Subcutaneous Fluid Injections - pain at injection site?
 

Hi all ...on Monday when I brought my pups to the vet to check about D, the vet gave them subcutaneous fluids. (as mentioned in my other thread -- he also told me not to feed them for 24h).

One of my pups was fine. The other went way downhill shortly thereafter, screeching in pain. Even worse when I tried to pick him up. I was terrified he might be having some kind of organ failure. He was shaking like crazy. Of course I called the vet immediately-- vet wouldn't talk.

As I've mentioned, I warmed him, comforted him and gave him some Karo, at which point he finally stopped shaking. But still screeched like crazy when I touched his sides. I posted here and basically just kept trying to comfort the pup -- finally, 3 hours later the vet called back and said that his sides were in fact the site of the injections. I wanted that to be a big sigh of relief, explaining the sudden onset of pain, but the vet said the injections "never" cause pain for dogs. Not possible.

The rest you know...the hospital admission, etc. But meanwhile, I started to call around and interview some other vet offices. The all acknowledge that the subcutaneous fluids can cause pain in certain dogs. Yet nobody in our current practice acknowledges this. I did a google search and didn't see anything about after-pain. I was just wondering if anyone here has dealt with this "impossible" scenario.

Thanks.

I have seen several post about their pet receiving sub q fluids. What exactly is that? I know what sub q is but what is the fluid? Was it originally a routine vaccination, hence fluid?

Its like a fluid sack on thier back to prevent them from getting dehydrated. Did you dog eat something bad, because that is how my puppy was when she had pancreatitis:confused: my vet did sub q fluids follwed by just chix and rice for 10 days. No fatty treats anymore.

When mine had this, or any type of injection, he gets very sore. They used really big needles to do the fluids. I hope that your little one will be alright soon.

Lactated Ringers Solution - same as for people but people don't get sub Q fluids. It's given in cases of dehydration and can stimulate appetite. It doesn't hurt dogs or cats because their skin is very stretchy. The temperature of the fluids may be an issue in tiny pets, but warming the pet is a good option.

Also, some pets become fearful of the sensation/weight caused by the fluids but I don't think it's actually pain. And animals experience/tolerate pain at different levels, so it 's very individualized as to how each pet is going to react.

Thank you, that is very interesting. I did go and read up on this. I have never seen this done before, yet I can tell from reading here it is fairly common to these little dogs. ( I have seen fluids given but I have never seen it given sub q like what is described here)

It's less invasive, (no IV), and can help when pets are not critical. They can be given and the pet can go home. With an IV, the pet should be monitored by techs/doctors so they don't chew the IV out, and it doesn't stop or infiltrate.

Correct.

My dog seems to be one of a very small percentile that gets a very painful reaction to this. Three days later and he is still screeching when I touch the site. My other dog got the same sub Q and is running around like nothing happened.

I was just wondering if Yorkies were more prone to this reaction, or if it's totally just weird luck.

In any case...I am so grateful to have him home with me again.

I wonder if he may be allergic to something in the fluids? Or a metal allergy to the needle? Or did I read that they were playing at some point before this all happened? Could he have sustained an injury of some sort?

Thanks...I am sure it came from the injections sites. the doctor even admitted when he palated those exact points the dog expressed pain.

Allergy to metal or fluid...now that could be.

He seems to be improving...slowly.

update, it took about 8 - 10 days after the subQ injections, for the apparent tenderness to go away. But my pup is pretty much back to normal now. Thanks for replies, I hope this post may help other sin the future.

Great news! Glad to hear he's doing better... Just a thought... Lactated Ringers is what is normally used... but if a Tech grabbed a bag containing Dextrose, which should always go IV, by mistake, that would be painful.