10 Essential Tips For A Successful Infusion Therapy Session

10 Essential Tips For A Successful Infusion Therapy Session 

Infusion therapy is a unique treatment procedure for dogs requiring extra fluid. Dogs that have lost fluids because of trauma, injury, or disease need access to infusion therapy to urgently replace the fluid they have lost.  

Giving dogs fluid replacement orally could pose a significant challenge as oral replacement depends on the digestive system. That is why giving infusion therapy can prove life-saving for any dog.  

The success of infusion therapy depends on the efforts of the vet and the owner of the pet. If you want to be effective in giving your pet infusion therapy, then you need the best help you can get. That is what we are here to assist you with. 

This article explores different tips you should follow so that the infusion therapy for your dog is highly effective. Read on for the best guide on IV therapy for dogs. 

1. Assess The Canine In Advance To Identify Its Infusion Needs 

The most critical step when providing infusion therapy for dogs is assessing them well in advance to identify their needs. Different dogs have different needs when it comes to infusion therapy. It would help if you had the assistance of a vet to examine the dog and its fluid levels. That way, the veterinary doctor can know what procedures and fluids to recommend for the dog.  

Once you are confident that the dog needs IV therapy and you know what fluids are necessary, the next step would be to get assistance from a qualified professional. 

2. Choose A Qualified Professional For The IV Therapy 

Ideally, the vet who recommends IV therapy for the dog would probably be the vet who will perform the procedure. However, this is not always the case. If your vet does not wish to perform the procedure or does not have the facilities to do so, then you should ask for a recommendation on which qualified professional can help you. 

The best way to be sure about the qualifications of an IV infusion therapy professional is by checking whether they are licensed to perform the procedure within your area. You can also evaluate reviews from previous customers so that you can know whether the professional has a record for effectiveness. 

3. Use High-Quality Veterinary IV Supplies 

The difference between successful and failed infusion therapy is the type of supplies you use. Always use high-quality products from the best suppliers in your area if you want your pet to have the infusion therapy it needs. 

4. Sterilization Is Crucial For The Health Of The Dog 

You have probably heard the saying that cleanliness is next to godliness. When it comes to giving infusion therapy for pets, never underestimate the importance of keeping the premises clean and sterilized.  

Sterilization helps keep disease-causing organisms that can transform the infusion therapy into a life-threatening event at bay.  

Here is a bonus tip. When sterilizing the area, you should use non-toxic cleaning agents such as ethanol! 

5. Always Keep Your Dog Calm Before The Session 

Infusion therapy can be disturbing for some dogs. It is important for you to keep the pet calm and relaxed during the whole procedure for it to be effective. Some tips you can use to keep your dog calm include giving it a treat, being present during the procedure, and reassuring the dog verbally.  

It would help if you also kept yourself calm since some dogs can sense your anxiety. You don't want your anxiety rubbing off on the dog and interrupting the procedure. 

6. Restrain Your Dog Before And During The IV Therapy Session 

Some dog breeds are naturally very restless. Restraining your dog can go a long way towards making infusion therapy better. However, you should avoid restraining your dog using extreme measures.  

A gentle restraint or even a hand on the collar can help the dog remain still during therapy. That will help the professional performing the therapy to have an easy time putting all the infusion material in place. 

7. Monitor The Vital Signs Of The Dog As The Therapy Proceeds 

Infusion therapy is regularly a very invasive procedure. Any mistake can lead to undesirable consequences for the dog. That is why you should monitor the dog's vital signs throughout the infusion session.  

Some vital signs you should be on the lookout for include the heart rate, respiratory rate, and the temperature of the dog. If you spot any drastic changes in the dog's vital signs, you should report it to your vet immediately. 

8. Check The IV For Infiltration 

Regularly, the infusion therapy session should run smoothly if everything was configured in place effectively before the procedure began. But that does not mean that you should let it run without monitoring. You should be careful to evaluate the IV for the possibility of bubble infiltration or any ling. Swelling could introduce alien objects inside the dog’s vascular system and lead to even more harm than was there before. 

9. Be Alert For Emergency Situations 

Anything can happen during the infusion therapy session. You should always be prepared for allergic reactions, especially if you are not sure what your dog is allergic to. Most of the telltale signs of an allergic reaction are similar to those of a human being.  

If you see signs such as hives, anaphylactic shock, or difficulty breathing, you should stop the infusion session immediately and consult your vet.  

It is also a good idea to have emergency supplies in hand if the dog experiences any emergency. Some of the types of equipment you should have include gauze, bandages, and EpiPens for allergic reactions.  

10. Effective Post Infusion Care For The Pet 

An infusion therapy session extends beyond the actual procedure. It is vital for you to give your pet the best post-infusion care for the pet to recover effectively. A good idea would be to check the dog for any emergency reactions, clean the area after the procedure, and treat your dog for a job well done. 

Bottom Line 

IV therapy for dogs is instrumental in keeping your dog healthy after losing a lot of fluid. If your pet requires IV therapy, following the tips above will give your dog a better chance of succeeding after the procedure.  

Don't forget the importance of keeping an open channel of communication between you and your vet during the procedure for the benefit of your dog. Open channels of communication will help your vet give you interventions that will benefit the dog before things get worse.  

But don't you worry! Infusion therapy is ordinarily a routine procedure with minimal chances of error. As long as you follow the tips above, you should be good to go!