Electrolyte options?

Hi, I'm preparing my first aid kit to foster bunnies in the spring, and I'm wondering about oral electrolyte formulas in case of dehydration.

I've used Pedialyte in the past, but I find it rather wasteful because I can only find the unflavoured variety in the large bottles, and considering it must be used within 48 hours of being opened most of it is poured down the drain.

I've found recipes online for home-made electrolyte formulas, but I don't know how safe these are.

Opinions? Thanks so much!

Disclaimer: I have cared for buns before (although I'm between buns at the moment). With first aid, I'm not trying to replace rabbit-savvy vet care -- this is just for non-emergency after-hours illness, to keep the bunny comfortable and safe until the vet opens in the morning.

If you're asking about Pedialyte, do I presume correctly that you're from the US?

I believe that in the UK Dioralyte is the safe one to use and that comes in individual sachets- which have to be used within 24 hours so is probably less wasteful.

Maybe a better option might be to get your vet to teach you to do Sub cutaneous fluids (if you don't already know) to help with the hydration aspect. Not sure how that impacts on lost electrolytes though. That could be something else to discuss with your vet prior to needing to know.

Jack's-Jane said:

http://www.vetuk.co.uk/dog-and-cat-...lectade-small-animal-rehydration-powder-p-905

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That's the best thing I've learnt today, thanks!

Sky-O said:

That's the best thing I've learnt today, thanks!

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I think Diorolyte still works out cheaper and I keep both in stock Oh and Diorolyte comes in Blackcurrant flavour and some Buns prefer it.

Yeah, I am in North America. I wonder if I can get Dioralyte shipped, because I like the idea of individual sachets -- I'll look into that.

I am definitely going to speak with the vet about this too. I just like to hear what other bunny people out there have to say first -- that way, I can bring something to the vet beyond just what he and I know. (Because even a rabbit-savvy vet doesn't know it all.)

I'm also planning on asking my vet to teach me subQs, but I haven't had much success with this in the past -- getting vets to trust me and work with me on that level, I mean. I am switching vets, though (right now I'm between bunnies -- this is all in preparation of future bunnies), and my future vet has a great reputation, so I'm optimistic. Even if I can get the vet to teach me subQs, though, I don't expect he'll want to give me the supplies ahead of time -- from what I've heard from other people, it's more like once the rabbit is seen by the vet and diagnosed, then the vet will sell you the subQ pack. But I definitely want something on hand in case the rabbit falls ill when the vet's is closed. Maybe I'm a little paranoid, but it's for good reason: without exaggeration, every time my late rabbit fell ill, it was at the beginning of a long weekend. We do have an after-hours emergency here but not only is it very expensive, it's also not especially rabbit-savvy, and ... well ... without going into details: it's a nasty place that I never want to visit again, if I can help it.

I think you're doing an awesome job of being prepared Far too many owners don't consider things like that.

I think it depends on the vet and the relationship you have with them as to what they are happy for you to have. I have fluids and needles here and am always stocked up with them 'just in case'. I'm very lucky my vet trusts me enough to trust me to administer them (but the very first times we were it was with a bunny with kidney failure so, sadly, I got a lot of practice). Hopefully, if you can establish a good working relationship with yours, then it will pay off

Bio lapis contains electrolytes doesn't it?

Stator said:

Bio lapis contains electrolytes doesn't it?

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Yes