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Post by darlene on Jul 24, 2012 20:38:53 GMT -5
Last week when I took Dontae to the vet I really thought that I'd be coming home with supplies to give him sub q. As we know it never turned out that way When I mentioned to my vet about doing sub qs at home,he poo poo'd the idea He didn't think I'd be able to do it I told him people and shelters do it all the time,he didn't see how they did it. I never did persue the conversation at that time. But it has been on my mind since. Personally I believe that giving sub q to ferrets isn't a strong point for my vet. For some reason he isn't able to do it without using a little gas. I have no problem with that,but at the same time if one of my guys ever need fluids regularly,I would like to be able to try and do it myself. So I'm interested in hearing about personal experiences giving sub q's
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2012 20:49:47 GMT -5
I've never given sub-Q fluids to ferrets but have given them to both dogs and cats with no issue at all. It's probably one of the simplest procedures to do. You just tent the skin at the scruff - ferret Scruffs would be very easy, insert a butterfly catheter (these stay in very well) and push the fluids in slowly. I'm always extra careful to get the air bubbles out of the syringe but you it's not like your injecting into a blood vessel anyways so an air bubble isn't going to cause major harm.
What I also do is draw in the syringe first - if you see blood then you know you've accidentally hit a blood vessel and need to re-position. If not you're good to go.
I really don't think there's any danger involved and don't see why your vet has such issues with you doing it!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2012 21:27:14 GMT -5
I would contact silvermarble. I know she knows about this (we had a combo about giving sub Qs). Ah Nevermind, Steph gve you a great explanation
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Post by darlene on Jul 24, 2012 22:05:16 GMT -5
I've never given sub-Q fluids to ferrets but have given them to both dogs and cats with no issue at all. It's probably one of the simplest procedures to do. I really don't think there's any danger involved and don't see why your vet has such issues with you doing it! My vet has said he would have no problem with me doing cats or dogs. I think the fact that ferts can be so squirmy and such is the issue. I've given Baytril (think it was baytril) injections before to Jayla without any problems,all I had to do was distract her.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2012 22:26:17 GMT -5
Giving sub-q to a ferret also counts on the fact that you have either a cooperative ferret or a 2nd person to hold. Otherwise it's really not difficult, your vet should not be sedating them to give fluids.
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Post by Heather on Jul 24, 2012 22:32:37 GMT -5
I've done it a number of times. The problem with a ferret is twofold but it doesn't mean you cannot do it. One is they're wiggly but cats don't exactly lay there and let you do this either. The biggest issue is how tough the ferret's skin is. It just means that you have to have a sharp needle every time. I think that a butterfly catheter would be much simpler than just using a syringe (which is how I did this). It's not difficult but I prefer to use it as a two person working. It just makes it easier but it is very doable. ciao
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Post by darlene on Jul 24, 2012 22:48:14 GMT -5
I really don't believe that my vet would use a bit of iso if he felt it would harm my ferret. It's just a few seconds and that's all.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2012 22:51:29 GMT -5
I'm sorry, that came across in a way I didn't mean it to. I was simply stating that you can easily do sub-q without sedation. I did not mean to imply that your vet was wrong.
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Post by darlene on Jul 24, 2012 23:51:40 GMT -5
Thanks,no harm done. I will admit I got a bit defensive reading your comment. I know he has tried doing fluids without the iso,but hasn't been able to the majority of the time. My conclusion on that was, that doing sub q on ferrets must be one of his weaknesses. But if the time ever arises that one of my ferts needs to have daily sub Q's I still want the option to try it myself. Who knows, if I ever manage to do subQ's on mine,I could show him how it's done Honestly though I'm very happy with my vet and trust him with all my furkids.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2012 0:30:33 GMT -5
The two-person thing is definitely true. I forgot that I always had another set of hands to hold down the cat/dog!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2012 0:39:08 GMT -5
Is there a specific type of liquid used for sub-q fluids? Something balanced with electrolytes?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2012 0:47:42 GMT -5
I've done subq's on dogs but not ferrets. Even on dogs, I would consider it a two man job. I, personally, hate sticking needles into anything. I used to have a diabetic poodle and I never got comfortable giving him injections, but I did it. My nurse daughter doesn't think twice about it. It's always good to have one of those in the family Probably subq's are not your vets strong suit. My vet hates drawing blood. We always cheer her on when she does it:)
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Post by nancyl on Jul 25, 2012 1:07:00 GMT -5
As a general rule you use Lactated Ringer's for SubQs. I used to have a website where I could buy it by the case along with infusion sets. The case of 12 one liter bags plus 12 infusion sets was under $50 including freight. But that computer died and I have no idea who it was now. At the time I had a dog with renal failure and she got 500 cc daily. For the ferrets I usually just get a liter bag from the vet. I use a syringe and a butterfly. Believe it or not you can put 75 ml in ferret's scruff.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2012 3:22:13 GMT -5
Hm, I might look around tomorrow and see if I can find a place to get the materials.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2012 5:03:35 GMT -5
The problem generally isn't getting the supplies, it's getting the needles. Your vet can either sell/give them to you or write a prescription so that another pharmacy will sell them to you.
I have a couple 5's, 10's, a half dozen insulin/TB sized, and a 60ml here "just in case" (That includes people)
My dad taught me the trick to use used 5 & 10ml ones to inject air into plastic fishing lures. If the DNR ever searches my tackle box I'm gonna have some 'splanin to do Lucy!
The only help I can give Darlene is that the needles generally hurt more if you hesitate. Be ready to do it before you start because skin is a lot tougher than you think. And don't reuse needles, they get dull after one poke, and that hurts.
~Kelli
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