Help from those who have dealt with kidney failure

[Medusa]

Jen, my Puddy has been on subQ's for a couple of years now and it's made quite a difference in how she feels and acts. As others have mentioned, my vet recommended using a larger gauge needle in order for the treatments to go faster and, although it is a little more uncomfortable upon insertion, the treatment goes so fast that I feel it's worth it. Puddy has always been a very impatient and aggressive cat and to have a treatment take longer than it has to just isn't worth it to either of us. I also move the needle to a different spot each time so that the area doesn't become sore. It's also important to use a new needle each time or at least every other time so that it's more comfortable. Puddy gets 150 cc's and I use my judgment as to how often. In the beginning, she was getting 2 treatments a day, then I backed off to 1 a day for a while, then 1 every other day, then every two days, etc. If she looks scruffy ie. somewhat dehydrated, she gets a treatment.

As for vomiting, my vet said that if she throws up once, not to worry but if she throws up twice in one day, to call him, especially if it's bile and not food. Believe it or not, Puddy actually likes canned KD now, which is especially for cats in renal failure and it also comes in dry form but she isn't too hot on that. I also sprinkle Forti Flora on her food; it's a pro-biotic that's quite palatable and it helps her w/bowel movements. It's great for cats who get diarrhea often or who, like Puddy, tend to have mushy stools.

Trust your judgment as to how often to give the subQ's unless your vet told you specifically how often to give them. Puddy always perks up after one. You can't hurt Braveheart by giving him too much. He may get a little pocket of fluid, though. Puddy gets an accumulation right under her front right leg but, after a while, it goes down. It doesn't harm them in any way. And when you first administer the subQ, Braveheart may squeal a little and that's because it feels funny when it first goes in.

Braveheart will get used to his treatments and so will you. It'll become so easy that you won't think anything of it after a short while.

[jenluckenbach]

Thanks everyone.

I knew the sub-q's were important. And shall continue to try.

BraveHeart doesn't mind the needle going in (too much) but actually getting it in is difficult. It is not difficult because of the original "stick" but because he is SOOOOOOOOO skinny. No matter where you attempt to make "the tent" there is absolutely no thickness to the skin. I have, all too often, had it go in one side and out the other without even realizing it. so, even though I attempt to use a different spot each time, there is just not enough thickness to keep the needle in.

As for using a smalle needle, I'd love to, but BraveHeart's biggest grief with me is not having enough patience to get the fluids in (so we don't want it to take LONGER!) He gets agitated and squirms and wiggles and I can't keep the needle from coming out. If he was a heavier cat, it might stay in better.

[kb2yjx]

Jen, the same thing happens to Raven when she get her fluids!!! She is only 4.9 pounds, and the needle goes in and out. Then I see the LR coming out of her!!!! She does not like the restick and is a real wiggle worm!!! Since I have several cats that get fluids, I invested in an IV pole. Brico is the site where I get my fluids and supplies, they are very good and helpful. FAST delivery, too!
www.bricomedicalsupplies.com/CRFpage

[kb2yjx]

If that address does not come up, put Brico Medical Supplies in your search engine. The site you need will come up!!!

[Emeraldgreen]

At first, I used to have a similar problem with the needle going in one side and out the other when Jade was at her skinniest and wasn't eating the prescribed food. Once I got her to get eating again with other foods, and got some meat on her bones, it became ALOT easier.
As gruesome as it sounds, if the needle is out through the other side, sometimes you can back it up slightly just enough so that you are where you are supposed to be rather than having to re-stick him.
As was mentioned in an earlier post, it's good to change the needle each time to make it easier and because bacteria can grow in the needle that is left on from the previous treatment.
Medusa mentioned canned K/D and while Jade didn't like the canned version, she really liked the K/D kibble. I don't know if you've bought some yet but the kibbles are really small and greasy and my other cats kept trying to get some for themselves. Of all the reduced protein diets, that is the only one she ever ate.
I remember you mentioning in a few of your previous posts on the other thread that Braveheart loves his kibbles. I was thinking that maybe he might like something in between wetfood and dry kibbles like Tender Vittles? That way it would be soft on his mouth but still in kibble form. I know it's not ideal food but if he liked it, it might help get him 'filled' out a little more and hopefully a bit easier for you to work with the needle.