Friday, January 13, 2023

Do You Know The Difference Between IV and SubQ Fluid Therapy?

Kidney disease is a common ailment in senior cats. Older dogs can also get kidney disease. The kidneys flush out toxins from the body. When the kidneys aren’t functioning properly, toxins build up in the pet’s bloodstream and can make them feel nauseated and lethargic. Fluid therapy helps flush out toxins and can dramatically improve a pet’s quality of life. Pets generally feel much better after fluid therapy and will often eat and play once they have been hydrated.

Fluids can be administered in two different ways. IV fluid therapy is done at a veterinarian’s office during hospitalization while subcutaneous fluids can be administered by you at home. What’s the advantage of administering fluids at home? Once you learn how to do it, your pet can get the benefits of fluid therapy without the stress of going to the vet’s office. When pets aren’t feeling well, going to the vet can be very stressful. Pet owners can also save considerably on hospitalization costs.

Sometimes IV fluids and hospitalization are necessary for the pet’s well-being. But if pets are managing ok with their kidney symptoms, having the option to administer fluids at home can be life-changing. We did this for our beloved Ariel when she had kidney disease. Has anyone else done SubQ fluids at home?