First Sub-Q appointment tonight....

Hi,

My cat, Jasmine (14-year old hyperthyroid and recently diagnosed CRF), had her first fluid treatment this evening. The techs got the job done, but it took two of them really holding her. The first attempt resulted in the needle having to be pulled out during the treatment because she literally squirmed right out of their grasp. Watching all this did not do much to inspire confidence that I would be able to handle it on my own. Jasmine has always been rather skittish and certainly quite adverse to most medical visits and prodding/poking. So, I think that for now I'll let the vet do it. I don't recall the type of fluid being used but they did indicate that it contains B-1 and a few other supplements.

They were quite optimistic in that we caught the disease early and feel that it's certainly possible for her to enjoy even up to a few additional years, but I realize that noone can predict the course of CRF. Jasmine has fairly low numbers at this point (creatinine=3, BUN=38). I inquired about phosphorus, which turns out to be in normal limits. Now the next step is to start introducing some prescription food. I was given a few different kinds to try.

Thanks to the many here who have responded to my other thread. I really appreciate all the advice, encouragement, and suggestions. I'll report how things are proceeding along once we see how it goes with some new food and additional sub-Q sessions. For now the vet has suggested once per week.

Hopefully these animals become more accustomed (and more amenable) to this procedure over time, rather than becoming more difficult about having it done. Perhaps some here could report their experience with regards to this concern.

Best,
Keith

Good luck to you and Jasmine. My Ootay lived more than three years after her CRF diagnosis, and it was something else that caused her to leave us for the Bridge, not her CRF. I did sub q at home for her.

At once a week taking Jasmine to the vet may not be too bad, but it will be better for you both if you and she can learn to handle it at home. Would the tech be willing to come to your house once a week for a few weeks to help you get the hang of it?

A restraint bag may be the answer if she is really a struggler but most cats do adjust to the procedure.

One nice thing about doing it at home is you can warm the fluids up. It's the coldness of it at the vets that most cats are bothered by, I think. Warming the bag makes a huge difference.

Knowing how to give sub q is a useful skill to have.

Keep us posted on Jasmine.

Hi Otto,

Thanks so much for the reply. I'm pretty sure the animal hospital where I go does not send out techs in the manner you suggested. And, the fluid was warmed prior to them bringing it out. I will certainly watch and learn as they do this, but I was a bit intimidated by all the equipment. My feeling at this point is to let the technicians handle it. If I would in some way goof in handling the needles and the other paraphernalia that go along with the whole thing, I'd be really upset with myself. I certainly have much respect for all those out there like yourself who have taken on this job at home. It certainly would save the drive, although wouldn't I have to still go there to keep replenishing the necessary equipment??

Keith

I bought my supplies from my local human pharmacy. My vet wrote the prescriptions. It saved me hundreds of dollars a month.

I did not mean the clinic would send the tech out to you. I meant the tech would do it on his/her own time and be paid by you. Some techs do pet sitting and this sort of thing as a side line. It couldn't hurt to ask around.

Some pet sitters also specialize in special needs care, so that could be another option for you. Having a pet sitter come in once a week to tend to Jasmine's fluids. This also would be helpful if you ever had to be away, she'd already be used to your pet sitter.

Giving the sub q can seem overwhelming at first, but it all falls into place with time. There's nothing wrong with taking her in once a week if it is not causing her too much stress, but home is always better.

I think as you become more used to dealing with it all you may become more open to trying it at home, if the pet sitter idea doesn't appeal to you.

I made lots of mistakes at first. But it got easier with time and practice. Ootay was getting fluids four times a week though, so there was no question of me bringing her to the vet for it.

Ohhhh it's ok. Boo was NOT happy about Sub-q fluids the first time he got them at the vet, and for the rest of that week. I had to buy a cat muzzle to cover his mouth and eyes and that helped alot, but every time at the vet he got very upset and once bit me very hard on the wrist and tore me up, and also tore a vet tech up pretty bad. I think personally it's a valid response to having something done to you that is new and not exactly pleasant, but your kitty should relax over time. I was surprised how well Boo got into it, he was even purring about it after awhile (but he knew he'd get a couple pieces of treat afterwards if he was good)

It looks very discouraging and heartbreaking when you first start sub-q's first time, you might wonder, "How in the world can I ever do that on my own!?" I did not think it was at all possible but it is. Just be patient and stay calm and remember, if you are nervous, kitty can pick up on it and that can make kitty even more upset. I luckily got some anxiety pills and I waited until I was very calm to do it, that seemed to help.

Good luck and don't get discouraged! You can do it! Especially once a week, that is good, I had to do mine every single day. Woo!

If she's extremely wild maybe you could look into a restraint bag?

And you can get all the supplies from a local pharmacy and/or ThrivingPets.com, that is where I got Boo's needles from, a box of 100 is around 7 dollars. Very cheap compared to the .50 cent a needle I was being charged at my vet. I was getting a box of 12 bags of 1000mL Lactated Ringers Solution for between 20-40 bucks at Walgreens (Their prices suddenly went up) but you could find them cheaper, I was paying 23 dollars A BAG at my vet. That is ridiculous.

As for lines, (to connect from bag to needle) they were 7 dollars at the vet, and I only bought a couple of them. I didn't have Boo for long, though.

Let the techs walk you through it and tell them to slow down if they go too fast, and start slowly integrating yourself into the process. Maybe help watch the bag flow at first, ask them to let you put the equipment together yourself, make sure you are keeping the important parts from touching anything (keep the needle away from the table or anything that might get it dirty, etc) ... It is not hard. It just looks like it because of all the pieces. Some lines can look extremely complicated but I found out I didn't even use some of what was on it for the sub-q's.
I had to have my Mom help hold Boo down, but that didn't last for long because it made him even more upset, but eventually, I muttered and coo'd at him and opened a window so he could smell the outside (with muzzle on) and he chilled out. Kind of amazing what a cat muzzle can do for a cat in that situation (sometimes)

It will be ok

Don't get discouraged. She may calm down once she has had fluids a few times, since she will already know what to expect.

Here is a great website about "how to give fluids." http://weirdstuffwemake.com/weird/st.../catjuice.html

Just scroll down to "Part two: administering the fluids." It shows how to do it step by step with pics and detailed instructions. You might want to bookmark this incase you do decide to try them at home.

Good luck, I hope she settles down for the fluids next time.