- Joined
- Jul 27, 2009
- Messages
- 408
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Long story short: I suck.
I finally made the leap and stuck the cat at the vet's office with the guidance of my favorite tech (the needle insertion was my big fear). All went swimmingly at the office. She's a good girl, no fussing, sits still, cooperates 100%, they don't even have to hold her down (they keep her in the base of the carrier and just take off the top - a model patient.) 5 min and we are outta there. She's a good traveler in the car too, for a cat.
Fast forward to me trying to give them at home. Flipping disaster. She fusses, won't stay still, I swear she tenses up her back muscles so I can't get a decent tent. Plus, its just me, with only two (shaking) hands, completely inexperienced.
I tried keeping her in the base of the carrier (the first time) - she bolted when I finally got the needle in and the fluid (warmed) started running. Tried a smaller needle 20G last night in a box with higher sides and the bag raised higher, thinking that would make the fluid flow faster. Between the exposed needle, the fussing, wiggling, crying, suddenly a muscular bodybuiler of a cat with no spare skin, my frazzled nerves... I finally gave up. Didn't even get the needle into her.
Any tips for a "just me" total nervous newbie? There is no one to ask to help me, so that's not an option. I know she was milking my insecurity and desire not to hurt her (hence the crying every time the needle got even close to her body - and with that tiny tent door she gave me... I wasn't secure enough in my technique).
The lovely TCS members have been giving me some great tips, which I'm still trying. Even though we are doing the vets tonight, I'm not totally giving up just yet. Well, tonight I am because she needs them and I'm failing.
So... any advice would be welcome. She's only a 7.5 lb cat, but very slippery and agile when it comes to escaping unwelcome situaitons.
Maybe the first time I actually got it in, it was between the layers of skin and it hurt her?
Halp. Thanks again
-- Wendy
I finally made the leap and stuck the cat at the vet's office with the guidance of my favorite tech (the needle insertion was my big fear). All went swimmingly at the office. She's a good girl, no fussing, sits still, cooperates 100%, they don't even have to hold her down (they keep her in the base of the carrier and just take off the top - a model patient.) 5 min and we are outta there. She's a good traveler in the car too, for a cat.
Fast forward to me trying to give them at home. Flipping disaster. She fusses, won't stay still, I swear she tenses up her back muscles so I can't get a decent tent. Plus, its just me, with only two (shaking) hands, completely inexperienced.
I tried keeping her in the base of the carrier (the first time) - she bolted when I finally got the needle in and the fluid (warmed) started running. Tried a smaller needle 20G last night in a box with higher sides and the bag raised higher, thinking that would make the fluid flow faster. Between the exposed needle, the fussing, wiggling, crying, suddenly a muscular bodybuiler of a cat with no spare skin, my frazzled nerves... I finally gave up. Didn't even get the needle into her.
Any tips for a "just me" total nervous newbie? There is no one to ask to help me, so that's not an option. I know she was milking my insecurity and desire not to hurt her (hence the crying every time the needle got even close to her body - and with that tiny tent door she gave me... I wasn't secure enough in my technique).
The lovely TCS members have been giving me some great tips, which I'm still trying. Even though we are doing the vets tonight, I'm not totally giving up just yet. Well, tonight I am because she needs them and I'm failing.
So... any advice would be welcome. She's only a 7.5 lb cat, but very slippery and agile when it comes to escaping unwelcome situaitons.
Maybe the first time I actually got it in, it was between the layers of skin and it hurt her?
Halp. Thanks again
-- Wendy