IV feeding at home...........eek!

[tatsxxx11]

I have experience in this area. My beloved Fritzy (RB) was suffering from kidney failure in his senior years. He required subcutanceous (under the skin) fluid supplementation. Lucky for me I am a nurse so it was something I was familiar with and giving injections/IV therapy were not new to me. Hopefully your vet will give you guidance and instruction!!! Of course your kitty will be apprehensive. Having two people on hand will make things a lot easier for you. One person should hold him comfortably in his/her lap. The needle is inserted into the skin at about a 45 degree angle, just beneath the skin, NOT into the deep muscle. It might help to practice on an orange. Try not to be too hesitant. This usually frightens the "patient" more than acting quickly. Pull a small section of the fur up gently (usually in the fatty area between the shoulder blades or a bit lower) and insert the needle. Once you have tackled that first hurdle, it really is a matter of keeping him quiet and relaxed while the fluids go in. Did the vet give you IV tubing with a needle attached or a large syringe that you fill with a specified amt. of fluid and then inject? Did he tell you how many cc's (ml's) of fluid to give per treatment? The treatment can take several minutes (depending on the amt.) and you don't want to push the fluids too rapidly. You will see what appears to be a swelling, a bit of a "lump" at the site. That's just the fluid collecting. It will be slowly absored after treatment over a short period of time. But ABSOLUTELY ask your vet to explain the entire procedure and perhaps demonstrate it to you the first time in the office!! I wish you luck. I know it's a hard thing to do, but try to be brave!! And if you have any questions or concerns, call your vet stat! Let us know how it goes! Poor Keidi!! He has been through so much! I'll be be thinking of you and him and sending prayers and love! What a devoted Mommy he has!! Sandra