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Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / February 2005

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Giving Cosmo fluids

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Ginger-lyn Summer - 17 Feb 2005 19:22 GMT
I know how to do this.  I've done this before, with a friend's cat,
for a week.  But that wasn't *my* cat.  And I had help then.  Now I'm
alone.

So where to do this?  The vet suggested a card table.  Okay, I have
one.  And I have a doorway that already has hooks in it that I can
hang the bag on.  Sounds like we're set.

But the table won't fit in the doorway.  And the hook's pretty sharp,
and I'm afraid it will tear the bag.

Hmmm, there's a big chair, with a fuzzy bathrobe they like to lay on,
and it's near the hooks.  Let's just pull that over and try it that
way.

Here, Cosmo!  Come get your treatment!

Yeah.  Right.

I manage to get him on the chair, having hung up "the works".  Now I
have to remember how to put the needle in.  After I look at it, it's
obvious, but in the process, I drop one part of the plastic container
the needle came in.  Oh, well, I'll find it later.

Putting the needle in is the scariest part.  What if I hurt him?  What
if I accidentally puncture something?  Arggggh!  I know I can do this,
I know I can do this.  I get the needle in.  And it comes right back
out.  Grrrrr.  I get it in again, better this time.

Cosmo is being amazingly good.

Then I realize I don't remember *how to turn on the fluids*!  Oops!  I
have one hand on Cosmo to keep him from moving, and I can't reach the
phone book, even though I'm right next to the phone.  Somehow, Cosmo
stays still in the split second it takes me to go grab the phone book.

I call the vet's office and Chad (who is an incredibly sweet, gentle
assistant) tells me it's the little knobby thing that goes up and
down.  Ah, okay!  I've actually had it on all right the entire time
and just didn't know it.

I'm practically underneath the bag, and can't really see it very well,
so I have to guess when he's had enough.  I'm also watching Cosmo, to
see when *he's* had enough.  He's getting edgy, and I think it's time,
so I turn off the flow and take the needle out, which elicits a short
cry from him.  I almost cried, thinking I hurt my poor Cosmo.

I take the bag down, and amazingly, I had managed to give him just the
right amount.

Got out the treats, and Cosmo (and the other cats -- can't leave them
out!) had a field day with some treats.

Then I go shake for several hours and play Bubbels.

I am NOT looking forward to doing this again.

Ginger-lyn
mlbriggs - 17 Feb 2005 19:39 GMT
> I know how to do this.  I've done this before, with a friend's cat,
> for a week.  But that wasn't *my* cat.  And I had help then.  Now I'm
[quoted text clipped - 54 lines]
>
> Ginger-lyn

Don't you just hate those "shakes"?   MLB
Susan M - 17 Feb 2005 19:44 GMT
{{{{{hugs}}}}} to you Ginger-lyn.

I know that knowing that it helps him doesn't make it any easier.  You did
it perfectly though - good work - and we'll be thinking of you as you
continue to give him his treatments.

Susan M
Otis and Chester

>I know how to do this.  I've done this before, with a friend's cat,
> for a week.  But that wasn't *my* cat.  And I had help then.  Now I'm
[quoted text clipped - 54 lines]
>
> Ginger-lyn
CatNipped - 17 Feb 2005 19:56 GMT
>I know how to do this.  I've done this before, with a friend's cat,
> for a week.  But that wasn't *my* cat.  And I had help then.  Now I'm
[quoted text clipped - 54 lines]
>
> Ginger-lyn

You are so brave, Ginger-lyn.  I would hope that I could do that if my baby
needed it, but just the thought of having to stick on of them with a needle
gives me the shakes!

Hugs,

CatNipped
Margaret Fine - 17 Feb 2005 19:57 GMT
> I know how to do this.  I've done this before, with a friend's cat,
> for a week.  But that wasn't *my* cat.  And I had help then.  Now I'm
[quoted text clipped - 54 lines]
>
> Ginger-lyn

Poor Ginger-lyn.  BIG HUGS!  I can sympathize.  I was a nurse in another
life and did things to people without batting an eyelash but boy come
time to do something to one of my boys and my hands shake and I start to
cry.  It sounded like Cosmo actually came through it pretty well,
though, so you must be doing a good job.  We're thinking of you!

Signature

Margaret Fine
mefine@mindspring.com

Gabey8 - 17 Feb 2005 20:14 GMT
Traumatic as it was, it sounds like you did just fine.

Just don't make the error I did the first time I gave Harmony fluids. I
forgot to shut the freaking valve off before withdrawing the needle,
resulting in fluid spraying all over the kitchen before I could turn the
darn thing off. Oops.

When the vet was showing me how to administer the fluids, she told me "and
then pet the cat for about ten minutes to make sure thatt the fluid gets
distributed". So I told Harmony, "See? She's prescribing petting. Vets
aren't all bad". (Harmony wasn't convinced. ;o) )

All the best to you and Cosmo. I'm sure that things will only get easier
as you get more accustomed to doing it, especially once Cosmo makes the
connection between getting fluids and feeling better.

Donna, Captain, and Stanley
Kalynnda Berens - 17 Feb 2005 20:35 GMT
> I know how to do this.  I've done this before, with a friend's cat,
> for a week.  But that wasn't *my* cat.  And I had help then.  Now I'm
> alone.

...
> I am NOT looking forward to doing this again.
>
> Ginger-lyn

Ginger-lyn,
        first,  {{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}
    I've been where you are, twice. Remember that you are doing this for a
reason, to improve Cosmo's quality of life. And fluids really do help a
lot!  I know with Tigger they extended his life by a few months (he was
VERY badly off when he was diagnosed with CRF), which let him live to
experience spring.  And with Twilight, they made his last year much more
comfortable.
    As you and Cosmo work things out, you will gain confidence and he will
relax (hopefully). Everything we do for our fur-kids is a balancing act
- how much will they tolerate? Is it helping them enough to balance the
discomfort?  You'll know when you've pushed too far. But for right now,
try to relax. Cosmo sounds like he took things very well.
    I was so scared when I first gave Twilight fluids. And while he was
never happy about it, I could tell that he wasn't horribly unhappy. We
worked things out, as I know you and Cosmo will. You are not alone in
how you feel, having to "hurt" a fur-kid to help him feel better. It
takes a great act of love to do this for Cosmo. Try to remember that.
    Spoil Cosmo for as long as you have him. May it be many years.

        {{{{{{{Hugs, again}}}}}}}

Kalynnda, with Carol and the seven furries
   
Christina Websell - 17 Feb 2005 20:48 GMT
Oh, Ginger-lyn

Don't worry, you will soon - after a few times - be expert at this.  Truly.
None of us are good at anything the first time.
Purrs for your nerves, and absolutely positive vibes that I know you can do
this.  Be brave and just do it.
(fine one to talk, me..)

Tweed

>I know how to do this.  I've done this before, with a friend's cat,
> for a week.  But that wasn't *my* cat.  And I had help then.  Now I'm
[quoted text clipped - 54 lines]
>
> Ginger-lyn
Kreisleriana - 17 Feb 2005 20:54 GMT
>I know how to do this.  I've done this before, with a friend's cat,
>for a week.  But that wasn't *my* cat.  And I had help then.  Now I'm
>alone.
(snip)

You're on the right track.  And you're doing the right thing for your
kitty.   Give yourself a big pat on the back.  It will get easier.

Theresa
Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh
My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com
jmcquown - 17 Feb 2005 21:36 GMT
> I know how to do this.  I've done this before, with a friend's cat,
> for a week.  But that wasn't *my* cat.  And I had help then.  Now I'm
> alone.

(scary but good-ending info snipped)
> I am NOT looking forward to doing this again.
>
> Ginger-lyn

Purrs for your hand and nerves to be steady and for Cosmo to continue
accepting the fluids without a fight and recover quickly.

Jill
polonca12000 - 17 Feb 2005 22:37 GMT
You are doing great, Ginger-lyn! And next time it's going to be much easier!
Lots of best wishes and purrs for Cosmo and hugs for you, Ginger-lyn,
Signature

Polonca & Soncek

> I know how to do this.  I've done this before, with a friend's cat,
> for a week.  But that wasn't *my* cat.  And I had help then.  Now I'm
> alone.
<snip>
I take the bag down, and amazingly, I had managed to give him just the
> right amount.
>
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Ginger-lyn
Yoj - 18 Feb 2005 00:32 GMT
BTDT.  You have my sympathy.  I was lucky enough to have a hook in the
ceiling over a recliner.  I found that a good place to do it.  I knew how to
turn the fluid on, but forgot to turn it off before taking the needle out a
couple of times.

Joy

> I know how to do this.  I've done this before, with a friend's cat,
> for a week.  But that wasn't *my* cat.  And I had help then.  Now I'm
[quoted text clipped - 54 lines]
>
> Ginger-lyn
Cheryl - 18 Feb 2005 01:23 GMT
On Thu 17 Feb 2005 02:22:32p, Ginger-lyn Summer wrote in
rec.pets.cats.anecdotes (news:4214ed09.4353194
@news.east.earthlink.net):

> Then I go shake for several hours and play Bubbels.

That isn't a good stress reducer. ;)

> I am NOT looking forward to doing this again.

I wish I could offer some advice, but I haven't had to do this.
<knocks wood> Good luck and you're doing it for his health. Best
wishes and purrs.

Signature

Cheryl

L. (usenetlyn) - 18 Feb 2005 01:53 GMT
> I know how to do this.  I've done this before, with a friend's cat,
> for a week.  But that wasn't *my* cat.  And I had help then.  Now I'm
> alone.

<snip>

Hugs, sweetie, - It does get easier with time.  I hope he's on the mend
asap.

-L.
Christine Burel - 18 Feb 2005 02:03 GMT
> I know how to do this.  I've done this before, with a friend's cat,
> for a week.  But that wasn't *my* cat.  And I had help then.  Now I'm
[quoted text clipped - 54 lines]
>
> Ginger-lyn

Ginger-lyn, I had good results with hanging the bag of fluids on a coat
hanger and then hanging the coat hanger from the shower rod in the bathroom;
the higher the bag the faster the rate of flow so you can get this over with
for you and Cosmo faster!  Make sure your vet gives you the long enough  IV
fluid lines(I think mine were 4 or 5 feet long) that way you can kneel on
the floor with Cosmos and don't have to fuss with a table set-up.  Also, I
found it necessary to take a permanent marker and mark darker lines on the
lactated ringer bag because I, too, had a hard time reading the fluid levels
with the light blue lines they had.   I also had an initial demo from the
vet tech on how to make a "tent" with their loose skin right near the
shoulder blades and just put the needle through that tent.  And I always
tried to give a lot of positive attention to the kitty while I was doing the
procedure and always gave Frodo or Shetra a special treat as a reward
afterwards.  Hope this helps.  Hang in there; you'll soon be an expert!
Christine
Victor Martinez - 18 Feb 2005 02:05 GMT
> I am NOT looking forward to doing this again.

Purrs to you and Cosmo.

Signature

Victor M. Martinez
Owned and operated by the Fantastic Seven (TM)
Send your spam here: uce@ftc.gov
Email me here: pistorLITTER@BOXaustin.rr.com

Sam Nash - 18 Feb 2005 04:06 GMT
Poor Ginger-lyn.  Purrs for that you'll get used to the procedure and for
Cosmo that he'll continue to tolerate it as well.

Signature

Sam,  closely supervised by Mistletoe

>I know how to do this.  I've done this before, with a friend's cat,
> for a week.  But that wasn't *my* cat.  And I had help then.  Now I'm
[quoted text clipped - 54 lines]
>
> Ginger-lyn
Marina - 18 Feb 2005 05:13 GMT
> Then I go shake for several hours and play Bubbels.
>
> I am NOT looking forward to doing this again.

I'd say it went very well, Ginger-lyn. You'll find a routine. Good Cosmo
for being so still and taking it. It's strange with needles, I've often
noticed when I inject insulin that I feel nothing when the needle goes
in, but when I pull it out, suddenly it hurts like #%&! But it doesn't
hurt for long, so don't feel bad about it. Hugs to you and scritches to
Cosmo for being so good about it.

Signature

Marina, Frank and Nikki
marina (dot) kurten (at) pp (dot) inet (dot) fi
Pics at http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/frankiennikki/
and http://community.webshots.com/user/frankiennikki

Dan M - 18 Feb 2005 05:45 GMT
> Then I go shake for several hours and play Bubbels.
>
> I am NOT looking forward to doing this again.
>
> Ginger-lyn

Ginger-Lyn, it's not easy the first couple of times, is definitely
scary, and we all worry about whether we're causing pain for our babies.
But with a little practice it *does* get easier, and it can make a BIG
difference in the quality of life of our little babies.

If you feel unsure of your technique, I'd suggest another visit to the
vet to get one of the techs to work with you. When we had to give DeeDee
fluids our vet techs were very helpful in showing us (me, actually -
Nancy couldn't bring herself to do it) the most effective ways to
administer the fluids.

Dan
Helen Wheels - 18 Feb 2005 13:08 GMT
> I know how to do this.  I've done this before, with a friend's cat,
> for a week.  But that wasn't *my* cat.  And I had help then.  Now I'm
> alone.

<snip>

Good for you Ginger-lyn! It sounds like it all went fine. I'd guess the
first time would have to be the hardest for both of you.
Adrian - 18 Feb 2005 16:15 GMT
<snip>
> I am NOT looking forward to doing this again.

Purrs for your frazzled nerves and more purrs for Cosmo.
Signature

Adrian (Owned by Snoopy & Bagheera)
A house is not a home, without a cat.

 
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