Why can't I give my dog IV therapy at home. I need an answer NOW please, any vets?

[yellowdog5]

Rita is 13 years old and she is sick, been vomiting from Sat. morning. I thought she was better Sunday but then she threw up again Monday and wouldn't eat much.I took her to a vet (my old vet died and I don't know anyone good). They gave her sub q fluids and Cerenia, and sent me home with her until the blood work is done. That was yesterday. She is still sick, won't eat and drinks very little, the vet says she has elevated liver enzymes and high white blood cell count and wants to give her IV fluids and antibiotics. She said I can't give her the IV at home. Why not? I did it for my old horse before he died. The vet put the needle in and showed me what to do. I want to care for her but she is old and I am not rich, they also want to do a test on her pancreas. Please help me decide what to do! No lectures please, I give my animals the very best care I can.

 

[stardogs]

Not a vet, but ime most vets will only allow owners to give sub-q fluids at home, not IV. Not sure why, probably due to the extra care needed with IVs, but that's been my experience.

 

[yellowdog5]

Thanks, stardogs, I talked to the vet again, and she said it's a lot more dangerous with dogs than horses, we figured out an alternate treatment, I just don't want to leave her in a cage on IV if I don't have to.

 

[~Dixie's_Mom~]

No advice, but good luck, I hope everything turns out okay!

 

[Grab]

Liability if the owner did something wrong perhaps? People can be sue happy. I've no idea. The vet I work for doesn't allow IV fluids at home, but will send home sub-q fluids if requested.

 

[dachshunds4me]

Yeah sub-cu are fine @ home, but for most folks an IV is too risky.
Luckily my husband is a paramedic so we've been able to treat parvo puppies here (after being owner surrendered) and even our little Dachshund Conan when he got into Ibuprofen.

 

[GlassOnion]

Because IV lines have a direct portal into the dogs blood stream and the vet has no control over how that portal is managed and cared for.

 

[yellowdog5]

Thanks everyone, I got antibiotics and more anti vomiting medicine and I'm giving her electrolytes, I hate doing that with a syringe, but she's not drinking enough on her own. I pray she gets OK.

 

[Windsong]

I'm glad you were able to get some good answers as to why not the IV at home and I hope that Rita responds to your current treatment. I'll keep her in my thoughts.

 

[Bigpoodleperson]

I hope your dog feels better soon!! Besides all the other reasons listed, with IV fluids if you arnt careful you could overdose the dog and cause a serious problem or death.

 

[Baxter'smybaby]

I hope things are improving!

 

[yellowdog5]

Thank you everyone!

She is finally much better this morning, she wouldn't eat at all yesterday, but I had some liver I was able to get her to swallow, kept her going with that and electrolytes, and this morning she has her appetite back and is much stronger. I think the medication is doing the trick! Thanks so much everyone for all of your support.