My Mr Purr Michael is Sluggish.Miracle Michael's Coming Home..

[catmandu]

Michael was on fluids and I was speaking to the substitute Vet , who has a strong accent.
I will get some medications for Michael and I will be asking My Regular Vet when he returns Monday.
Whatever it take Michael is coming home, and he will be a well taken care of Cat
I just hope the other Found Cats dont like his prescription diet as well

[Catty1]

I just hope the other Found Cats dont like his prescription diet as well

On the bright side, you would have to buy only one kind of food - and you get a discount on a case of it!

[dehlers43]

Yay for Mr. Purr!

[catmandu]

Except that food is usually about 3 dollars for a 5.5 ounce tin , plus HST at 13%!!!
I dread what Michael's bill will be with those blood tests, liquid antibiotics and the medications that are coming home.
But its My Mister Purr, My Dream Cat so that's well worth the cost

[chocolatepuppy]

Now that's better news! Continued prayers for Michael!

[phesina]

I'm so glad Michael will be back home soon and he has quite a bit of good time ahead for him and you and the other kitties!

Love to you all from all of us!

[Medusa]

Much better news, Gary. I'm sure he'll be as spoiled as any cat can be.

[katladyd]

This is such good news!!! My heart has been heavy all day at work thinking of Michael. He is one PT cat I can truly say I love as one of my own. Please give Mr. Purr loves from me! I am doing the happy dance right now!

[catmandu]

And they have boneless chicken breasts one for 1.97 a pound at the Food Basics and at Sobeys a big BBQ Chicken about 2.5 pounds for 8 dollars!!!
Michael will be so very happy , and I may make an extra trip to the Buffet so Michael can have crab meat, roast beef and shrimps,
And more Chicken!!!
Michael LOVES Chicken
And I will have LES when I see My Dear Old Owesome Orange Cat once more

[cassiesmom]

This is such good news!!! My heart has been heavy all day at work thinking of Michael. He is one PT cat I can truly say I love as one of my own. Please give Mr. Purr loves from me! I am doing the happy dance right now!

I'm with KatLadyD on all of the above. Please give Michael some big hugs and lovies from me -- all the other Found Kitties too!

[lvpets2002]

Woo Hoo Michael is coming home.. That is great news.. Hope you feels much better Michael.. Huggss & Prayers

I'm with KatLadyD on all of the above. Please give Michael some big hugs and lovies from me -- all the other Found Kitties too!

[catmandu]

I called Our Vets and in the background I could hear Michael, the Pampered Dream Cat howling for his dinner!!!
He was so quiet and still when Our Vet assistant picked him up, I thopught tat I would never see him again
Hes on his way with K/R Chicken Cat Food , Appetite Enhancers and Fluids to be given orally so he stays hydrated
For as long as Michael has , be it six weeks or six moths, he is going to be Spoiled.
He is worth every cent of his Vet Bill and MORE

[phesina]

Gary, will you be giving Michael subcutaneous fluids at home?

[catmandu]

We are going to see how Micheal does , but there is a good chance that I will have to give My Dream Cat fluids under the skin.
I have questions , is that difficult and I hate to ask , will this be expensive
I hate to put a price tag on things, especially Mr Purr and I will pay the price.
Michael is worth too much for me to to help My Owesome Orange Cat.

[phesina]

Gary, I've given fluids to various cats of mine over the years. Presently Sydney and Bob are getting them.

It isn't that hard to do, but it does take a little practice at first. Basically, you pick up a little "tent" of skin around the scruff of the neck and insert the needle from the fluid bag parallel to the cat's body. Your vet's staff will show you what to do and have you try it and get it right.

I did a GoodSearch search on "administering subcutaneous fluids to cat" to see if I could find a clear, hopefully illustrated description of the process. I got LOADS of links!

Here's one with step-by-step instructions and photographs: http://www.felinecrf.com/managh.htm

And here's a YouTube demonstration by a vet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4Ta537YEOU

Here's another YouTube demo, from Cornell's vet school: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LSppGcrQ3Y

There are plenty of other links for instructions, too.

Don't be nervous or shy. I am the original Nervous Nellie when I have to attempt anything mildly complex and possibly painful for the recipient..and I learned to do it!.. so you can too, Gary.

Is it expensive? Well, there is some cost involved, but it's worth doing because it could extend Michael's life and comfort level .. The fluid bags and needles are MUCH less expensive if you buy them in bulk. I get a box of 100 needles or a case of 12 bags of fluids at a time from the vet, which is much cheaper than just buying a few.

When I was first giving fluids, about 25 years ago, I'd get a bag or two at a time for something like $12 each from the vet.. until I found out that I could get a whole CASE of 12 bags through him for about $35!

And according to some of the web sites, these supplies are available for even less money in bulk from Costco and other large discount warehouse stores.

I tried to find these at Costco Canada online, but I couldn't. So, here are the nearest Costcos to you:

1 Ancaster (5.93 km)
100 Legend Court
Ancaster ON L9K 1J3
(905) 304-0344

2 Burlington (10.64 km)
1225 Brant Street
Burlington ON L7P 1X7
(905) 336-6714

I hope this helps! You and Michael will spend some real quality time together doing this.

Pat