Max

[emily_the_spoiled]

I had to give Oliver sub-q fluids for about six months and I found that warming the fluids helped ALOT. I had an extender set that gave me more IV line to work with and I just put the IV line in a warm water bath so it was warmed as it went through the line.

The other thing I did was to give Oliver some "treats" while running the fluids. The treats could be dry food (I don't feed dry food normally so it is a treat) or some canned wet food. This would keep him still long enough for the fluids to be administered. (BTW I also use an 18 gauge needle)

[slick]

OMG, what a great idea to warm up the solution and the line. My neighbour did mention last week that the solution could be cool going in, but I never thought about warming it up. I'll definitely try that if I have him home tonight. I am also using an 18 gauge needle but I have the smaller 20 gauge ones too.

As for feeding him during treatment, well he always stands up to eat so I'm not sure how practical that will be but hey, I'll give anything a go right now. I'll try the treats first and if that doesn't work, I know he'll go for the Fancy Feast.

He didn't eat as much last night as he has been but he did have a very small poop. Right now he is sleeping peacefully on the dining room chair, oblivious to the fact that an hour from now he'll be with Dr. Singh.

I also have to say, and put in a plug for my vet. Dr. Singh is the absolute best ever. He is caring, compassionate, patient with me and let's me pay him off in installments. He always returns my phone calls and answers all my questions in terms that I understand. I've been with him since 1997 and what a blessing it is to have someone who gives me the straight goods and not pussyfoot (excuse the pun ) around.

Well, I'm off to get ready.

[emily_the_spoiled]

Based on my experience with Oliver eating during the fluids, it was never a problem and it made it sooooooooooo much easier because he would then stand in on stop

[Lizzie]

I'm sure warming the fluids, both the bag and line, will make a big difference in how Max accepts the fluids. It will take a few sessions before he realizes it isn't uncomfortable any more, of course, but then he will be "normally" antsy about it. Watching your cat's behavior/reaction and trying to assess what they are telling you can be a very difficult translation job. I thought Diego was hiding from me because he was already in some pain when it was time for his meds, which are given through an oesophageal tube because the pain is in his mouth, but it finally dawned on me that the pain meds (given always in warm water) might be hard on his stomach. Now I give about 20cc of well warm watered down baby food first and he's started letting me scoop him up more easily and will relax and purr while the procedure is done. Sometimes you feel so dumb that you didn't figure things out sooner.

I hope you can get Max into a plateau time, that can last for many, many months, where he is coping with treatment and has a fair quality of life.

[slick]

They kept my baby boy overnight. I pick him up at 10am tomorrow morning. He is extremely dehydrated in spite of my efforts.

On my way to work now.

[gini]

Oh, baby Max - please get better for your Mom.

[Taz_Zoee]

Well, I hope the overnight stay in the hospital will get him back on the right track. I probably should have done that with Taz in the beginning too.
I know it will be a LONG night without your baby, but hang in there.

HUGS!!

[Barbara]

We keep all our paws and fingers crossed for Max.