Just jabbed MY finger with sub q fluids needle...

Status
Not open for further replies.
Kathryn & Nugget

Kathryn & Nugget

Member Since 2018
OUCHHHHHH!!!

Today was Day 2 of at home sub q fluids. I had a lot of trouble getting yesterday’s needle off the tubing. So much trouble that the used 18 gauge needle got me but good.

Bled A LOT. Didn’t really hurt when it happened- I let it bleed for about 20 seconds and then I put pressure to stop the bleeding. Finally got the needle off, put the new one on, and gave her the fluids.

Washed my hand and put a triple antibiotic ointment on and bandaged my finger.

Do I need to go to the doctor? It’s starting to hurt and it was a used needle that was in Nugget yesterday.

I am afraid to tell my SO that I did this... he has a tremendous needle phobia to begin with!!!!

All advice and suggestions welcome.
 
I strongly doubt that there will be a problem. You've done all all the right things afterwards. Your finger hurts now because you poked it with a needle. Sharp little things, aren't they? Lots of nerve endings in the fingers.

Next time you have trouble taking off a used needle, use a pair of pliers to grasp the needle.
 
Red & Rover (GA) said:
I strongly doubt that there will be a problem. You've done all all the right things afterwards. Your finger hurts now because you poked it with a needle. Sharp little things, aren't they? Lots of nerve endings in the fingers.

Next time you have trouble taking off a used needle, use a pair of pliers to grasp the needle.
Click to expand...
Sharp is an understatement!!!! And it was right under my nail so ouch ouch ouch. If the area that is cut starts to turn red or hot to the touch I have an urgent care 10 minutes away.

Yes needlenose pliers to the rescue. That’s what I ended up doing. My SO did it yesterday without a problem, but he’s having such a hard time accepting the prognosis of our little girl I’m trying to take some of the stress off his shoulders (he still has to go to work and I am off for the summer).
 
18g needles are big – far too big. Have you tried a 20g or 22g needle? Fluids take a bit longer to deliver, is all. If you get Terumo needles (the ultra thin wall ones), the fluids will run just as fast as with an 18g needle. Much easier on the cat. Terumo are the creme de la creme of needles.
 
Red & Rover (GA) said:
I'm sure a pharmacy or your vet would sell/give you a few 20g / 22g needles to try (doesn't have to be Terumo).
Click to expand...
Hmm. I am new to sub q fluids, so I just used whatever they gave me when Nugget was discharged from the hospital. I haven’t noticed any significant bleeding or that she is uncomfortable. We go for our follow up with the internal medicine vet at the hospital on Tuesday. I’ll ask about a smaller needle- especially because they might tell me I have to give fluids more than once a day.
 
Red & Rover (GA) said:
18g needles are big – far too big. Have you tried a 20g or 22g needle? Fluids take a bit longer to deliver, is all. If you get Terumo needles (the ultra thin wall ones), the fluids will run just as fast as with an 18g needle. Much easier on the cat. Terumo are the creme de la creme of needles.
Click to expand...
I am also new to sub-q and just switched from 18g monojet (bought from the vet) to terumo 20g, 1” thin wall. The fluid flow is better than the 18g. I tried 22g, 0.75” long monojet (from the vet) and didnt like it. Flow was slow and the needle kept coming out.
 
JeffJ said:
The last time I jabbed myself with the insulin needle, I noticed that I started licking my hands the next day. Also cat food started to look good.

In the end, the needle was likely sterile. But that can surely hurt.
Click to expand...
I've jabbed myself with the lancets and the insulin needle too... not nearly as painful as this one. It already looks much better today, healing quickly (thank you triple antibiotic stuff!)
 
Omgosh I did that 2 weeks ago, my thumb is still sore. I felt it hit the bone. Pliers???!!! Well there's a Great idea!!
 
The triple antibiotic stuff is great.

Could be worse. When my Mom was 19 or 20 (I wasn't born), she had a sewing machine that plunged a needle through her finger and bone. They got it out at the hospital. Later in life she never said anything about it, so I guess it fully healed. Must have hurt big time!
 
Chris & China said:
We've all stuck, stabbed and sliced ourselves on various things since beginning our sugardance.

The worst thing that'll happen is you'll have an overwhelming desire for tuna, and laying in a sunny spot on the floor will all the sudden seem like the best idea ever ;)
Click to expand...
hahaha :-)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top