation without taking the system out.

For a single infusion or in case an animal needs emergency care, a dropper is used instead of a catheter.

For both pet owners and veterinarians, setting up an IV drip for a cat is an essential skill, particularly in an emergency situation or when treating dehydration and illness. This procedure entails selecting the appropriate fluids, being aware of the appropriate equipment, and making sure the cat is comfortable the entire time. Caregivers can provide vital care that supports their feline friends’ recovery and well-being by adhering to clear instructions and upholding a serene environment.

Installing a dropper for a cat

As with all medical procedures, the most important guidelines for installing a dropper are caution and sterility.

To fulfill the first rule, determine in advance the location of the procedure: a table with a mat should be prepared in the room on which you will fix the pet, good lighting and an object such as a mop or cabinet handle located at a height of 40-50 centimeters from the table to secure the solution. In addition, it is necessary to ensure the optimal temperature of the solution. If for some reason there is no time to warm it up, after collecting the dropper, provide a deep plate with hot water through which the system tube will pass, then the drug will warm up a little before infusion. During the entire administration process, it is necessary to keep the cat under supervision, it is necessary to select the desired speed of administration of the solution and exclude air from entering the dropper tube.

Put on disposable gloves, wash your hands with soap up to the middle of your elbow, and ask someone to help you in order to maintain sterility.

Keep your cool throughout the process because the cat picks up on its owner’s emotions.

Preparation for the procedure

What you’ll need to install the dropper is:

• medical product;
• a stand for fixing the bottle. Can be replaced with a suspension made of a cellophane bag or bandage;
• disposable syringe;
• intravenous infusion system (infusions);
• alcohol and cotton wool .

Once everything is put together, you can start the process right away:

1. Remove the protective cap from the lid of the medicine bottle.
2. Turn it over and fix it at a height of 40-50 centimeters above the intended location of the patient.
3. Treat the rubber stopper on the lid of the bottle with alcohol.

The needle for attaching to a bottle or plastic bag containing a solution, a dropper, a rate regulator, a unit for additional injections, and a needle make up the intravenous infusion system.

1. Lower the rate regulator wheel down until it stops.
2. Insert the perforator into the rubber stopper on the lid of the bottle with the drug.
3. Insert a needle from a disposable syringe or for intravenous injections, which is included with the system, nearby, if the fluid will be administered through a catheter. This is necessary for air circulation.
4. Press the plastic container under the punch 2-3 times. Liquid should drip out of the bottle. Wait until the container is half full.
5. Slowly lift the dispenser ring (speed control wheel), watching how the liquid fills the tube. The task is to prevent air from getting in.
6. Follow the entire path of the liquid along the tube until it begins to pour out.
7. Close the dispenser and check the system for air bubbles.
8. If there are bubbles, open the dispenser again and drain the solution until they are destroyed.
9. Insert the free end of the dropper into the needle that is already in the bottle cap. The dropper can be left in this form until the beginning of the procedure.

Whether or not a catheter will be used to deliver the medication will determine what has to be done next.

Video: how to assemble a dropper

Installing a dropper using a catheter

In order to attach the IV to the catheter in the animal’s vein, do the following:

1. With the help of an assistant, lay the animal on the table, calm it down, fix it, wrapping it with a pre-prepared bedding.
2. Treat the outer parts of the catheter with cotton wool soaked in alcohol.
3. Draw 2 ml of saline into the syringe.
4. Remove the protective cap from the middle port of the catheter.
5. Insert the syringe without the needle into it and inject the solution. A small amount of solution should remain in the syringe to prevent air bubbles from entering the vein. Further actions depend on how well the solution passes:

1. If the usual force when pressing the syringe plunger is not enough, then a blood clot has formed in the catheter. Try to dissolve it by injecting a mixture of heparin and saline into the upper port in a ratio of 0.1 ml of the former to 1 ml of the latter. Repeat the injection of the solution through the middle port. If everything is still the same, then it is best to contact a veterinarian to replace the catheter.
2. If the solution passes well, you can continue the procedure.

Video: how to connect the system to the catheter

Installation of a dropper without the use of a catheter

The following steps can be taken to install a dropper without the need for a catheter:

1. Using the assistant, put the animal on the table, calm, fix it, wrapping in a pre -prepared litter.
2. Break the wool on the paw at the bending site and a little below.
3. Wrap the paw tightly above the bend with a tourniquet or bandage. Wait for a vein swelling.
4. In parallel with the paw, enter an needle for intravenous injections. Better like a butterfly.

Because the butterfly uses the finest needle, there is a lower chance of vein injury.

Completion of the procedure

Once the liquid starts to flow through the system tube or there is still the necessary amount in the bottle, use a wheel to block the dropper and carry out the following steps:

• with the installed catheter – remove the system from it. Cover the middle port of the catheter with a clean stopper, and drip a mixture of heparin and saline into the upper port (0.5 ml of heparin per 4.5 ml of saline is drawn into a syringe at the rate of 5 ml) to prevent blood clots. Bandage the catheter and secure the bandage with a plaster;
• if there is no catheter, remove the plaster securing the tube with the needle, apply a cotton ball soaked in alcohol to the puncture site and remove the needle. Bandage or secure the site with a plaster.

Step	Description
Gather Supplies	Get an IV bag, catheter, tape, and antiseptic wipes.
Prepare the Cat	Gently hold the cat and clean the area where the IV will go.
Insert Catheter	Carefully insert the catheter into a vein, usually in the leg.
Secure the IV	Use tape to hold the catheter in place and connect the IV bag.
Monitor	Keep an eye on the cat and check the flow of fluids regularly.

For cats, setting up an IV drip can be an essential step in making sure they get the fluids and medicine they need. Even though it could seem overwhelming, knowing the fundamentals will make the process easier. To ensure that you and your cat have the least stressful experience possible, set up a peaceful atmosphere and have all of your supplies ready.

Never forget that patience is essential. Because cats can be sensitive to handling, it can be very beneficial to take your time acclimating them to the process. If at all possible, seek the assistance of a veterinary specialist to walk you through the process. Their knowledge can be quite helpful, particularly if this is your first time.

After the IV drip is installed, pay special attention to your cat’s comfort level and response. It is ensured by keeping an eye on them during the process that they stay steady and comfortable. Your pet’s health and well-being will improve as you gain more confidence in administering IV drips with practice and attention.

Video on the topic

Setting up a drip at home

Subcutaneous drip for a cat

How to prepare a drip system for a dog and cat? Important details.

Caring for an intravenous catheter, connecting the system. We put a drip on an animal