Iv Fluid Therapy For Cats With Kidney Disease
First iv fluids are used for emergency then for replacing nutrients and finally subcutaneous fluids are used for maintaining hydration.
Iv fluid therapy for cats with kidney disease. Acute renal failure can be reversed if treated early enough. Iv fluid therapy can help keep a cat hydrated when his kidney function isn t what it used to be. The reason for hydrating the cat is kidney disease which is common in. Similarly discovering chronic kidney disease at its very onset will prolong a cat s life.
Subcutaneous fluids are generally only part of treating feline kidney disease. Reasons for iv fluids cats diagnosed with chronic renal or kidney failure don t have a great prognosis but you can help extend fluffy s life with iv fluid therapy at the veterinary hospital and then regular subcutaneous fluid therapy at home. 2013 aaha aafp fluid therapy guidelines for dogs and cats 2013 davis h jensen t johnson a knowles p meyer r rucinsky r shafford h. Fluid therapy for cat kidney disease.
If the sub q fluids improve astro s quality of life talk with your veterinarian about making a gradual transition to a prescription diet for cats with chronic kidney disease these diets help cats feel better and live longer. In this irreversible condition the kidneys no longer effectively eliminate wastes causing a potentially fatal buildup of toxins. A special diet and medications may also be necessary. Most cats with chronic kidney disease feel best when sub q fluid administration is repeated every one to three days.
The body s fluid composition is out of balance such as when blood potassium levels are too high hyperkalemia or too low hypokalaemia. Any cat can suffer from acute kidney failure which is usually caused by the consumption of poisons. But providing fluid therapy in a home environment is a vital part of older cat care for many pets and pet owners and it s truly a lifesaving gift of love to a special pet. With lifestyle changes and treatment cats can live as long as a decade with kidney disease.
Kidney disease in cats is an illness that nearly 30 of senior cats will face. Fluid treatments in general are used to flush toxins from your cat s system. However subcutaneous fluid therapy can make a sick cat feel better and can extend his life. If your cat is diagnosed with a condition that will benefit from fluid therapy your veterinarian can teach you to perform this simple procedure.
Fluid therapy is administered for three purposes during treatment for renal disease. Cat owners can be alarmed to learn their beloved companions have chronic renal failure also called kidney failure. Administering supplemental fluids can benefit cats with a variety of medical conditions. Understanding the stages and signs of kidney disease can help to extend your cat s life and keep them comfortable for as long as possible through this stage of their life.
To begin intravenous iv fluid therapy the vet will give the cat a mild sedative and shave the area around the vein being targeted for injection.