Max

[slick]

I just spoke to Pacific Health....boy what a nice guy, and nice looking from his picture on the website.

He quoted me
needles - 20 gauge - $7.35/box of 100
18 gauge - $6.45/box of 100
1000 mg bag saline - $5.85 (compared to $12 at the vet )

Delivery is $5.25 - it's still a bargain.

I just have to make a decision what needles to order. He says that the majority of people who order from him for CRF cats order the smaller 20 gauge.

More later.

[Lizzie]

I use 18 gauge needles, 1" most of the time. The only time I've used 20 gauge was on a very small cat who couldn't cope with the 18 though she also had a hard time with how long the fluids took to go into her. Perhaps they sell more of the 20 gauge because people are afraid of hurting their cat, or because in the later stages CRF cats become very thin and their skin becomes more sensitive.

Do you have a spare line on hand? I always have some spare ones now because there were a few occasions when I'd get distracted as I was putting the catheter into the bag and I'd hit the rim of the opening, contaminating the catheter.

[kb2yjx]

I use the 18x1 and the fluids go in nicely....

[slick]

The fluids were very hard to get into him tonight. He fought and fought and wiggled and wiggled. Yes, it was warm but no, didn't freeze the needle. I tried giving him some treats during treatment but he wants none of it. He just fights and sticks his tongue way out and drools the whole time. After treatment, he hides and won't come for any treats. He's miserable and so am I.

Is this quality of life? Am I doing him justice??? I'm in tears over this. Taz: just tried to call and got voice mail. Didn't leave a message - decided I need to get myself together before talking on the phone. Perhaps another night.

I'm going to make myself some dinner now and settle down. Bless all of you who take this in stride. My hat is off to you and I wish I could be who you are.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Slick, I'm sorry to hear that Max is being difficult to handle while trying to give him his fluids. I wish that he knew that you're only doing this to help him.

I've only had to give sub-q fluids for short periods of time to my cats and I did manage to do it alone. I'd put them in my small bathroom and shut the door and then hang the bag from a hook that's on the back of the door. I'd kneel down and put them between my knees to help hold them so they wouldn't move as much. Luckily my bathroom's so small that they couldn't really run and hide if they wanted to. I hope that things will get easier for you both with time.

Maybe you should look into buying Max a klaw kontrol bag from Drs. Foster & Smith or a cat sack which you can buy online. I'll continue to keep you both in my thoughts and prayers. Please take care. (((HUGS)))

[Medusa]

I'm sorry that you're having such a hard time w/this, Slick. I wish I could pull a trick out of my bag but I got nothin'. Everyone here has given you such good advice that my comments would just be redundant. I'll continue prayers for both you and Max. That will be my contribution. Keep the faythe. (((HUGS)))

[Taz_Zoee]

Well, after reading your last post, I am very glad I called you back last night.

Hugs to you!! And to Max.

[Lizzie]

Those of us who have gone through this know exactly how you feel - the dread, the guilt, the anguish, the questions, the frustration, the tears, I'm afraid it's what you have to go through in order to help Max. He will probably get better about coping with the procedure in time and he will learn to separate the times when you have to give him fluids from the rest of his time with you. You will learn how best to handle him, and it will become a routine - not one you look forward to, but one that is part of your day. These early days are the worst time, except the much later time when your CRF cat gets so thin that you can barely get a needle in - then you wish he was bucking and writhing again.

I give fluids alone also, and I also kneel down with the cat between my knees. I've had cats that have bucked and writhed so frantically that the needle has come out and I had to learn to keep a few extra by me on the floor so I could put on a new one and start again. My cats have slashed, snarled, thrown themselves on their sides and backs, whirled like dervishes. Sometimes I've had to scruff them and hold up the pocket of skin in the same hand then push in the needle with the other, then grip their shoulders hard with my knees. I think I've had only one cat that simply lay there and that was a foster who was in late stage CRF.

Give both of you a treat after each treatment, that's what I do. A relaxing video, cup of tea and chocolate biscuit for me, and a cuddle session for them.