You can do it and it _can_ keep him lively and comfortable. From what
I have seen, eventually it won't and you will have to say goodby but
all may be very well for quite some time. And all of my household is
purring for you both, although Micki and Bear and I purr rather
amateurishly.

-
Will in New Haven
See the False as False
The True as True
Look into your heart
And follow your nature

Sakyamuni Buddha c 500BCE

Hopitus wants you to know I have done sub-Q fluid therapy more than
one cat.
You *can*do it! It is unpleasant to us hoomins but if you do it right
(needle
under cat's skin) Stinky won't mind very much, if at all.
I had to do this maneuver for my Hopitus back in '89 (my first
experience).
Tutorial if you could use one now:
Lay cat on his side. You will have a plastic baggie hanging (or not)
with tubing
attached to a (usually) pretty big needle....pinch cat's side skin up
in several
fingers, pull up off his flesh. Helpful if someone else with you to
hold him if
he gets fidgety...stick needle into the *skin* you are elevating above
his side
a little. Hang baggie of nutrient liquid and open tubing so it's
flowing in. A
largish lump will soon appear under the skin. After whatever amount
vet said
to put in has emptied from baggie, remove needle carefully and mash
down on
skin where it was in case you hit a small blood vessel (unlikely but
possible -
don't get excited if you see a tad of blood). Now the wierd part:
using your
fingers and hands, *massage* the lump of liquid under skin until it
is
kinda diffused (spread out) to a larger area and not such a big lump.
Don't
worry if a lump remains, it will eventually be absorbed.
If Phil P. reads this and has any criticisms or additions, please do
so...
I am hardly the final word here, and post merely from my experience.
My best wishes are with you and Stinky.

Kreisleriana <drtmuir@earthlink.net> wrote in message:
13utm743uli938@corp.supernews.com,

Put the damn cat down and stop torturing him.

Aaaargh! I'm really sorry to hear this! :(  :(

You'll be able to do it! You strike me as a competent person. It might
take a few times to get the hang of it, but it's really not hard. I've
done it a bunch of times, both with and without help, and I'm a total
klutz! It's much easier when you have help, and you do have your mom.
But if necessary, it's possible to do it alone, too. If your mom can
help, all you'd need is for her to hold him, and then you can administer
the fluids. That would be ideal.

Poor Stinky!

But this doesn't mean he's going to die anytime soon. You've probably
seen my posts where I talked about having a cat diagnosed with CRF at
age 16, and she lived to 21. I gave her subq fluids for 5 years, but
not all the time. Sometimes she'd go months without needing any, and
other times, she needed to have it 2 or 3 times a week. But she was in
good shape for most of that time.

Purrs for Stinky and you!

Joyce

D&(*, D897, D*&^.  I'm sorry to read this, Sweetie.  You can do the subQ
thing, I know you can.  Stinky is a wonderful owner and you can and will do
everything he needs.  Lots of healthy thoughts and wishes for him and you
from all of us here.  Stupid question of the month: can cats come back from
kidneys that aren't working?  If so, I'll hope and wish that they do so.
The owners will continue to send purrs and healing vibes.

Pam S,

Ahh geez,

I'm really sorry to hear about Stinky, dear.  However, at 17, you do
have to realize that with cats at this age it's only a matter of time
before their organs start shutting down.  But I can tell you as a
technician that cats can be on SC fluids and still maintain a decent
quality of life.

From the sound of things he seems to be okay, all things considering.
How's his appetite?  Is he still walking around the house thinking
he's all that and a bag of chips?  Is he still telling off the
neighborhood cats and still smacking Dante upside the head when he
gets out of line?  :P

SC fluids can seem intimidating at times but it can be done.  I've
done many demonstrations.  I also have a side business where I go to
clients homes to help them administer the fluids.  Of course these
people are those who are squeamish of needles or the cat is kinda
fractious.

But it can be done.  And depending on the kidney values, it can give
him anywhere from a few months to a few years.
Where are you located again?

How often does the vet recommend you do fluids?

If you want I can send you an abridged email of the info sheet I put
together for clients who are new to SC fluids.

And if you like, I'm willing to give you my phone number and talk you
through the procedure too.

Purrs for you and Stinky

Kristi

Theresa,

That's the pits--not what you wanted to hear, I'm sure.  You CAN do this!  I
have had two cats with kidney problems and consequently had to give both of
them subQ fluids.  Some cats tolerate it more than others.  Molly purred the
entire time--it really seemed to help her feel better.  Tortle was not as
co-operative but with help I was able to give her fluids, too.  One thing
that was suggested to me was to heat up the bag of fluids in a bowl of warm
water to body temperature--it makes it more comfortable for your kitty.
With Molly, we just hung the bag and held her for the duration.  She would
sit on my lap, purr and lick my hands.  Tortle struggled quite a bit.
Someone at my vet's suggested pulling up the fluid in 60 cc syringes and
then pushing it in as fast as possible.  I would hold and my husband would
push the fluids.  Not very pretty but it got the job done.  Needles:  some
people like bigger needles (18 gauge) so the delivery is faster.  Some
people like smaller needles as they are somewhat less painful for the cat.
We tried both and am not sure we noticed a big difference.  Also, Phil does
not recommend long term fluid therapy except in a cat that is dehydrated or
to help during a uremic crisis.

Another thing--Phil P. would know better than I do but potassium
supplementation can be very very helpful, as well as omega-3 supplements
(from menhadin fish, not plant sources).   One more thing, one of my vets
suggested Azodyl, a probiotic that can help break down which helps with
azotemia.  It's a big capsule so can be hard to administer but it can be
mixed in with the food--not as good as giving the capsule but still helpful.
Also, the thinking about diet is that restricting protein for kidney kitties
is not as important as restriction of dietary phosphorus so it would be
better to feed Stinky a low phosphorus diet.

As someone else said, cats can live for quite a long time with CRF.  I have
been through the shock of this diagnosis--I totally understand what you are
going through.

Healing and comforting purrs for you and Stinky

Bonnie

Oh no! I'm so sorry, Theresa. I was so wishing Stinky would turn out to
be fine. Lots of purrs that he is still at the stage where he can live a
good life for many long years. Wish I had advice, but I know there are
many here who have gone through this, and can help you with it. Did the
vet recommend a kidney diet?

I've done it, and if the cat is cooperative, it isn't really bad, once you
get over that initial reluctance to stick needles in your cat.  Ask for the
smallest needles possible.  It's best not to reuse them, because they get
dull, which can make it painful.  When you and the cat are in position,
stick the needle in quickly, which minimizes any discomfort.

It is a lot easier to do with a cat that likes to be held.  It took both my
sister and her husband to keep Acey still for his infusions, but I managed
Skeeter easily by myself.

You can do it, and it does help, for a while.  How long depends on the
situation.

Joy

Hugs and purrs for Stinky, and for you.

Oh pooh, Stinky!  Why'd you have to go and do that?

You can do it!  Many people here have mentioned doing this for their furry
owners.  Think positive!

Goes without saying, sweetie.

Jill

Dang it, I'm sorry.  Mega purrs to Stinky!

kili

I;d have said something stronger than !@#@#!)

Purrs for you and Stinky- you can do the subQ because I know you'll do
whatever it takes for Stinky

Lesley

Slave of the Fabulous Furballs

You _can_ do it. Lots of purrs for you and Stinky.

Purrs and prayers are continuing your way
for Stinky's well-being.

Lily & her mama

I am so sorry, you can do it, you WILL do it for him, Lee

Purrs coming for both of you.  I'd bet you'll be able to do it just fine
since it's to help keep Stinky going!

Sam, supervised by Mistletoe

Purrs on the way, Theresa!

Hugs,

CatNipped

I'm sure you'll learn how to administer subQ therapy really soon.
Lots of purrs for Stinky and lots of hugs for you, Theresa,
Polonca and Soncek