The diagnosis of chronic kidney disease in our cat brought us face to face with our fear of needles. Cat’s with kidney disease often need subcutaneous fluids as their kidney function deteriorates. Of course, if you are here on the hunt for where to buy subcutaneous fluids for cats this is all probably all things you know. So let’s dig into you options of places to buy subQ fluids for your cat.
Veterinary Office
I want to first start with where we started on our journey, our local vets office. When we brought our boy home from the hospital we were charged $20 for a 1,000 mL lactated ringer, IV administrational line, and a handful of needles for administering.
Since his recommendation was 100 mL of fluids 3 times a week I could see this was going to add up fast so after finishing the first bag we turned to ordering our own custom setup from other stores.
Where to Find Subcutaneous Fluids Online
Chewy
This is normally my go to spot for prescriptions the pricing at Chewy is often hard to beat. However, the lactated ringers while it’s way better than the veterinarians office it’s pretty on par with other stores at around $10 per bag.
It’s convenient to get everything in one spot and you can save on shipping if you bundle in your back with other things and get your total to $50. We already get our food and litter shipped monthly so if I didn’t want to invest in case of fluids (a good idea not to do when you aren’t sure yet how well your cat will tolerate.
Walmart PetRX
This is for online you can score a deal at Walmart. For orders of six or more bags each bag will get discounted to $9.08 per bag. As an added bonus you will also get free shipping. Just like Chewy you can also put your fluids on an autoship program as well.
You can either upload a copy of the Rx or give them your vet info and they’ll call to confirm for you.
Stores that Sell Subcutaneous Fluids for Cats
So keep in mind that any pharmacy should be able to fill your pet’s prescription. However, almost none of the pharmacies carry the fluids on stock and will have to order. So be prepared to wait a day or two for your fluids to come in.
Walgreens
So this one made the top of the list because it’s where people often find crazy good deals on a case of lactated ringers. How good of a deal? Like 12 1,000 mL bags for $32 which is crazy good pricing. But like all good things it comes at a cost, you are going to need to work for it.
First step you want get a FREE discount card from here: https://www.discountdrugnetwork.com. This is how people score big savings on a case of lactated ringers. Plus if you are in a rush you can print your card and instantly start using it.
Now I found it best to go in person and when the main pharmacist is on shift. I went during lunch on day and didn’t have much luck. Go with your biggest smile, lots of patience, and don’t give up. This is an unusual ask, not too many working at a human pharmacy have to order lactated ringers. So to help them along you can give them this – NDC #00409-7953-09 or #0264-7750-00. Then make sure to use the discount card you got above to get a better price.
Note that the two lookup codes above are a universal drug code so you can use them at any pharmacy to pull up pricing. Also both those codes are for a case of 12 bags of 1,000 mL so don’t be surprised when the price comes back high it starts to sound a whole lot better when you divide it by 12.
Costco
Not a member? Not a problem! You do NOT have to be a Costco member to use their pharmacy plus they do carry pet medications as well. Also, again like Walgreens they are not used to these requests so I recommend calling ahead. I also secondly recommend calling around to a few Costcos if you have more than one in your area since the pricing can vary wildly by club. If you are a member make sure you sign up for their prescription savings club as well as this can help with some added savings.
When you call if they are unsure how to help you you can try asking for asking for the price of NDC # 0264-7750-00 (Braun-brand, DEHP FREE). Of course, this is not the only brand of lactated ringers that Costco can order via their pharmacy.
Where to Buy Lactated Ringers for Cats without Vet Prescription
Update: Mountain Side Medical Requires an RX now. All US based places require a prescription to get lactated ringers.
So I want to start with my disclaimer that it is printed on the fluids bags that they are intended for RX only. Plus you really only should be giving under veterinarian advisements as there are side effects to fluids if your cat has other underlying condition.
Okay reason number two to not get lactated ringers without a prescription is it’s about double the price you can find elsewhere online. Mountain Side Medical Equipment is the only place I have heard you can get fluids sans a prescription.
Other Subcutaneous Supplies
So the tips and codes above are just covering the bag of fluids your cat needs but that isn’t the whole setup needed to administer the fluids. You will also need to pick up needles and administration lines.
Needles for your Cat’s subQ Fluids
It does vary but a vet typically uses 18G needles and it’s often what you are sent home with if you get subcutaneous fluids from them. However these needles are huge, people often refer to them as harpoons for cats. If you are getting supplies on your own I highly recommend ordering a smaller size.
When shopping you should keep in mind that the higher the number 20G, 21G, etc the small the needle is overall. The plus side to the smaller needle is the poke is much easier the downside is the needle is smaller so less fluid comes out. Some cats not only take the poke better but appreciate the smaller flow since too much too fast can just feel awkward especially if your fluids are not warmed up. One great work around for getting the smaller needle is to look for ultra thin wall needles so the opening in the middle of needle is as big as possible to get as much fluid as possible.
On that note the brand does help as well. Terumo needles are considered the best of the best for your pets. Why? Terumo has a unique double bevel and ultra-thin wall design, making those pokes more comfortable and unnoticeable.
IV Admin Set
Lastly we need to connect the needle to your bag, that’s where the IV Admin Set comes into play. There isn’t a whole lot to know with this they are all pretty generic. I like to go with the longest sets I can buy so we can hang the bag up high when administering to get the flow going faster.
You will want to get an IV Admin Set for every bag of fluids you get it’s something you throw away when the bag is done and you do NOT want to reuse.
Conclusion on Where to Buy Subcutaneous Fluids for Cats
I hope these options help you on your journey with your cat. Combating kidney disease has brought us a lot of highs and lows over the years. Stress of getting supplies or a mountain of medical bills should be an additional worry. Have any other low cost suggestions on where to get fluids please share with us in the comments below? If you find yourself struggling to administer fluids to your cat you can read our tips on giving them to difficult cats.
Hi
This may be an old article but I wanted to leave a comment anyways. I live in Hawaii which poses its own issues related to shipping costs and availability at pharmacies for Sub-Q fluids. I contacted Walgreens they don’t carry fluids. Costco sells box of 12 and I don’t know whether my kitty will be living that long. She has basal cell tumor and chronic kidney disease. So I ended up with Walmart pet RX and with auto ship each 1000 ml bag of lactated ringers is $7 with 5 bags shipping at $35. Total cost is about $17 a bag. Much cheaper than the $32 a bag at the vet clinic.
Thank you! It seems from what I hear everyone has a different experience hunting a good price for fluids. I am sure this will be so helpful to others in your area.
Costco has the substaneous fluids 12 bags for $51. That is close to $4 a bag as compared to vet prices of $30 per bag. Costco also carries the tubing, needles, etc.
Hi, do you need a prescription to purchase at Costco ? I’m a member there .
Thank you kindly
You do need a prescription to purchase at Costco.
Costco has lactated ringers for cats for the $51 (12 1-liter bags) just to clarify. My vet wanted a specific one that she charges $30 per bag for.
Thank you so much for this post! I literally cried when I seen that there is still somewhere that offers sub qu fluids without a prescription. I totally disagree with how veterinary clinics have so much control over certain things, for example the flea treat treatments! Do we not know as pet owners how to properly flea treat our pets! Anyway, thank you so much for this post!!!!! 🤗
Aaaa thanks so much for this! I needed to buy some lactated ringers solution for my foster kittens and I couldn’t find ANYWHERE that didn’t require a prescription. I know in my state you don’t have to have a prescription so I was so frustrated! Thanks to you I found my supplier and love it! Thank you!
Did you use mountain side?
I had a prescription and used Costco as well as my vet when I was in a pinch for need supplies ASAP.
Has anyone used Mountain Side for Lactated Ringers?
Will they sell them without a prescription?
My vet retired when Covid started.
She was getting older, and has toxo too.
I have no way to reach her.
The new vets that bought her out, are not as kind or caring, and lack her experience and wisdom.
They don’t even want to try and help my Little Girl.
I had been using Braun Lactated Ringer’s.
Are all Lactated Ringer the same??
Appreciate any help !! Thank you !!
Also, living in Western PA.
Looking for a vet that knows and truly cares about cats !!
FIV ones too.
I am on disability, but would gladly pay to know something !!
I have tried 3 DIFFERENT vets, 3 different sick cats.
Paid over $1000 for each visit, and they did NOTHING for my babies !!
Now I need fluids for my other baby and have no script.
Thank you !!
Cindy Murray
Yes no script required for Mountain Side. Braun is a very good brand and it is DEPH free which some people are very particular about. But yes in general Lactated Ringers are all the same solution formula. Any of the previous vets you went to should be able to get you a script for your kitties. Also I find getting recommendations from Next-door often very helpful you can also try reading google review of each vet prior to scheduling an appointment.
@Robin Griffin, try https://marchesemedicalsupplies.ca/lactated-ringer-s-injection-usp-1000-ml-30-in-a-box-baxter-jb2324. They don’t require a prescription to order online.
Our (former) vet charges $35 per bag and was NOT happy when I requested a script to obtain the fluids for more reasonable elsewhere.
No Costco in our area, no luck with Walmart, and Walgreen’s were absolutely rude and horrible (for a CAT?? Really?? Why??) and reluctantly ordered and sold one case when I pressed the issue. The second time I ordered, someone called to let me know the case was ready for pick up. When I arrived to pick it up and they checked the order “oh, for a CAT??” they “had made a mistake” and had not been able to obtain a case after all, so sorry. Yeah, sure. I will never purchase anything from walgreen’s again.
We were down to our last two bags and I ended up mail-ordering from Valley Vet Supply. They do require a prescription (which I transfered from walgreens), but it’s still much cheaper than the vet and fast, reasonable shipping.
Yes sometimes its a bit challenging to have the pharmacy tech help you. I would next time try asking to speak to a manager. I know Costco isn’t in your area but they handle pet meds in addition to human at their pharmacy so that helps. Glad you were able to find something that worked out.
Can somebody tell me how do you afford to keep taking their animal into the vet to keep getting blood tests to make sure they still need it I think it’s a bunch of bull how do I get past this
Are you just referring to SubQ fluids? You shouldn’t need bloodwork to address that, it’s largely based on rehydrating your cat. Kidney cats have issues concentrating their urine and they get dehydrated easily, you can pull up their scruff if it doesn’t snap back quickly they need fluids. You can also check their gums for hydration too. But really, once your cat is in Stage 3 they will never not need Subq. If they will continue to tolerate you should keep giving.
Oh and I forgot that she’s 14 years old and I have to get a prescription every time it’s getting expensive
Ask for a prescription for a years worth of fluids the next time you go and get it filled elsewhere. You should also be able to call and get a prescription refilled as long as they have seen your cat in the last 12 months.
Thank you. My vet charges more than $45 for each 1000ml bag. So, I ordered from Mountain Side and received today. The bag did not have words like “Rx only” . It’s made in PA. I hope it’s ok.
Sorry, there is small print “Rx only”.
Great information.
I found a price of $108.00 for 12 1 liter bags
$46.00 73” for 12 admin line
Is this a good price?
I think so anything under $10 a bag is fantastic!
My heart is broken. Mountainside Medical, which I found because of this article and where I got fluids for my cat this past year, now requires Rx/medical license info for lactated ringer solution. Those fluids made such a difference for my beloved 12 year old kitty with CKD. Getting him to the vet doesn’t happen; he’s become impossible to crate (two adults working together are still unsuccessful getting him in the carrier). Sadly, our cat goes wild when we attempt, is so afraid he loses control of his bladder, and injures himself and us. Thus, no Rx for sub-q fluids, which help him immensely. I wanted to let you know that Mountain Side Medical is no longer an option for obtaining fluids without a vet Rx.
@Kara Skinner, yet the information hasn’t changed on this site, I too went to the mountainside website suggested and yes, an Rx is required.
Lucky I only need a few days worth while my cats antibiotics for diarrhea do there thing so Bonanza I’m going, but they are $30 for 1000 bag… WOW!
I am not sure where you live but I know in our area there are several mobile vet options that may make it easier for you to get an RX. Fluids are so helpful I am so bummed they had to change their policy.
@Kara Skinner, I have used mountainside medical for years. On the website it plainly states they DO NOT DELIVER TO CALIFORNIA. I live in Bakersfield California and have all my life. They still sent me my orders. They have even expedited orders due to a medical emergency with my puppies having caught parvovirus and was in immediate need of sub q IV fluids to save them. It doesn’t hurt to place an order and see if it gets mailed out to you anyways. I love my furbabies and if needed I will certainly place an order to see if it gets mailed out to me despite what the website states. I’ve never been denied an order making me think they want the money and really just put that on the website to protect the business. The worst that can happen is they say no. But with my order history living in California I’ve not ever been told no. Best of luck hopefully this helps!
@Kara Skinner, also try https://marchesemedicalsupplies.ca/lactated-ringer-s-injection-usp-1000-ml-30-in-a-box-baxter-jb2324. They do not require a prescription to order online from what I can tell.
@Jill Davis, they are in Canada , they do not deliver to the US
@Jill Davis, They don’t ship to the United States
Nothing wrong with keeping information updating for something that others can use.
Just completed an order from Walgreens (after cvs insisted they couldn’t order it), case of 12 in Seattle, the base price is $86 but I used the singlecare.com discount card and got them for $16.40.
Even at $86 it’s a huge deal over my vets @$17 a bag!
If you get a chance to buy a case, do it. I’ve run out twice now and she’s gone 2-3 days without fluids. I’m stockpiling now💯, and at the end, I’ll donate any left overs. I won’t run out again.