My Kitty Care called Thriving Pets, an online veterinarian supply company to ask about the SQ fluids my cat needs for her CKD (chronic kidney disease). SQ means subcutaneous, injected into my cat’s skin, best around the scruff of the neck. She receives 100ml of the Lacerated Ringers Injection USP daily. When I opened the box from my Thriving Pets order, all 5 bags had clear fluidsbut when she gets fluids at The Veterinarian Clinic of East Hampton, Dr. Turetsky uses a yellow fluid, because it has B vitamins.

Cats with CKD need B vitimams as a supplement because they loose it from urination, and, since cats with CKD don’t eat enough, their diet doesn’t provide adequate B vitamins. That’s when I called Thriving Pets to find out why I can’t buy the lacerated fluids with B vitamins already in it. Sara, a certified vet technician answered my question: first, it’s a legal issue, pharmacies are not allowed to dispense mixed drugs, drugs must be sold separately. Second, B vitamins are light sensitive, so it’s best to add it when ready to use the fluids. That’s why B vitamins are sold in an amber vial. In fact, Sara said that at the veterinarian where she works, they make special little covers for the vials, to protect the B vitamins from light. Using a sock does the trick.
• B vitamins are light sensitive.
• Keeping B vitamins at room temperature is fine.
• Yellow = B vitimams; Pink = B 12.

Thanks Sara.