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Does your pet have potassium deficiency? Oral potassium supplements for dogs and cats can help you raise potassium levels. Visit Petco to learn more!
Updated on June 19th, 2026
Learn how to care for your cat, recommended diet and grooming care. Find the right food, supplies and equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
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Because fleas are so problematic, flea prevention is essential! Commonly prescribed preventives include oral and topical medications—although injectable flea prevention is available, as well.
Updated on June 19th, 2026
Vet authorized diets are typically needed only when a pet has specific health issues, but learning about how they're different from "normal" foods can help you be a more well-rounded pet parent.
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Read up on tips to keep your pet hydrated with our handy cat water guides.
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0.9% sodium chloride can be given IV. I am wondering if you mean that you are giving the fluids subcutaneously since this is a procedure that is often performed at home. I would recommend contacting your veterinarian before giving any fluids - there are some blood chemistry changes that might make a veterinarian choose one fluid over another so while sodium chloride can technically be given subcutaneously or intravenously it might not be ideal for Symba.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I am sorry Sam is so sick. To answer your questions: 1) I would be cautious to allow a pet owner to travel 6 hours while the cat is attached to IV fluids. We use fluid pumps to administer the right volume of fluids. They would be unable to use a pump in the car due to the need to likely have to plug it in a some point. They do have a battery but in my experience the batteries never last long enough. They could set a drip from the IV fluid bag but cats are sensitive to fluid overload and I would worry that with out a properly trained person monitoring the drips that Sam could receive too much. Maybe the best option would to keep Sam on IV fluids as long as possible and give him some fluids under the skin before he leaves to go to the University hospital. And then may be teach you how to give a 2nd dose under the skin half way to the University. Also he might be fine without fluids for 6 hours, but I am not sure how sick he is 2) IV fluids are just used to provide hydration. There are electrolytes and sometimes sugar int he fluids that in some way can "feed" the pet but it is not appropriate nutrition for a long time. There is Total Parental Nutrition (TPN) which is a white milk substance that is formulated to your pets needs that is given thorough a CENTRAL LINE placed in the animals neck (jugular vein) under anesthesia or heavy sedation. It has to be done sterilally and be kept sterile. It is an expensive option to feed a sick pet. TPN doesn't help the intestinal track stay healthy. Eating and digestive food feeds the intestinal cell lining and prevents shrinking of the lining. It is always best, if possible to geed food through the mouth. TPN has it's place for sure in critical animals. An Esophagostomy tube is a large red rubber tube that is placed under anesthesia in the side of the neck. The animal is feed a blenderized watered down canned food. Feeding this way helps keep the intestines happy, it is easy to place, it is less expensive and pet owners can do it at home when the animal is discharged until eating on their own and it can stay in a long time. 3) There are many ways steroids can be give. They can be given intravenously (dexamethasone, Dex SP), subcutaneously as a long lasting injection (Depo medrol, Vetalog), subcutaneously short term (injectable prednisole), as a pill or it can be compounded in to a liquid. I wish you and Sam the best of luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
You will need to have flavored medications made at a special pharmacy called a compounding pharmacy. Your vet may know of a local compounding pharmacy that may make flavored medications, so I would check with them. If they do not have a suggestion, I have been very pleased with Road Runner Pharmacy ( https://www.roadrunnerpharmacy.com/ ). Good luck! I hope that was helpful and answered your question. Thanks for using PetCoach.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Unfortunately, there are no oral medications (prescription or non) that will help him. The eye probably needs topical medications so you will have to catch him to even try. I would recommend offering him canned cat food so he can eat without much discomfort. If he eats the canned food, maybe you can use it to lure him into the trap. Good luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Yes, your suspicion is right, Antibiotics are likely to be needed. Unfortunately without prescription it is going to be difficult to obtain any antibiotic and we are not allowed to make any prescription through this platform. You can try to see fi they have any antiseptic oral gel/solution designed for animals (like this one https://www.petdrugsonline.co.uk/pet-dent-antibacterial-mouth-gel).
Updated on September 24th, 2025