Subcutaneous fluid therapy is highly effective at managing CKD in cats, but only if the therapy is administered properly. Excessive fluids can cause pulmonary edema, a condition where there is too much fluid in the lungs, hindering the flow of oxygen. This can lead to symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, and strange breathing noises in cats.
Another issue with improper fluid administration is that it may increase blood volume, thereby increasing the pressure placed on the blood vessels in the lungs, causing damage and obstructing the supply of oxygen. This can exacerbate a cat’s breathing issues, cause them to lose their energy, and make it difficult for them to walk around properly due to oxygen deprivation. To make matters worse, it can also stress the cat’s heart and impede their blood flow.
The choice of fluids is also essential, as the wrong substances or improper portioning can cause the cat suffering from electrolyte imbalances. For instance, excess sodium intake may cause an imbalanced distribution of fluids throughout the body and burden a cat’s lungs or heart. On the other hand, a lack or excess of potassium can cause arrhythmia and disturb blood flow to the lungs or heart. In order to prevent mishaps like this from happening, caregivers must periodically have their cats take blood tests so they can monitor their electrolytes and make changes as needed.
Another potential issue is the risk of infection. If the fluids or tools for fluid therapy are not sterilized properly, a cat might suffer from a subcutaneous infection and, in severe cases, pneumonia. Cats with infected lungs may suffer from symptoms such as coughing, a loss of energy, and fever. In order to prevent this, caregivers should meticulously check their equipment to make sure the fluid bags and syringe are properly sealed, and only use syringes and needles once. The syringe should be disinfected with alcohol before use, and the cat should be carefully examined for any signs of edema, redness, or flushing. Fluid bags should be used within 24 hours of opening, and discarded immediately after use.
In order to prevent these issues, caregivers must choose the proper type and amount of fluids to administer depending on their cat’s weight and condition, and administer the fluids slowly over multiple sessions throughout the day, as opposed to all at once. After administering the fluids, caregivers should monitor their cat’s energy levels, ability to walk, breathing, etc. and immediately suspend fluid therapy if they notice any issues.
