Yikes! Has anyone ever done this?

[Medusa]

Hi Friends,
I was administering Puddy's SQ fluids today and she's been so good and still and quiet. Today she didn't want any of it and I had to struggle to keep her still. Also, the fluids seemed to take forever to drip but maybe that was just my perception of time. When I removed the needle, some of the fluid leaked out of Puddy and blood mixed in w/it. (Dr. LeBeau told me that sometime the fluid might leak out and he showed me how to pinch the skin so that I could prevent it.) But I felt so bad about it. I immediately called Dr. Lee's office and talked to a vet tech and she said that it sometimes happens w/her, too. Poor little girl. I was doing so well and now this. I feel like an incompetent boob. She never let out a peep when I inserted the needle, so I thought all was well. But when the fluid started to flow, she couldn't keep still.

Has anyone else ever experienced this or am I just an idiot who causes her sick cat more pain? I just feel terrible.

Blessings,
Mary

[Grace]

It was most likely a small capillary bleed, mixing in with the IV fluids. I wouldn't worry about it - you are doing such a wonderful job with Puddy.

[TopCat3]

No, you are NOT an idiot who causes her cat pain! You are a very concerned, loving and responsible cat-mama who is doing her best to give her cat the best health and quality of life she can. Let us hear no more of this self-berating! Give yourself a big pat on the back for having the patience, love and bravery to do this every day. Lots of people would have put it all in the too-hard-basket, got someone else to do it, paid the vet to do it, or abandoned the cat. (No-one on this forum, of course). Some days it goes better than others, your cat understands this, she's so grateful to you for all the love and support you are showing her. It's like everything else in life, sometimes you can back into that parking slot in one, the right distance from the kerb, perfectly parallel blah-di-blah, another day it'll take you three tries and the car is still crooked and you need a bus to take you to the kerb! Some days are diamonds, some days are stones....

[Medusa]

I know I've been beating myself up ever since it happened. But Puddy is so little for a 12 yr. old cat; she's only 6 lbs. I always wanted to be the one to give my cats comfort when they're sick, not make it worse for them. I had pretty much gotten over my nervousness of administering the SQ fluids when this happened. Now I'm nervous about doing it again. But I won't let my Pud down. She's my girlie girl.

Thanx gobs and heaps...

Blessings,
M

[QueenScoopalot]

As Grace said, it's probably a capillary. Not a thing to be worried about, but it sure can shake a person up to see that when it's not expected. I always loosen up the control on the IV bag before dispensing it into the kitty. Often the tubing will be sealed shut where the valve was off, and this could be why it seemed slow to you. I always warm the fluids to a comfortable temp. as well, so as not to send an already unwilling kitty flying away from the cold liquid! It works for me. Hoping to get more positive Puddy uppydates soon. Jan

[nepeta]

I think sometimes when the fluid seems to drip ever-so-slowly it's because of the position of the tip of the needle. If you move it slightly - and usually I just try to pull it back slightly rather than change its angle - it may go faster.

[furrykidsmother]

Mary, you are doing such a wonderful job, please don't let this one instance scare you. Hopefully, it won't happen again. You are helping Puddy so much and I am sure she understands.

[RedHedd]

That happened to me when I was giving Mishi Sub-Q's. As TopCat3 said, don't beat yourself up over this. It happens. Each time giving Sub-Q's is different. I noticed, too, that some days the fluid would flow slowly and other days it seemed to flow in very quickly. Some of the tips here should help.

Just know you are doing the best you can to help your cat get better and each day is different.

[rosethecopycat]

Yep. It happened to us with Malfi.
I just got a cottonball and alcohol and wiped the area.
It didn't really bleed much.

You are doing a great job, don't worry so much about the pain. I think it only stings for a second, like when a human gives blood.

Sometimes I have gotten so frustrated I just want to 'pay the vet' and not worry about it. I figure, just as long as he gets what he needs, no matter how it gets done.

I feel for you, we are lucky, we are not doing fluids now, but I know they are in my future.

[sandragonfly]

don't worry, medusa!! puddy can look/sound like he's in pain but he can not be! hey, I'm with you now.

I think it's because you 'fluided' in a little too fast? a well, big up-pinch is good, go really, really slowly so the nerves wouldn't react stings/jerks from the 'waving' fluid coming in.

if it leaks out, you didn't go all way through (skin, skin tissue & cell tissue). try go as far as you can, and squeeze in slowly.. if puddy screams, back a little, change angle and go slower. I know this is very hard but if you give a good stroke before you start SQ fluid, and make a good thick pinch (& pull up) she wouldn't feel the needle at most. this could let fluid going in faster too.

I wish you the best for his next SQ fluids! hugs,

..gina & chance

[Medusa]

Oh boy, your post came at just the right time. Tomorrow is SQ fluid day for Puddy. It's also my longest work day, so I'm going to wait until I get home to do it. I just don't want to stress myself before I leave for work and I don't want her stressed and then I'll worry about her all day. I'll read your post over several times before I do it and I'll post as soon as I finish. Thanx so much for your help. You just don't know how I appreciate it.

Blessings,
M

[Medusa]

Well, it went w/out a hitch today. Puddy didn't cry out, didn't squirm and sat perfectly still. So I must've done something right. And she isn't mad at me. She's sitting on my desk as I type this, so I guess it didn't hurt. I'm sure she knows on some level that I'm helping her but it still didn't keep her from scuttlebutting under the bed. But that's ok. She ran right out in a few seconds. I'm just glad to still have her w/me.

Thanx again for your encouragement, friends.

Blessings,
M

[sandragonfly]

YIPEEE!! HOORAY! I'm happy!! great.. she sounds too cute going under bed.

how many more times do you have to do this? not too many, I hope! a bit-biffy congrats!

[Medusa]

Dr. Lee says that I may have to do it for the rest of her life. She's in renal failure and I almost lost her twice. But he said that he has seen cats live for years w/SQ fluids. So I'll do what I gotta. I want to keep my Pudster around for a loooooong time.

Blessings,
M

[sandragonfly]

oh dear - true..for this, dear pudster's case.

by few more sq fluids, I'm positive the sessions will get better and better in no time. puddy already did good in her few first!

more good lucks & hugs,
..gina & furrfelines