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How to put an IV on a cat. How to put an IV on a cat and dog: rules and sequence

Cats are often prescribed IVs, and since the procedure can take up to several hours, it is most convenient to administer the infusion at home. However, before starting the procedure, it is necessary to acquire knowledge about the procedure for administering the IV and the problems that may be encountered during the process.

Indications for IV drips in cats

The absolute indication for administering an IV to a pet is a diagnosis by a veterinarian. Self-medication and identification of illness at home should not be practiced under any circumstances, because it is extremely difficult to diagnose the disease correctly without having sufficient experience to do so. However, you need to know the key symptoms in order to correctly describe the pet’s condition to the doctor if, due to the distance from the nearest clinic, the owner is unable to show the animal.

So, the most common cases for placing an IV are:

acute poisoning;
renal failure;
dehydration after prolonged diarrhea or vomiting;
the need to recover from anesthesia after surgery.

As a rule, saline solution (average daily dose - 20–30 ml per 1 kg of animal weight) or Ringer-Locke solution is administered using a dropper, and 5% glucose is also administered, however, this drug is prohibited for use in animals with diabetes, and head injuries or seizures, use with caution.

Methods for administering fluids to your pet

There are the following methods of administering fluid using a dropper (or system):

subcutaneously;
intravenously.

For one-time instillation of drugs, systems are placed directly into a vein, and for regular instillation, through a catheter. Let's look at each method of administering 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 begins, 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 located 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 IV needle, which lifts the tube at the desired angle.

In the case of a one-time injection, the procedure can be carried out in the inguinal fold. The dropper is connected only to a needle placed at the withers.

When performing subcutaneous injections, swelling forms at the injection site; this is a normal reaction of the body to the procedure; there is no need to stop the infusion.

To treat my cat, I gave him subcutaneous injections. The cat reacted rather restlessly, but due to the fact that subcutaneous injections can be administered quickly, he tolerated the procedure in the most dignified manner. The injection was performed at the withers, because the cat was lying down and even with all my desire, I would not have been able to gain access to the inguinal fold. I didn’t find anything difficult in the process other than mental anguish. However, a dropper still differs from a simple injection.

My friends had a cat who was sterilized quite late in life, and she suffered from complications. For treatment, doctors prescribed a drip, the drug was administered subcutaneously. The procedure was carried out in the clinic, but in the presence of the animal owner. Doctors installed the system in the treatment room, and then left the owner alone with the animal to wait for the medication to be administered. When inserting a dropper subcutaneously into the withers, the needle can be secured with a band-aid, however, due to the wool, it is not held securely, so the owner must hold the tube with his hand. Fortunately, my friend’s cat had a calm temperament and did not fidget in her 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 drip, the cat, as a rule, fell asleep, but periodically still tried to roll over and had to be calmed down.

To administer the fluid subcutaneously, the skin at the withers is pulled back and an injection is made into the resulting triangle.

Intravenously

When administering intravenous fluids, the drip is placed directly or into a catheter.

A one-time intravenous injection in veterinary clinics is performed using a syringe.

Introduction via catheter

A catheter is a medical instrument, a tube with a needle at the end, inserted into the channels and cavities of the body and providing constant access to the bloodstream. It has central and top ports (valves). The central one is used for long-term administration of drugs, and the upper port may be needed to add the drug during the process of administering a drip or administering a heparin solution to prevent the formation of a blood clot.

The color of the top port cap allows catheters to be differentiated by size

A catheter is placed in 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 tool is installed is 5 days. Thanks to this, administering fluid through a catheter is less traumatic compared to injections into a vein. After all, if this tool is installed, there is no need to constantly subject your pet to painful procedures (injections). The animal will be able to move around with the catheter in its paw, although the instrument may cause minor inconvenience to your pet. Throughout the entire period that the catheter is in the vein, you need to take care of the installation site, not allowing the cat to remove the fixing patch, and also check the paw for swelling and leakage, increased temperature at the installation site and other abnormal symptoms.

Caring for an installed catheter:

daily checking for contamination and removing it;
cleaning the external parts of the catheter with alcohol during the day;
it is necessary to work with the catheter only with clean hands;
change the catheter fixing patch without using scissors;
Disinfect or replace the middle port plug (cover) after each use.

Introduction directly

Installation of a dropper directly without the use of a catheter is carried out when a veterinarian prescribes a one-time infusion or to provide emergency care to an animal. The procedure requires competent preparation in the form of an initial consultation with a veterinarian, and then independent study of video materials. Installing a dropper directly, in the same way as in the case of a catheter, allows you to introduce another drug during instillation without removing the system.

A dropper without a catheter is placed if it is necessary to provide emergency assistance to an animal or for a one-time infusion

Installing an IV for a cat

The basic rule for installing an IV, as with any other medical intervention, is thoughtfulness and sterility.

To fulfill the first rule, determine in advance the location of the procedure: a table with a bedding on which you will fix the pet must be prepared in the room; you need 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 to prevent air from entering the dropper tube.

To maintain sterility, you need to wash your hands with soap and water up to the middle of the elbow, put on disposable gloves and invite an assistant to help.

Remain calm during the procedure: the owner’s feelings are transmitted to the cat.

Preparation for the procedure

To install a dropper you will need:

medicinal product;
tripod for fixing the bottle. Can be replaced with a pendant made from a plastic bag or bandage;
disposable syringe;
system for intravenous infusions (infusions);
alcohol and cotton wool.

When all the components are collected, you can proceed directly to the procedure:

Further actions depend on whether a catheter will be used to administer the medicine or not.

Video: how to assemble a dropper

Inserting an IV using a catheter

To connect an IV to a catheter in an animal's vein, follow these steps:

With the help of an assistant, place the animal on the table, calm it down, secure it by wrapping it with pre-prepared bedding.
Clean the outer parts of the catheter with cotton wool soaked in alcohol.
Fill the syringe with 2 ml of saline solution.
Remove the protective cap from the middle port of the catheter.
Insert a syringe without a 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 introducing 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 your veterinarian to replace the catheter.
2. If the solution goes well, you can continue the procedure.
Connect the system tubing to the catheter.
Open the dropper with the wheel and watch the speed at which drops appear in the plastic container. It should be 1-2 drops per second, depending on the density of the solution; the higher it is, the slower the liquid needs to drip.
If you need to add another drug, fill the syringe with it and inject the medicine into the elastic band (node for additional injections) or into the upper port of the catheter.

Video: how to connect the system to a catheter

Installing an IV without using a catheter

To install an IV without using a catheter, follow these steps:

Completing the procedure

When the liquid begins to flow through the system tube or the required amount remains in the bottle, close the dropper with the wheel and perform the following steps:

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

Possible problems and complications

The most common problem when installing an IV is fluid obstruction. The main reasons may be:

with venous placement - pinching of the pet's paw. The problem is solved by massage and relaxation of the limb;
when installed through a catheter - blood clot formation. The problem is solved by flushing the catheter with saline solution or a mixture of saline solution and heparin (drawn into a syringe at the rate of 5 ml of 0.5 ml of heparin per 4.5 ml of saline solution);
lack of air vent in the medicine bottle. The problem is solved by inserting a syringe needle into the stopper.

After an IV drip, you can observe the following symptoms in your cat:

normal:
- apathy, lethargy;
- accumulation of fluid under the puncture site during subcutaneous injection;
- vomiting (one meal);
- the cat peed itself;
- refusal to eat;
abnormal:
- refusal to drink;
- swollen muzzle;
- swelling of the paws (after an intravenous drip).

If abnormal symptoms occur, stop the drip and contact your veterinarian.

A properly administered drip can help cure your cat or alleviate the symptoms of the disease, so there is no need to refuse to carry out the procedure prescribed by your veterinarian at home.

Share with your friends!

First, a little background.

I was with a friend at the dacha. Her neighbor complained all the time about her cat: she was inadequate, lunged at her feet and scratched until she bled. In general, we have a picture of a psychotic cat. So inadequate and hit on the head. But when we put forward such assumptions, we were told that no, the cat is normal. I couldn’t wrap my head around this until I saw the cat myself.

So, I really love cats. In general, all living creatures, but cats in particular. And if the cat does not have a psychological or mental disorder, then you can always “agree” with it - this is an axiom for me. True, this option does not always suit the cat, but what can you do? In general, I often watch other people’s cats, and during this time the laziest ones began to run after the butterfly, the most scandalous ones became softer, and the tangled ones became more confident (this happened when I was watching three at once). Here are two stories.

Actually, the first story. We decided to see: what kind of cat is this? Their family consists of a mother, father and an adult daughter with her future husband. This information will be needed a little later for analysis. The cat recognizes only the father of the family. In his arms she calms down, more or less stops growling, can lie down and show her belly. But she sometimes scratches even a man. When we entered, I saw how he held her and how calmly the cat reacted. But then she jumped down and took up a rather interesting position: in the center of the room, but under the protection of a small table. My friend and I immediately went up to her and sat down next to her. Immediately, tension rose in the room. They started telling us, almost in a raised voice, that the cat would DEFINITELY scratch us if we made the wrong move. It was impossible to establish contact with the animal in such an atmosphere. But here’s a quick question: do people really not understand that in 90% of cases they themselves provoke an animal by raising their voices? By the way, the cat never scratched us. In general, judging by her gaze, she was interested in only one object - her wife, the mistress of the house. But the long-suffering woman herself only brought her food and treats a couple of times. She placed it next to it and respectfully walked away, preferably to another room. Any approach made the cat noticeably nervous.

So, what can we say from this situation? Fact one: the cat, despite everything, did not feel like an absolute mistress. This was indicated by the fact that she chose a place under protection. A calm, confident cat chooses places approximately at the level of a sitting person and above, or in the very center of the open space of the floor. A frightened or unsure cat hides as far as possible. This cat wanted to control the situation, but at the same time she was not confident in her abilities.

Second, the cat was very spoiled. Why I love these animals, but spoiling them is worse for both them and yourself. Quietly bringing food on your hind legs and walking away just as quietly is not the position of a housewife. And any woman, wife and mother, should put herself in this way in her relationship with pets. Otherwise she may become a victim. I also cannot blame the cat for one simple reason: it’s the same as blaming a one and a half year old child for being spoiled. What's the point? He doesn’t know how to work on himself and is unable to understand why exactly he is wrong.

Third, and most important for explaining this situation, the cat was clearly fighting for the place of the “first lady,” in other words, for the leader, husband, and the one whom she considered the owner of the place and other cohabitants. And now a little about the hierarchy of cats.

Cats do not have a pack or a clear hierarchy. But in cat communities there is always a leader. If the community is closed, then the leader has two or three favorites. All. But when you start to analyze life situations, everything no longer seems so simple.

The fact is that a cat can exist as a full member of the family, without any clear gradation of who is more important. But then it is necessary to approve and clearly define by what rules she lives: she does not bother anyone, receives her portion of attention from everyone, and has the right to a peaceful existence. Some people find it difficult to determine this even with other people, and even more so with animals. But the main danger is the slogan “Let him live like a human being,” which guided this family.

The fact is that the cat “fell in love” with one person and began to be jealous. And, instead of putting her in her place and cooling the ardor by growling or scolding her at the right moment, they began to justify and feel sorry for her. Because of people's self-pity, the cat felt permissive, and even more people began to line up in front of her. But the animal intuitively understands that it cannot capture all the owner’s attention. He still loves his wife. And here I see two ways out. Either the wife defends the status “I am the first lady,” or the owner rather firmly puts the cat in its place, indicating: “My wife is more important to me.”

For the wife it will be a little more painful in such an advanced case, but it is quite possible. She will have to stop bringing food to the cat, feed only on a schedule or call with her voice (a signal that the food is controlled by her and she can use it), and stop avoiding the cat. This will quickly provoke a conflict in which the cat will constantly try to harm. The animal should be immobilized yourself (at least wrapped in a sheet), preferably without causing harm. At the moment of the most acute phase of the conflict, you can simply hiss at the cat. This is as effective as shouting, but is less audible to neighbors. But it is worth remembering that it is important to calm down faster than the cat. That is, you need to be the first to start speaking calmly. Eye contact is also important. It is clear that direct gaze is a threat. But cats have one movement that, in most cases, clearly conveys her attitude. And this, oddly enough, is a wink. One or two eyes - it doesn't matter. Sometime, even look into the eyes of an unfamiliar cat and blink relatively slowly. If they answered you, it means they admitted their peaceful intentions. This is a movement in one way or another. Verified.

It also happens that even an immobilized cat does not respond to a wink and a calm voice (and you better speak as much as possible, even if you have poems by heart, but most importantly - calmly). In this case, you need to hold it as long as you have the patience. A tired cat is not a dangerous cat. Moreover, if you let her out yourself, she will feel her “defeat.” But, most likely, such a confrontation will have to be repeated later. I didn’t need such proof of strength more than three times. After this, you can build friendly relations with the cat according to the usual patterns of play and feeding. In general, you can pamper yourself. But not before the second such clarification of who is stronger in the house. The main thing is that the cat doesn’t get sick from this, so you shouldn’t put further pressure on her, including morally (by shouting for no reason, depriving her of attention, not petting her, pushing her off the sofa, etc.). Act as if nothing had happened. Then the cat will understand that it is her aggression that is the issue, and not the person’s bias. And then she will delight the owners with a completely adequate and calm reaction. Almost everything and everyone...

What can the owner do in this case? It’s tedious, constantly monitoring every case, to protect your wife. As soon as the cat attacks, he remains alone with her and begins to scold her. This is the most painful thing for the cat, as she wants to gain his favor. And then they scold me. Moreover, you can become “offended” and, after scolding, not react to it for about an hour. She lies down next to her - leave or move her away. She purrs invitingly or rubs against her legs - ignore. This is the hardest for loving owners, but for a cat it is quite understandable if carried out immediately after an immediate offense. The main thing is that the punishment is not excessive. Just to show that with such tactics she will not gain his favor, but will only make it worse.

In principle, simple schemes, don’t you think? And it is much easier to spend a month or two on education and open conflict than to live with a petty furry tyrant for years. And then, the Universe forbid, give or throw away the cat, because it is an “ungrateful creature”, “mongrel idiot”, “inadequate fool”, and so on. For me, it’s even more humane to give the cat a couple, but then live with her in peace.

Owners of cats and dogs do not always have the opportunity to visit a veterinary clinic. And in some cases, veterinary help is needed urgently - for example, with. One of the procedures that is resorted to in these cases is installing an IV for a pet. Drugs administered parenterally bypass the gastrointestinal tract and enter directly into the blood. This ensures rapid action of the medicine and prompt stabilization of the condition. Every pet owner can learn how to put an IV on a dog and even a cat at home.

The dropper consists of several parts.

Table 1. Dropper design, explanation of symbols.

The number in the photo	Component name	Purpose of the component
1	A needle that is inserted into a vein	The size depends on the type and age of the animal. For a kitten and a puppy, use the thinnest, “insulin” needles
2	Drop former	A vacuum process occurs inside the container, under the influence of which the liquid is sucked inside
3	Regulating device	Allows you to regulate the rate at which medication enters the body
4	Plastic tubes	Vessels through which fluid moves to the needle

Video - How to assemble the system

Procedure for intravenous infusion

A place for the procedure is set up in the room. A table is suitable for this. The tabletop is covered with a blanket and a disposable diaper. Medicines are prepared as indicated in the instructions. At the site of injection of the drug, the hair is cut off, and if necessary, the area is shaved so that the vein can be clearly seen. The section between the elbow joint and the wrist is most suitable for this.

Then prepare the drip system:

Open the packaging with the device.
Close the roller regulator by moving it to the lower position.
The safety catch is removed from the needle inserted into the bottle, the rubber stopper of the medicine bottle is pierced with the needle, and the entire length is pushed deep into the container.
The bottle with the medicine is hung above the table on a suitable object on the wall (nail, hanger, etc.). It should be located much higher than the countertop.
Squeeze and release the needle reservoir until it is filled with liquid to half its volume.

Release the air by opening the roller clamp until the medicine flows out of the drip system, shut off the system using the regulator.
Check to see if there are any air bubbles left in the system. If they are found, the system is opened again to get rid of the air.
The limb above the elbow joint is clamped with a rubber tourniquet to fill the vein with blood. Additionally, it is necessary to bend the limb at the elbow several times.
A needle is inserted into the vein, parallel to the limb. If the puncture is done correctly, a little blood will appear in the tube, and no swelling will form in the paw when the drug is administered.
The needle is fixed on the paw with an adhesive tape.

Important! You need to ask your doctor how to prepare the medicine and in what dosage to administer it. Violation of these rules may lead to the death of the animal.

After the required dose of medicine is infused, the dropper is closed, and then the needle is carefully removed. A cotton swab soaked in medical alcohol is applied to the puncture site.

Catheter placement

An intravenous catheter (brauncle) is placed when long-term treatment is necessary and a large volume of drugs will be administered.

Installing a catheter has several advantages:

permanent access to a vein with the ability to quickly administer medication in difficult cases;
there is no need to puncture the blood vessel before each administration of the drug;
the presence of a catheter does not limit mobility;
saving time and effort;
absence of pain during subsequent drug administrations;
possibility of collecting blood for analysis;
rehydration of the body.

It is best to entrust the installation of a catheter to an experienced veterinarian. The procedure requires skills in this area.

Catheter device

To install a catheter, you will additionally need the following materials:

clamp;
adhesive plaster on a rag basis;
small sharp scissors (manicure);
bandage or rubber band;
razor.

Catheters are selected by number, depending on the size of the animal.

Catheter insertion

Before installation, in the area of the elbow joint of the animal's forelimb and slightly below, the hair is cut with small scissors and shaved using a machine in order to better see the saphenous vein.

The device is inserted into the saphenous vein. This place is considered the most convenient. There the device lasts the longest and does not cause any inconvenience to the pet.

The catheter is inserted in this order:

Above the elbow, a bandage or tourniquet and a clamp are used to tighten the limb to fill the vein with blood. This should be done with moderate force so as not to damage the blood vessels.
Using small, sharp scissors, a small incision is made in the skin in the middle of the forearm to insert the needle.
At the same time, a catheter is inserted into the limbs. The instrument is inserted at an angle of about 15° until it stops until blood appears in the indicator chamber.
The catheter is removed from the stylet, but not in the reverse order, since then the device will not be installed correctly.
They try to inject saline. If the catheter is installed correctly, there will be no swelling or swelling on the paw.
The device is fixed on the paw using a narrow adhesive tape. During fixation, it is necessary to monitor the tension of the adhesive plaster - it should not be excessive, so as not to disrupt the blood flow in the limb and cause tissue death.
The catheter is flushed to avoid blood clots.

Video - Catheter installation

How is medication administered through a catheter?

The drugs are infused through the brownie in the following order:

The required amount of solution or drug is drawn into the syringe or system.
Unbandage the paw.
Unscrew the white cap, holding the device itself, in a counterclockwise direction.
Open the colored valve.
Connect a syringe with saline solution, press on the piston so that the liquid flows out of the other hole and cleans the device.
Connect the syringe to the hole where the white cap is and inject the solution. If the piston moves without difficulty, you can connect the system and administer the medicine.

Attention! If during preparation it turns out that a clot has blocked the passage, it is necessary to rinse the device several times with saline solution through the hole under the colored valve.

After the procedure is completed, a syringe with saline or heparin is connected to the hole under the colored valve and 1 ml of liquid is injected. This is necessary to remove the blood clot.

Catheter Care

If you do not properly care for the catheter, an infection can enter the body through it. Therefore, it is necessary to observe hygiene rules that will prevent the animal’s condition from deteriorating.

The plugs must be sterile. Do not use plugs whose surface may show signs of infection.
After administering the drug, as well as in the intervals between doses, thoroughly rinse the catheter with saline solution.
The bandage securing the catheter must also be clean. It is changed when it gets dirty.

How to remove a catheter yourself?

If a catheter is installed, you must carefully monitor your pet's condition. In some cases, the device will have to be removed prematurely or without the participation of a doctor. The reason for this is damage, obstruction, leakage of the catheter, pain in the animal or swelling of the limb into which the drug is administered intravenously. The braunula must also be removed if more than 5 days have passed since installation.

They operate in this order:

Cut the adhesive plaster that secures the device.
Carefully remove the adhesive tape from the pet's skin, trying to separate it from the fur (it is convenient to use nail scissors for this).
Smoothly, but as quickly as possible, remove the device from the vein.
A bandage moistened with alcohol, furatsilin solution or hydrogen peroxide is applied to the puncture site.
Bandage the limb and leave the bandage on for an hour.

Attention! Pets do not always calmly tolerate medical procedures, even such painless ones as removing a catheter, and sometimes try to escape. To prevent this from happening, it is better to carry out manipulations with an assistant who will hold the dog or cat.

After removing the brownie, sometimes undesirable consequences appear. The paw may become swollen, red, or blue. The pet begins to limp or bends its paw, whines, and tries to pull it out when they feel the place where the catheter was previously located. Then you can’t do without a visit to the doctor.

If the owner of a cat or dog knows in advance that he will have to remove the catheter himself, then he should ask the veterinarian how to do this, how to treat the wound and how to care for it afterwards.

Subcutaneous infusion

Droppers with saline solution and some other drugs are administered subcutaneously to dogs and cats. This is also called subcutaneous infusion. The safest area for this is the withers.

The drug is administered in the following order:

The cat or dog is fixed so as to gain access to the withers or inguinal fold.
Bring the dropper into working condition and connect it to the bottle with the medicine.
Using your hand, form a triangular fold on the skin in the selected area.
Insert a dropper needle into the base of the formed fold.
Connect the IV.
Open the system.
After administering the required amount of the drug, the system is shut off.
Carefully remove the needle.
Apply pressure to the injection site to prevent the medicine from leaking out.

Video - Subcutaneous drip

The speed of dripping subcutaneously can be maximum, since in this case the solution is absorbed very slowly.

Attention! An amount of the drug not exceeding 20 ml per 1 kg of animal body weight per day is administered subcutaneously. However, with severe dehydration, the dose may be higher - 40–50 ml/kg.

In the place where the drug enters, a subcutaneous bubble is formed. This is normal, since the fluid enters the subcutaneous tissue. It will disappear very quickly.

Thus, the following solutions are administered:

glucose (5%) (if there are no contraindications in the form of chronic diseases, in particular diabetes, behavioral disorders, seizures);
Ringer's solution, Ringer-Locke solution;
saline solution (dripped heated to a temperature of 40–45 ° C).

The disadvantage of this method is that the rest cannot be entered this way. In addition, the drugs act more slowly in this case.

When administering the drug subcutaneously, beginners make mistakes that prevent the drug from entering the body. In the first case, the needle is inserted intradermally, in the second, a through puncture is made, and the solution is poured into the external environment.

Rules for all procedures

It is important that the animal is calm during the procedure. To immobilize animals, you can use special retaining bags, which also serve as carriers. Thanks to the holes in the body, you can access any paw or back.

If the animal is large, additional safety precautions must be taken to avoid injury. For the purpose of prevention, dogs are muzzled and cats are swaddled.

Before carrying out any procedure, the hands of the person performing the manipulations, the skin of the animal, and the instrument must be disinfected.

Video - Rules for treating hands before performing manipulations

When placing intravenous drips in animals, the following rules are strictly followed:

Solutions are warmed to room temperature or slightly warmer before administration. Refrigerated medicine can cause chills in the animal and lead to a drop in body temperature.
The medicine is administered at a rate of 1 drop per 1–2 seconds (unless otherwise indicated in the instructions for the drug). Acceleration can provoke a worsening of the condition - tremors, vomiting.
When administering the drug, care must be taken to ensure that no air gets into the vessel.

Attention! If a cat’s body temperature is below 38–39.5 °C, and a dog’s is 38.5–39 °C, then the tube through which the saline solution passes can be lowered into a container of water heated to 60–70 °C. But you should make sure that heating the drug is not prohibited by the manufacturer.

Complications after IV drip

After the dropper, it is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of the animal. Lethargy, drowsiness, and inactivity are not a reason to panic. This is caused by infusion. There may be no appetite for some time.

Attention! It is important that the cat or dog continues to drink. Liquid products such as milk, broth, water with the addition of glucose solution are allowed.

The following symptoms should alert the owner:

Vomit. It is necessary to pay attention to the composition of the vomit. It is dangerous if it is foam, green mucus or bile. Symptoms appear when the liver and kidneys are dysfunctional. If the vomit consists of food, then there is no cause for concern.
Swelling of the muzzle. This may be an allergic reaction to the components of the drug. Then it is necessary to administer an antihistamine as an injection. If respiratory function deteriorates, Quincke's edema is suspected. To stabilize the condition, prednisolone is administered (dosage - 15 mg per 5 kg of weight).

In any of the above cases, it is necessary to take the cat or dog to the clinic or contact a veterinarian to clarify further treatment.

Placing IVs is a complex manipulation. If possible, the first procedure should be entrusted to a veterinarian or carried out under the guidance of a specialist.

Unfortunately, cats, just like people, are susceptible to various diseases. And their owners often have to deal with the fact that the animal needs intravenous infusion of medications. In this article you will learn how to put an IV on a cat at home.

This procedure is not as simple as an injection in the withers, but if you correctly follow the algorithm of actions given below and do not worry, then everything will go smoothly and the IV will be placed correctly. The recommendations given in this article are also relevant when giving intravenous injections to dogs.

Types of needles for droppers and system kit

The main component of the dropper is the needle. The whole system joins it. Needles can be divided into three main types, which differ in appearance and functionality.:

The classic needle is familiar to everyone. This type of needle is not suitable for cats because... is too large and difficult to fix on the foot.
“Butterflies” are very similar to classic needles, but they are shorter and smaller in diameter, which in turn is more preferable for a cat. There are plastic branches along the edges of the needle, which are used to securely fix the needle. They are used if the dropper needs to be placed once.
Brownuls are peripheral catheters. They consist entirely of plastic and are extremely minimally invasive due to the fact that the catheter can remain in the vein for a long time if the drugs need to be administered more than once.

The system consists of the following components:

Intake chamber. It is a kind of filter that separates air from the drug. It also plays the role of an indicator of the rate of drug administration.
Dispenser. It can be used to regulate the rate of drug infusion.
A transparent rubber tube through which liquid flows.
Additional needle, which must be inserted into the medicine bottle next to the first needle. This is necessary so that air enters the container and thereby allows the liquid to flow out through the tube.

To properly place an IV on your cat at home, you need to follow a few simple rules. It is necessary to ensure the sterility of the needle, hands and area in which the intravenous injection will be made.

The system and bottle with the drug must be securely fastened at a sufficient height above the level in relation to the cat. It is advisable that two people do the drip, as it is necessary to hold and calm the animal. The drug should be at room temperature. Try not to keep the system unsealed for long periods of time to maintain its sterility.

Algorithm for placing an IV

The sequence of actions when placing an IV in a cat at home is as follows:

It often happens that the bottle with the drug does not have milliliter divisions, which are convenient for guiding the dosage of the drug administered to the animal. This is due to the fact that, as a rule, the bottle has dosage divisions for humans, which in turn are significantly larger than those needed by a cat. To accurately calculate the amount of drug that needs to be administered to the animal, you can use a ruler: measure a distance on the bottle that will be equal to the required dose, and make a mark with a marker in the right place;
insert the intake needle into the bottle with the drug, and an additional needle for air nearby. Wait until the intake chamber and the entire system are completely filled with the drug. Make sure that there are no air bubbles in the system with the medicine!
hold down the dispenser to completely stop the flow of medicine;
securely fix the bottle and system above the place where the cat will lie;
prepare the place where you will place the cat. Lay out an absorbent diaper or prepare a tray, because it often happens that the animal needs to be administered a large volume of various drugs at a time, and the cat will want to go to the toilet;
Place your cat comfortably. Try to fix it. It is best to have someone whom the cat is not afraid of hold and calm the animal (for example, the owner);
The injection should be made on the front leg, in the area between the elbow joint and the wrist. The injection site must be carefully trimmed of hair so that the vein can be clearly seen, and treated with alcohol;
You need to tighten a tourniquet over the puncture site, or use a bandage or a special clamp;
To fill the vein with blood, you can bend and straighten the cat’s paw several times at the elbow. The needle must be inserted along the limb, gradually and carefully. At this moment, it is important to hold the pet, because if the skin is punctured, the cat will instinctively try to escape. If the injection was performed successfully, a small amount of blood will appear in the tube;
After this, you need to secure the needle with an adhesive plaster or bandage and adjust the rate of infusion of the drug as necessary.

The cat definitely won't like the drip. This is a lot of stress for your pet. During the infusion of the drug, try to calm the cat in every possible way. Stroke her, talk to her. Try to distract her as much as possible from this unpleasant “execution.” Remember - during the IV drip, the owner's support is extremely important for the cat!

It is worth considering that placing an IV and injecting a cat into a vein at home may be an impossible task for a person encountering this for the first time. It is best to contact a veterinary clinic. The specialist will certainly do everything as needed, thereby saving both you and your pet from unnecessary stress.

If there is a need to repeatedly place a drip, specialists install intravenous catheters. This avoids additional injections, simplifies the process of infusion of the drug, and also protects your pet from unnecessary stress. In addition, with a catheter installed, it is much easier to install an IV.

Unfortunately, IV catheter drips have one drawback. It often happens that the blood in the catheter dries up. In such cases, you should first try to clean the catheter with a heparin solution. If this cannot be done, the clogged catheter will have to be replaced in the clinic.

Conclusion

As you can see, placing an IV on a cat at home is far from the easiest task.. The optimal solution would be to first install a catheter in a veterinary clinic, and then give the cat IVs at home. This will protect the animal from unnecessary injury. In addition, cats feel much calmer at home, which in turn avoids additional stress.

The main thing when placing an IV is to remain calm and do everything as carefully and accurately as possible. After the IV is administered, the cat may feel unwell, refuse to eat, or vomit. Such manifestations are normal. However, if after a drip the animal refuses water, it shows signs of allergic reactions, an elevated temperature, or there is bile in the vomit, you should immediately contact a specialist.

VETERINARIAN CONSULTATION REQUIRED. INFORMATION FOR INFORMATION ONLY.

There are situations when a cat needs intravenous infusions, in other words, droppers. This may be necessary in case of acute poisoning, in case of renal failure, in case of prolonged diarrhea or vomiting, when it is necessary to restore dehydration of the body, after surgery and many other cases. Now in 90% of cases, veterinarians use an intravenous catheter, or branula.

This device is designed so that each time you insert an IV, you do not have to pierce the vein with a needle. The advantages of a catheter are obvious. Once installed, there are no problems during the entire period of drip infusions. The most important advantage of an intravenous catheter is that it actually provides permanent access to a vein. Those. The animal owner himself can install an IV at home. There's nothing complicated about it.

The first rule is that solutions should be at room temperature or warm. Introducing cold solutions to an animal can cause slight tremors and a decrease in overall body temperature. If your cat’s body temperature is already low (for example, after surgery), then you can lower part of the plastic tube through which the solutions flow into a container of water heated to 70-80 °C. As the infusion solution passes through the system, it will heat up, thereby indirectly contributing to an increase in your animal's body temperature.

The second rule is that the rate of administration of drip solutions should be minimal. The optimal speed is considered to be 1 drop per 1-2 seconds. A faster administration can again provoke the animal to tremble, vomit, and a sharp increase in blood pressure with all the ensuing consequences. Do not rush, the process of treating an animal is very responsible. Better reduce the speed of the dropper.

The third rule is to prevent air from entering the animal’s vein, as this can cause a gas embolism. This point scares animal owners the most, and many immediately abandon the idea of installing an IV at home. In fact, if you strictly follow the instructions given here, nothing bad will happen. Even if one small bubble gets into a vein, don’t be afraid. The animal's body is programmed much more efficiently compared to humans and can withstand, without any consequences, even less vicissitudes of fate.

The fourth rule is do not leave the animal unattended. Even the most calm patients, as soon as they feel that control over them is weakening, can suddenly jump up from their seats. The consequences can be quite dire.

Fifth rule - don't worry. Your jitters are transmitted to the animal; they feel much more than you can imagine. Be calm and confident and you will succeed!

Preparing to place an IV in a cat

Prepare a convenient place in your apartment for placing an IV. It is convenient for the cat to drip on the table; you can put a blanket or a disposable diaper on the table. Prepare a bottle (bag) for drip infusion with the required (measured) amount of solution for infusion. Take the drugs for jet injection into syringes in the required dosages, dilute them if necessary. Sign the syringes with filled medications with a marker (name of the drug).

Prime the drip system as follows:

Open the package containing the drip system.
Close the roller clamp by moving it down.
Remove the protective cap from the bottle needle and insert the needle completely into the bottle of infusion solution, piercing the rubber stopper on the bottle.
Hang the bottle with the solution for the dropper above the table on a nail, cabinet handle or other suitable object at a level significantly higher than the table, otherwise the dropper will not drip.
Next, with two fingers, squeeze and release the sub-needle area (lake) several times until it is half filled with the solution.
To release air from the system, open the roller clamp until solution comes out of the system.
Make sure there is no air (air bubbles) in the system. If there are any, then open the clamp again and wait until the air bubble leaves the system.

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Place the cat on the prepared table on its side. If the animal is restless, you may need help.
Unbandage the catheter.
Flush the catheter. The solution for flushing the catheter is prepared as follows: take a 5 ml syringe, fill it with 0.5 ml of heparin, add 0.9% NaCl (saline) to the syringe to 5 ml. To flush the catheter, open the upper valve of the catheter (2), connect a syringe without a needle with a rinsing solution to it and inject 0.5 ml (not the whole syringe, but 0.5 ml), close the valve. If there is no upper valve in the catheter, then the catheter is flushed through a cannula for connection to the drip system (1).
Unscrew the catheter cap (on the side) and connect the drip system cannula (without needle) (1)
Open the clamp and turn on the dropper (3). Adjust the speed of solution administration. The average rate of administration of the solution for a cat is 20 drops per minute, i.e. the administration of 100 ml of solution should take an average of 2 hours.
During the drip, inject additional drugs by squirting into the gum (4) (syringe with needle). All drugs are administered slowly!
When all the solution has dripped, turn off the dropper by closing the clamp (5).
Disconnect the cannula of the drip system from the catheter (1), screw on the catheter cap.
Open the top valve of the catheter (2), rinse the catheter (see point 3). Close the valve.
Bandage the catheter.

Attention! If you have never done this, seek the help of a specialist. Be sure to drip your cat for the first time in the clinic, ask the paramedic or veterinarian to show you how this is done: how to handle the catheter, fill the drip system, regulate the speed of administration of solutions, and inject drugs in syringes. Be sure to check with your doctor which drugs and in what dosages you should administer through a catheter (some drugs, for example, suspensions, etc. cannot be administered intravenously), most drugs for intravenous jet administration must be diluted, for example, with saline (NaCl 0.9%) , therefore, specify which of the prescribed drugs you should dilute, with what solution and in what volume.

As soon as there are no bubbles left, insert the syringe (WITHOUT THE NEEDLE) into the catheter, in the place where you unscrewed the white cap and where you installed the IV. Now you need to press the syringe plunger and inject 0.5-2 ml of liquid in a stream. This will remove the microthromb from the catheter. Don't worry, the microthrombus will not harm the animal. Now remove the syringe, insert the dropper in its original place, open the speed regulator and set the desired speed of solution administration. Let us remind you that the optimal speed is about 1 drop per second. Maybe slower.

If the dropper still does not drip, check the position of the animal's paw. The fact is that the vein into which intravenous catheters are usually placed runs along the outer surface of the front paw. And when a cat presses its paw, the vein is also pinched. The outflow is difficult, the solution cannot enter the vein. The paw should be extended forward.

If the solution still does not drip, check that you have not forgotten to open the air duct in the air removal device.

If nothing works, check if you did everything correctly.