Sub-Q Fluid Therapy for Cats with CRI or CRF

Chronic renal insufficiency, a common and eventually fatal illness among older cats, can be slowed down significantly with Sub-Q fluids. CRI Cats that receive Sub-Q fluids have far better quality of life and usually live longer.

How It’s Done

Owners inject fluids into the scruff of the cat’s neck using a home injection kit comprising an IV fluid bag, tube and needle. While Sub-Q does not repair kidney tissue, CRI cats receiving fluids live longer and feel better.

Although it sounds intimidating, as these pictures indicate, it’s actually quite a simple procedure and a veterinarian can provide guidance and training, working with the owner for the first few injections until the owner is comfortable doing it alone.

Sub-Q fluids are given anywhere from once a week to daily, depending on the severity of the CRI and the cat’s tolerance of fluids. Directly after injection, most cats have either a “camel hump” on their back or a water pouch on their tummy or leg. This can last for up to 24 hours, but may recede more quickly.

Preparations

Ideally, you’ll have a two-person team so that one person can distract the cat with toys, food, or pats while the other does the injection, but the procedure is manageable with one person. When administering Sub-Q fluids at home, first check for holes in the IV bag by gently squeezing it—a hole means that the fluid is contaminated.

Fluids can be heated slightly by running warm water (body temperature) over the bag to make the injection more comfortable for the cat. Fluid should not be warmer than tepid as this could be dangerous, so owners who choose to warm fluids should be very careful not to warm them too much. A microwave should not be used because it heats unevenly.

Hanging the bag high above the cat helps the fluid flow more quickly. Very squirmy cats can be wrapped in a towel to prevent them from accidently dislodging the needle. Staying calm during the procedure will help your cat to stay calm as well.

Have a favourite treat or food on hand to give to the cat during or immediately after the injection to create a positive association with the procedure. Cats that know they will soon receive a reward tend to be better behaved.

Common Mistakes

Mistakes many people make when first administering Sub-Q fluids include accidentally pushing the needle right through and out the other side or jabbing themselves with the needle. Also, if the owner accidentally hits a muscle, the cat will react and the liquid flow will stop. With a bit of practice, the procedure gets much easier and mistakes are less likely.

Getting Rid of Used Needles

Dispose of used needles in a sealed container that is labelled so that no one will accidentally open it up and stick themselves. Needles should never be used more than once, and if the needle becomes contaminated (you accidentally drop it on the floor or the cat squirms and it falls out), start fresh with a new needle.

Further Reading

Information for this article was derived from the Feline CRF Information Center, an excellent resource that provides comprehensive information on CRF causes, symptoms, treatments, and care. For a brief overview of CRI symptoms and treatments, see Symptoms of CRI in Cats and Treating Cats with Chronic Renal Insufficiency.

See How to Give Sub-Q Fluids to Cats for links to demonstration videos.

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