Seshat or anyone else who cares for a critically ill pet

Marrin713

Little guy in my avatar was just diagnosed with fibrosarcoma which is pretty aggressive.  As he is 15 and already in age related renal failure H and I have decided on palliative care since prognosis is so poor.

My question is about subcu fluids.  Bo dehydrates pretty quickly altho he does still eat like it's the last supper, so vet sent us home with the fluids and accessories.  I worked in vet med many years ago and know how to administer the fluids, but we had trouble on Monday night (problem #1 was that needles they gave us are too big for his tiny body).  Once I positioned the needle in he was okay but he became very very agitated (he was on H's lap) and I had to pull the needle because he was ready to bite H and already was clawing him.  He got very little fluids, so we took him to vet yesterday and had the tech administer.  She mentioned that sometimes location is the key.  They do it on the stainless steel exam tables and she said that sometimes they are so busy trying to keep from sliding that they don't realize what is being done.

H and I were thinking in the basement on the washer/dryer or on the countertop in the kitchen?  We watched some youtube videos and each one featured the cat on a flat smooth surface.  Any other ideas that have worked for you?

I just don't want this poor creature heading into the afterlife thinking we've been torturing him   If we aren't successful tomorrow, we'll just pay to have the techs do it.

Thanks

Blueyed228

Marrin sorry you are going through this

lbarr088

What size needle was it?  I'm pretty sure we always used about an 18G for fluids regardless of animal size, just so the fluids would move through the bag as quickly as possible.  I think any flat or smooth surface would work.  You could also wrap his lower half in a towel if that doesn't work to avoid him scratching.  At the animal hospital I worked at we were a fan of "taps."  We would gently tap a kitty on the nose or tip of the head to distract them from needle insertion, etc. 

I'm sorry you are going through this and I hope that you are able to find a method that works well for both you and your kitty!

Marrin713

Thanks Blue.  It's hard to watch him go downhill.

[Deleted User]

I'm sorry, marrin.

I have to give Whisky B-12 shots, which are essentially subcu. The technique that works best for him is in his scruff, so I straddle him from behind, lock one arm around his chest, and pinch the scruff area. For 2 people, I'd say one person straddle and contain and the other do the shot.

When I worked at the vet's office, the best thing that helped with cats was to wrap them in a towel that covered their face. if they can't see, they are usually more docile. I'm not sure how long it takes to administer the fluids, but it might be long enough. The slippery table sounds weird to me, because if he was struggling, there's a greater chance of injury.

I've also been able to hold Whisky when he was getting his blood drawn in the leg by putting an arm underneath him (so my forearm is on his stomach) and holding his front paws with my hand. Then I can brace his head against my chest/chin or hold him by the scruff (they can't bite you if you have the scruff) so the person behind me can grab his back leg and so whatever they need to do. But if he bites, that wouldn't be good (the towel method may help with this though).

Marrin713

Lbarr - they gave us 18's to begin with.  Last night they did it with a 20g and yes it took about 15 mins for 3ml's but cat appeared to tolerate it better.  On Monday we did have him wrapped but he was just so irritated.  He was very agitated all evening so we waited until he settled under H's fleece.  Thanks for the tapping suggestion; I remember we used to do that with the horses to keep their focus away from what the vet was doing.

jcg98

Bo is lucky to have parents who love him and want to make his life as comfortable as possible, and I'm certain that he knows it too.  T&Ps to all of you.

lbarr088

I'd say if he's more comfortable with the 20s then it's definitely worth it.  When dealing with critically ill pets I think top priority would be to keep them calm and comfortable.  Ts and Ps to you

[Deleted User]

Also, don't be discouraged. It's a big adjustment and you just have to find the method that works best for you. I was so frustrated trying to figure out how to best give Whisky his meds (he gets 3-4 a day) without stressing him out and it put me in tears the first few times.
But eventually, you figure it out. It gets easier, on you and him.

Marrin713

Sesh thanks.  We'll try the towel over his face as well.  In the avatar he has all his fur but he was shaved several weeks ago and without all that hair, he truly is a bag of bones.  I think I went a little too high between his shoulder blades and that's what caused the discomfort.  I noticed the tech went lower where there was a little more "meat" so to speak.  But it's amazing what a little fluids will do.  He perked up almost immediately and was almost his old mischievious self.

Thanks ladies.

Wiscisbliss

I am so sorry that you are going through this.  

If he loves eating is there anyway you could do it while he's eating?  So that he is very distracted and might not notice what you're up to until it's over?

Marrin713

Our major focus is to keep him comfortable and I hate like hell to subject him to all this but it's also vital.  And we got frustrated on Monday night so I think part of how we were feeling was conveyed to him and that's why all the agitation.

Marrin713

Wisc - I don't know.  He likes to drape himself over H's shoulder and one of the techs mentioned doing it that way but the other said no since Bo takes comfort in H's shoulder we don't want him to associate it with the fluids or pain.  We'll keep trying but if it's going to turn into a 3 ring circus every time we'll just take him in to vet or perhaps find a tech who will come to the house.  Just getting him to the vet these days stresses him out.

[Deleted User]

Yeah, if you hesitate or get frustrated, they know. I have to do all Whisky's meds quick, because if I hesitate, that's when he starts to fidget and get antsy.

LesPaul

I'm sorry, Marrin.  Poor kitty.

Marrin713

Thanks ladies for the suggestions and well wishes.  Off to work.  Have good days all!

NinaSchwab

My little guy was just diagnosed with Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA for short) a few days ago. It's a really weird and rare condition and it's fatal in over 50% of all animals that get it. My kitty is going to be okay because we caught it in time and his body is reacting very well to treatment.

I'm sorry you're going through hard times with your kitty- I know it's very tough to watch an animal deteoriate. Just be thankful he had so many wonderful years of health- my little guy is only 11 months old, so he's looking at a long road of medication and blood tests

Marrin713

Nina - good luck with your kitten.  I hope he continues to respond to treatment.  Bo was dx'ed with fibrosarcoma and given his age and other health factors, we know it'll be sooner rather than later.  He had his surgery two weeks ago and the tumor is already growing back   Vet was unable to get clean margins on the tumor (it's an oral tumor) because it was already in the bone and growing into the sinus cavity.