sub cut fluids - did I do something dangerous?

[swampmaxmum]

thanks all and thanks Philip. The vet's nurse thought it was quite funny. But today I did the sub cuts and he got a little hump and I'm sure I did it the same way.

[Philip]

I wouldnt worry.

That happened to me also. I think its probably where there has been some weight loss.

I wasnt always able to feel a lump afterwards. Epsecially with Maddy. Sometimes the fluid disperses more evenly not leaving much of a lump.

There is more space between the skin layers and the tissue beneath as there is less muscle mass.

[swampmaxmum]

the vet's nurse said she doubted it would matter and sometimes when it's hot, with only 50mls you'd not see much of a hump anyhow. This morning I asked OH not to massage him so much and there was only a little hump. I suppose if we did the 100mls in one go it would be a lot more visible.

[Bazsmum]

Good Luck with your next go....hopefully soon you will have confidence in doing this for him! 

[swampmaxmum]

thanks everyone, thanks Mark 

Going to have another go in an hour or 2 before OH goes to work.

[Mark]

It's unlikely you gave intravenously but even if you did, that is what vets do anyway and it's more effective 

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

Try sending Phillip a message cos he woulkd know 

[swampmaxmum]

I rang Vets Now, thanks and spoke to the guy who answered the phone. He said to keep an eye on him and watch out for any odd breathing or behaviour like yowling or distress. Since we did him, he's eaten a little, drunk and wee'd and has walked around normally and I've even had a little purr, so I hope it's ok. They also said are his gums pale (yes, but they are anyhow as he is ill). I feel such a fool.

There is one other possibility which is a worry too which is that it is hot in the flat (28 or so) and Max's back didn't get the hump from fluids because he is too hot and dehydrated so they were very quickly absorbed. The vet's cover tomorrow is a french locum. They don't do sub cuts generally in France, but I hope the senior nurse is on duty so I can ask her. If Max is ok in the morning and it happens again when we do his fluids, I'll have to sort something out.

[Tiggy's Mum]

I've no idea I'm afraid but even if your normal vet is off til Tuesday they will have 24 hour cover so you should be able to ring the vet and check - even if it means ringing Vets Now or whoever covers for them.

[Kay and Penny]

I have no experience of giving sub cut fluids, but commonsense would suggest to me that if it was that easy to do something dangerous the vet would have warned you of the danger, and probably would have prevented you from giving these injections at all

[swampmaxmum]

sorry for new thread but I am so worried. Tonight we did Max's 50mls sub cuts with a syringe and butterfly needle. The needle went in ok into the tent area but the fluids flowed faster or easier than before when we did it. Although the area was being massaged while I fired the syringes, there is usually a little hump. Tonight there was no hump. Nor did any fluid come out the other side. We are so scared that in fact we injected Max with the fluids, not just under his skin but into him. Is this dangerous? I know it is hot today but there should have been a small squishy hump afterwards. Please can anyone help. I emailed the vet but he is off until tuesday.
I've googled but can't find any mention of this anywhere. We are so worried that in trying to help him, we have hurt him.