Saline for nebulizing? How much to use?

[rhapsody]

I've looked everywhere, and I can't seem to find a source for saline.

I've made my own saline before, but that was for abscess soaks, not for inhalation. Can it be applied for nebulizing?

I swung by the pharmacy, and they said that I have to have a prescription to get the nebulizing saline. I saw that there were saline solutions for noses and contact lenses, but they contain other stuff like boric acid.

*Pulls out hair*

 

[RattusNorvegicus]

I was in this exact situation. I called a bunch of pharmacies which didn't have any, and even went to my doctor and asked. Then I got some from my vet for only $6.50. Does your vet not have any?

 

[lilspaz68]

Sadly it has to be sterile saline...sorry hun.

 

[rhapsody]

Grr. Just called the vet, and they don't sell anything over the counter except for some scientifically-formulated dog food. Is sterile saline in the same class as antibiotics, prescription only?

Sadly it has to be sterile saline...sorry hun.

LOL, you should have seen the pharmacist's face when I asked him if nebulizing solution could be made at home. Figured if it wasn't safe for human use, it'd be worse for a far smaller rat. Really confusing though since I found a bunch of do-it-at-home recipes for saline for nebulizing use on children.

My rescue has saline, but I wanted to try finding some on my own. GAH!

 

[RattusNorvegicus]

If you brought your rat in and discussed nebulizing would they give you some?
My vet sold it to me in an IV bag (is that what it would be called?) but I draw it out with needle and syringe. On the bag it says RX only. I wonder if there is a medical supply store around you? Hope you find some soon.

 

[rhapsody]

Not that vet, unfortunately.

Is something like this safe, or should I try to get a prescription elsewhere?

*Grumbles* I had no idea that this was going to be so darn complicated.

 

[jorats]

My pharmacy sells me my ringer's lactate for my cat subq. Maybe if you explained it was for rats maybe they would sell it to you?

 

[lilspaz68]

Not that vet, unfortunately.

Is something like this safe, or should I try to get a prescription elsewhere?

*Grumbles* I had no idea that this was going to be so darn complicated.

That looks to be standard sterile saline 0.9 % is right.

 

[rhapsody]

Gah, not going to worry about the baytril right now. I've got to get some doxy in this little guy's system. Wish me luck.

 

[hopefloats]

That is so odd. I just walk up to the pharmacy and ask for saline. Is it hard to get up there? they dont even question me, just hand me a box of vials and I go on about my way.

 

[rhapsody]

*Scratches head*

I think California has stricter laws about medicines, but don't quote me on that. Compared to other states, we've got some weird rules.

 

[victoria]

I can't get saline or fluids here without a prescription, although I can buy it from the vet. Most pharmacies won't even tell me how much a drug will be without a prescription, which makes it difficult to find out what's cheapest so my vet can write the prescription for it :\

 

[rhapsody]

Okey-dokey, I wrote off nebulizing baytril, BUT it looks like nebulizing just the saline might help my poor boy. Going to pick up some saline from the rescue tonight.

How much saline do I put in the nebulizer?

 

[victoria]

It depends on the size of your medication cup. Mine is 10 cc I think.