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Fluid Therapy in Cats
Written By hannah hollinger
Published: 01/06/2017Updated: 01/13/2022
Veterinary reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS
What is Fluid Therapy?
Fluid therapy involves the intravenous or subcutaneous administration of fluid to an animal. This is typically done to replace fluid that has been lost either due to injury or disease. Vets use fluid therapy often, as it is a key part of treating some of the most common medical problems that owners will bring their pets to a clinic for.
Fluid Therapy Procedure in Cats
Fluids are commonly administered to cat intravenously (through a vein), or subcutaneously (under the skin).
Intravenous
To begin intravenous (IV) fluid therapy, the vet will shave the area around the vein being targeted for injection. This will both allow the vet to easily locate the vein and make it more straightforward to attach the IV drip to the cat. The next step is to clean the skin and insert a catheter using a hypodermic needle and tape it in place before attaching the drip. The drip is then connected to a bag of fluid (normally a saline solution), which is elevated above the cat so that it can drain via gravity at a steady pace into the cat's body. Fluid pumps are often needed so we can control the rate of fluid adminstration. When the bag is sufficiently depleted, the fluids are replaced or, if the cat is well again, the catheter is removed.
Subcutaneous
A subcutaneous fluid administration procedure is similar to IV administration, but rather than inserting a catheter into a vein, a needle is used to deliver fluid under the cat’s skin near the spine. The procedure is performed in-office by vets, but is also commonly recommended for at-home administration for cats with chronic health issues, such as kidney disease. It is far less effective than IV fluids and cannot deliver the same amount of fluids. It is not appropriate for those who have acute kidney failure or severe dehydration.
Efficacy of Fluid Therapy in Cats
After having undergone intravenous fluid therapy, the cat should show improvement within a couple of hours. That said, if there is a serious underlying condition it will take time for the cat to fully regain its health, as fluid therapy in this context should be thought of as a management strategy and not a form of treatment. Intravenous fluid replacement therapy is much faster and more efficient than oral replenishment (i.e. simply drinking the water), as it enters directly into the bloodstream with no waiting period.
Fluid Therapy Recovery in Cats
Following the procedure, there will be a period during which the cat is much more alert and energetic than before the fluid therapy. It is important for owners to remember that this is still a recovery stage and they should limit the activity of the cat as much as possible, lest their symptoms return. In the case of injury especially, extra care should be taken to make sure the cat does not re-open their wounds either by biting (which is fixable with an e-collar) or by vigorous activity (which can be mitigated by keeping them indoors). The vet will also most likely want to schedule further visits in order to check the progress of recovery and refill any prescriptions for medication or painkillers. The vet might also wish for the cat to undergo fluid replacement at home, in which case they will provide the owner with instructions and equipment to carry out the procedure themselves.
Cost of Fluid Therapy in Cats
Owners will be pleased to know that the price for fluid therapy can be quite low, with many clinics charging around $100 inclusive of materials and diagnosis. However, fluid therapy is often administered as just one component of a larger treatment plan. Kits for at-home fluid therapy cost roughly $30.
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Cat Fluid Therapy Considerations
Although most fluid therapy procedures go off without a hitch, cat owners should be aware that there are some potential downsides. Pain and general discomfort is the first problem.Much like humans who have injections or give blood there will be residual pain and numbness after the procedure. There is also a slight risk of limb swelling and pain, as if the needle misses or over penetrates the vein, it will deliver the fluids into the surrounding tissues. Although not usually a life-threatening problem, this can be very uncomfortable for the patient. Infection is another risk, as needles that come into contact with dirt and grime can spread bacteria and viruses extremely easily. Fortunately, a competent vet will use a fresh, sterile needle and will takes steps to lessen the risk of an outside infection by cleaning the injection site.
Fluid Therapy Prevention in Cats
Despite many causes of kidney failure being hereditary and therefore almost impossible to avoid, owners can always strive to lessen the risk of their cat becoming dehydrated. Making sure to always have accessible fresh water (especially in summer) and not constantly relying on dry food will keep a cat's fluid intake at a healthy level. If the classic symptoms of dehydration do start to appear (e.g. dry gums, lethargy, and infrequent urination), then taking the cat straight to the vet will help prevent more serious conditions from gaining a foothold.
Fluid Therapy Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
DOMESTIC
Scootie
20 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Not Eating
I have been taking my 20 yr old cat to the vet tech for sub q fluids for his advanced renal disease and because he is so bony I can't manage it by myself. When I took him home after the last fluids he was acting different and wasn't eating or drinking. After about 4 hours he became so lethargic I took him back to the vet's office. While enroute I noticed he had a lump next to the injection site for the fluids. Normally he would become so dehydrated that the lactated ringers would be absorbed within an hour or so. While waiting for the vet, his leg muscles began slight twitching which I had been warned about earlier that this could happen due to his renal disease. The vet took a sample from the lump and found that it was indeed fluid. The vet and I decided he had come to the end of a decent quality of life, so I gave my permission for euthanasia.
After this lengthy description I realize we had been keeping my kitty alive for longer than maybe we should have, but for the end to come so suddenly my question is could the fluids have been improperly injected. I am not looking to blame anyone, after all he was 20 yrs old, but I just didn't expect the end to come so abruptly after a treatment that usually made him feel better.
Thank you for your time.
June 10, 2018
0 Recommendations
Sub Q fluids are very difficult to give incorrectly for a professional, however mistakes do happen in practice; but without knowing more or examining Scootie’s body I cannot say what may have caused him to go down hill so quickly. However, the health of an aging animal with kidney disease many change at any time, especially in the advanced stages. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
June 11, 2018
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Mixbreed
Samantha
4 Months
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Diarrhea
My cat was undergo ivfluids is it okay for her to be on the fluids for 24hours can she get some boost on that period of time? Can she berehydratedfofef 24 hours on IV fluids?
June 5, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Whether Samantha can be rehydrated on fluids over 24 hours depends on the cause of her dehydration, and how long it has been going on. Fluids do tend to make everyone feel better, as being dehydrated can be very hard on the body. Some animals need to be on fluids for days, so 24 hours will be fine for her.
June 5, 2018
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Persian
Fluffy
5 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Weight Loss
Vomiting
Hi, my cat has pancreas inflammation and he was hospitalized for two days to have fluid support. Later, they gave me antibiotics and liver support pills to give him for 7 days. His activity level is better however he vomits alot. I took him to the vet today and his blood results came out where his ALT and AMY was too high. Even higher than the first time i took him to the vet. So the vet requested another hospitalization for him to get sufficient fluid. The thing is, when he was hospitalized the first time his results came out better but when i went for the checkup it was worse. How is that even possible if they gave him fluid the first time??
April 23, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
If Fluffy has an ongoing problem with his liver or pancreas, he may respond to therapy but regress once he is off the therapy. It may be a good idea to have an ultrasound to try and visualize what is causing this chronic inflammation.
April 23, 2018
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Persian
Persian
13 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lethargy
Dry Heaving
Thirsty
Lack Of Appetite
Vertigo
Some Confusion/Neurological
Pain In Stomach
Sad Meow
Possible Blood In Stool
Hard To Fall Asleep
My Cat had blood test/xray and I'm trying to see what the next step is for his condition. He's always been super healthy with a slight heart murmur. His bloodwork has always been perfect until this past week. This past year...I've needed to feed him by hand because he had some teeth taken out and couldn't chew. He's been on the Science Diet A/D and organic canned food from the pet store. He's developed alot of fur balls that I believe are still in his intestines because of the change in Diet from dry to canned food. The vet says he's in the beginning stages of Kidney Disease. I switched his diet to baby food meats but he does not want me to feed him. He has a slight appetite and does try to eat on his own...dry food and baby food. I'm trying to figure out what next test I should consider as I have no funds but want to help my cat. His xray showed alot of gas in the stomach and possible "food or hairball" in 25% of the stomach. The left kidney was englared. He's definitely not acting himself. He's been off Science Diet A/D for a week and his "sad meow" has improved and when I pick him up...you can tell it's not "painful" like it was for him. He is still having stool everyday and urinating and active around the house but also partially despondant. Can you tell me based on these tests....what next tests I should get? Do you think this is Kidney disease? Could the High Bun and Creatinine be due to intestinal bleeding from furball blockages or possible pancreatitis and kidney are working harder? Thank you so much for any help. Blood Tests: ALB: 3.3 g/dl(Range 2.2-4.4); ALP: 39 U/L(Range 10-90); ALT: 51 U/L(Range 20-100); AMY: 1175 U/L(Range 300-1100); TBIL: 0.3 mg/dl(Range .1-.6); BUN: 29 mg/dl(Range 10-30); CA: 10.5 mg/dl(Range 8-11.8); PHOS: 5.7 mg/dl(Range 3.4-8.5); CRE: 2.7 mg/dl(Range .3-2.1); GLU: 116 mg/dl(Range 70-150); NA+: 150 mmol/L(Range 142-164); K+: 4.1 mmol/dl(Range 3.7-5.8); TP: 8.8 g/dl(Range 5.4-8.2); GLOB: 5.5 g/dl(Range 1.5-5.7); WBC: 7.74(Range: 5.5-19.5); RBC: 7.57(Range: 5-10); HGB: 12.9 g/dl(Range: 8-15); HCT: 36.15 %(Range: 24-45); MCV: 48 fl(Range: 39-55); MCH: 17.0 pg(Range: 12.5-17.5); MCHC: 35.7 g/dl(Range: 30-36); PLT: 496(Range 300-800); PCT: 0.58 %; MPV: 11.8 fl(Range: 12-17); PDWs 22.0 fl; PDWc 40.9 %; RDWs 35.2 fl; LYM: 0.70 (Range 1.5-7); MON: .0.18(Range High 1.5); NEU: 6.23(Range: 2.5-14); LY%: 9.8(Range High 100); MO%: 2.4 %(Range High 100); NE%: 80.5(Range High 100); EOS: 0.56(Range: High 1); EO%: 7.3 %(Range: High 100); BAS: 0.06(Range High .2); BA% 0.8(Range: High 100)
April 8, 2018
0 Recommendations
A serum creatinine level of 2.7mg/dL would place him at the top end of stage 2 kidney disease, whilst BUN is within normal limits it is so by a narrow margin; the other blood results seem unremarkable apart from total protein which is slightly elevated but albumins and globulins are within physiological range. Whilst creatinine and BUN are indicators for kidney disease, they are not perfect indications; another test called SDMA (symmetric dimethylarginine) is a renal biomarker specific to kidney function which may help focus your concerns if you are having doubts about the diagnosis. Another test I would recommend would be an abdominal ultrasound to have a look at the left kidney for any abnormalities (as well as the right for good measure) and a general examination of the abdomen to look for any other indicators, masses etc… Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
www.idexx.com/en/veterinary/reference-laboratories/sdma/
April 9, 2018
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tabby
Bella
12 Years
3 found this helpful
3 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lethargic
Confused
Not Eating/Drinking
Hypothermic
She’s lost a lot of weight, not eating or drinking the last 3days and has no energy. She’s been diagnosed by the vet as having severe kidney failure from the blood work, which if not improves, is incompatible with life. How soon will we know if the IV fluids are helping?
March 4, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
3 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. I'm sorry that Bella is having these problems. Typically, we give IV fluid therapy for 48-72 hours, then recheck lab work to see if kidney function is responding. If she does not produce urine, or deteriorates during that time, your veterinarian will be able to guide you in the right decision. i hope that everything goes well for her.
March 5, 2018
Thank you very much Dr King. Feeling slightly hopeful today as her bloods were checked and creatinine levels have come down considerably and ultrasound was clear of any malignancy. Still not eating though, and that is a worry. Fingers crossed. Thank you again.
March 5, 2018
Bella's Owner
Hello just an update to let you know that unfortunately Bella’s condition did not improve and on Wednesday, whilst still on a fluid drip around the clock, Bella’s creatinine levels went up again and we had to take the devastating decision to have her euthanised. At 3.45pm on Wednesday 7 March 2018, Bella left this world whilst I scratched her under her ear and she flicked her tail and chirped intermittently until slowly she faded away. My heart is broken and she’s taken a part of it with her.
March 9, 2018
Bella's Owner
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Siamese mixed
Nano
4 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Kidney Faliure
Kidney Faliure ,Pain
I gave my cat sub q fluid on stomach side ...but after few hours he has severe pain in that fluid filled lump ...it never happened before...,..........................,,.....please need guidance
tabby
Lupin
2 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Swollen Right Leg
My cat Lupin had fluids today for being dehydrated, and I noticed that his from right leg is swollen. He had been getting the fluids a couple times a week for two weeks now and this has never happened. Is it normal for a cats leg to become swollen after getting fluids?
Ragdoll
Snooki
9 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Scratching/Pulling His Fur Out
I have a 9 year old ragdoll, Mr. Snooki, who has been in end stage kidney failure for 9 months; he has about 3% kidney function. About 7 months ago we started providing subq fluids at home, 100 mls every other day, which has given him excellent quality of life; he plays with his toys, slaps the dog until she chases him, etc. The problem is he has recently been scratching/pulling his fur out immediately after his fluids; big clumps all over the floor. He does this for maybe 3-5 minutes then goes and eats his Snooki snacks; why is he doing this?!
