Max

[kb2yjx]

I spoke with our vet about when the fluids slows down. I told her I use the same technique that I did with IV's, wiggle the needle, it can be positional. I have never withdrawn the needle, put on a new needle, and reinserted it. The cat would not stand for that!!! Sometimes, if you just pull the needle back a teeny tiny bit, it helps getting the fluids flowing again...I have also fed a cat while giving it sub q. Spunky was IMPOSSIBLE, so I would cut up some cheese and mix it into baby food. While he was gobbling away, I could insert the needle, and get him hydrated. As you can see in the photo of Boo and Nicholas, despite Boo sitting up, the fluid still went in!!!

[kb2yjx]

Okay, I forgot the photo!!! SORRY.....

[kb2yjx]

Also, PLEASE do not reinsert the SAME needle into the cat again....EVER!!! Once the needle is inserted and then reinserted, it causes PAIN because after the needle is used once the tip is NO LONGER SHARP.

[slick]

KB2yjx: Thank you so much for your weath of knowledge. Gosh I love this site. The emergency vet (not my regular one) told me I could use the same needle 3 times before changing it, but I will heed your advice from now on. I'll stop by the vet's tonight on my way home to buy a bunch more needles. Question for you - what good does it do to put the needles in the freezer before insertion? Does it dull the pain somehow? Also, many thanks for the website link. I will check it out this weekend. That photo is soooo cute!

Lizzie: Many thanks for your input and sharing your experience.

Mary: I can't thank you enough for your advice and support.

Nepeta:

I warm the fluids by filling a thermos with hot tap water and just draping the line through the warm water. The line is so thin the fluid comes out comfortably warm to the touch. I happened to have a quart thermos on hand but the size shouldn't matter.

I'm trying to visualize this. If I see this right the line comes down from the bag and kind of gets coiled around in the thermos of hot water then the needle end comes out of the thermos into kitty? Many thanks for the link to the Klaw Kontrol. If Max becomes a problem child, I definitely invest in one.

Phesina: That candle gives me LES. Many thanks for your kind words.

In my computer/freezer/litterbox room I have a hook up high on the closet door where the bag hangs. I have a soft blankie on top of the freezer and that's where I do what Max would call the dasterdly deed. I just have to figure out how I'm going to warm up the line while it's flowing. I'm sure that I'm poking him in the right spot because I can see the water collecting under his skin. He jolts/squirms when the needle first goes in, then calms down a bit.

I have a 3 day weekend so will be able to spend some extra time with Max.

Thank you everyone else for your love and prayers. It means more to me than you will ever know and I'm riddled with guilt that I have not been able to be there for all of you. I'm so sorry and will endeavour do better.

I'm going to try and get some pictures of him this weekend to post.

[nepeta]

Your description of the line coming down from the bag, coiling around in the thermos of hot water, with the needle end coming out of the thermos and into the cat is exactly right.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Here's a rather well-written article about one man's method of administering
Sub-Q Fluids to his Kat.

The first part lists dozens of helpful sites that can be consulted for additional help
and suggestions; and some Bulletin Board sites.

The second part goes into a very detailed How-To instruction set.

http://weirdstuffwemake.com/weird/st.../catjuice.html

[krazyaboutkatz]

Slick, I'm sorry to hear that Max has to stay at the vet. Hopefully he'll feel much better tomorrow and from now on you won't have any more problems/issues with giving him his sub-q fluids. I'll be keeping both of you in my thoughts and prayers. Please take care. (((HUGS)))

[Cinder & Smoke]

Also, PLEASE do not reinsert the SAME needle into the cat again .... EVER!!!

Once the needle is inserted and then reinserted,
it causes PAIN because after the needle is used once the tip is NO LONGER SHARP.

And >>>

The needle is NO Longer "sterile" once it touches the fur and/or "dirty" skin.

RE-using a needle three times is TWO Times too many!

[kb2yjx]

Cinder and Smoke!!! Thank you for pointing out the STERILITY factor in reusing the SAME needle!!! SLICK!!! I sent you a pm.....I hope Max is OK...I lit a candle for you both....

[gini]

Dear friend, thinking of you and Max this morning. I will call you over the weekend.

xxoo Gini

[Taz_Zoee]

I'm a little shocked about the vet saying you can use the needle three times. My vet gave me a bag of needles to last for one bag and when I went to get another bag they'd give me more needles. They even specifically told me with his epogen shot that the needle can only do two sticks - once into the vial and once into his skin.

I hope you made it through the night without Max at home. And I am also hoping to hear some good news when you pick him up this morning. I will be busy today, but will try to check in on this thread as often as possible.