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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.
Updated on April 9th, 2026
Read up on tips to keep your pet hydrated with our handy cat water guides.
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.
Updated on June 19th, 2026
Try these kitty-approved frozen treats that can help keep your pet entertained for hours—and maybe even add a little boost of hydration on a hot day.
Updated on October 23rd, 2025
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
Short periods of pedialyte (up to 3 days) are unlikely to cause any adverse effects from the zinc content. If a cat was receiving regular supplementation I would recommend using a veterinary specific brand such as royal canin rehydration support. The electrolyte needs of humans and dogs/cats are very different as they do not sweat like people do and require a different balance of salts
Updated on September 24th, 2025
You can give about 5-10mls every hour with a syringe. Dilute the unflavored PediaLyte with equal parts water. You can also leave the 50/50 solution out in a bowl for her to drink when shebwants. You can try a short fast, about 12 hours, followed by a bland diet fed in small,frequent amounts until symptoms resolve. Transition slowly to her regular diet afterwards. Monitor for lethargy, vomiting, persistent diarrhea, loss of appetite or abdominal pain. These are symptoms that should be addressed by your veterinarian.
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
If she has kidney disease and needs extra fluids than the best way is to give her subcutaenous fluids. Your vet should be able to teach you how to give SQ fluids at home. If she is drinking than you could add some pedialyte to her water in equal parts.
Updated on September 24th, 2025