The precise amount for a cat with CKD varies depending on the following factors:
- Your cat’s weight
- Your cat’s general condition
- How many additional fluids your cat needs
Generally, a cat should receive 30 to 50 ml of subcutaneous fluids per 1 kg of body weight. For instance, a cat weighing 4 kg should receive around 120 to 200 ml of subcutaneous fluids a day.
If your cat is in the middle stages of stage 2 CKD or worse, daily subcutaneous fluid injections are recommended. Additionally, if your cat does not consume water frequently, then daily injections are recommended even in the early stages of stage 2 CKD.
However, you should take care not to administer too many fluids at once, as this may cause edema to form under the skin, or result in excessive fluids in your cat’s body that put a burden on their heart and lungs. Therefore, it is better to divide up the injections over 2 to 3 instances over the course of a day to ensure the process is safer for your cat.
Finally, if you plan on administering fluids to your cat consistently, then you need to be on the lookout to avoid electrolyte imbalances from occurring. As such, you should ensure your cat undergoes periodic blood tests and consult with an expert so you have a proper understanding of your cat’s condition and needs.
