Day 1, Part 2: SQ Treatment

Day 1, Part 2: SQ Treatments

Please read the following documents as primers to understanding SQ treatment and ensure you understand these concepts:

• Medical Treatments

• Sterile Practice - The following items must be kept sterile:

  • Needles

  • Catheters

  • Fluid lines

  • Fluid bags (lines must be capped)

  • Medication vials

• SQ treatment basics

Subcutaneous Treatment Practice

• By Day 2, you should be familiar with Baytril, Polyflex, Reglan, Cerenia, LRS. Know the type of drug, routes and special notes. Go to the Drug Chart page to review these. You should begin studying other medications on the chart as you use new drugs.

• When a is a puppy on SQ vs PO or IV meds?  Dogs larger than ~5 lbs will initially start on SQ medications given under the skin if they are not showing severe symptoms (lots of vomiting, bloody diarrhea). SQ medications can be effective for dogs that are absorbing the medications effectively.

  • Three reasons to switch from SQ to IV:

    • When the puppy is lethargic

    • If the puppy is not absorbing SQ fluids

    • If the puppy has excessive excretion (bloody diarrhea, vomiting excessively)

  • Two main reasons to switch from SQ to PO:

    • If the dog is eating half of a meal or more

    • If the dog is squirming excessively when giving fluids - must also be eating some

• Review standard SQ treatment

  • Baytril, Polyflex, Reglan, Cerenia, and Fluids are the main SQ treatment medications you must be familiar with.

    • Doses for each dog can be found on the Drug Charts and Terminology.

    • What is the purpose of each of these common SQ medications?

    • Know all of the special notes and routes for these medications. What do you think may happen if a SQ only medication is given IV?

      • Answer: The dog is likely to have seizures and/or die from being given a SQ medication that is not meant to be given directly in the blood steam.

Medication Review

• Review/skim through the following information to begin familiarization with medications using the Drug Chart.

  • Types of fluids to be used SQ vs IV 

  • Types of anti-emetics and their strengths 

End of Shift Responsibilities

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