1/26 Ruby AMPS 95/+2.5 67/+3.5 65/+4.5 49/+5 72/+5.5 80/+8 78/PMPS 94/+2 84/+4 78

Katherine&Ruby

Katherine&Ruby

Member Since 2020
Previous condo: https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/1-23-ruby-pmps-97.241928/

Hi everyone! We've been away from the board for a few days but today Ruby earned a reduction, finally, and we're now at .1 units! So excited! I have learned the benefits of a good pair of patients pants. :) Hoping we can get her AM preshots down. Since I don't have an autofeeder, I may start waking up at her +9 (4 AM) to give her a little snack to see if that helps. Anyone have a suggestion as to how much to feed at that time? A few teaspoons of LC?

The subQ experience, on the other hand, has not been going so well. I tried on Sunday and she ran away after I stuck her with the big needle. We tried again yesterday and the needle stayed in for a bit longer but the fluids kept running out and then she bolted and the needle came off, fluids flying everywhere. Will try again in a few more days. Might have to get the EZ IV Harness that Wendy suggested.

Hope everyone is well. Love to see all of these :otj: trials and parties going on. :joyful: :bighug:
 
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Congrats on the reduction. Max was not a fan of fluids at first. I started giving them in my small powder room with the door closed. I held the needle in place. There were times when it came out and he got all wet. I found a special treat that he loved and eventually it got easier. :D
 
Are you warming the fluids slightly before giving them? I too used the bathroom for giving fluids and parked Neko in front of the hot air duct. With a scattering of freeze dried chicken on her heat reflective pad. You could try doing the "setup" and treats and stroking, without the poke, a few times first. It's just like ear testing, they need to get comfy with the routine and associated treats with it. Also what gauge needle are you using? I couldn't do anything below 20g.

A couple tsps of the LC at +9 should do it. Again, time to experiment. Ruby's looking great. :D
 
PerfumedCatMom said:
That's an idea. Ruby isn't very treat oriented but maybe some pieces of canned unsalted tuna or salmon would keep her occupied for a few minutes. Thanks, Elise!
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Max got a piece of shrimp. Instead of running under the bed when done he waited for his shrimp. He was food oriented until he became diabetic. When he blocked at 5 he needed to eat before he could come home after surgery. They called me to bring a favorite food. He didn’t have one. I had only fed him cat food. He would not even eat tuna. He fortunately ate a little Gerbers baby food to get released.
 
Wendy&Neko said:
Are you warming the fluids slightly before giving them? I too used the bathroom for giving fluids and parked Neko in front of the hot air duct. With a scattering of freeze dried chicken on her heat reflective pad. You could try doing the "setup" and treats and stroking, without the poke, a few times first. It's just like ear testing, they need to get comfy with the routine and associated treats with it. Also what gauge needle are you using? I couldn't do anything below 20g.

A couple tsps of the LC at +9 should do it. Again, time to experiment. Ruby's looking great. :D
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I am indeed warming the fluids. I'm following what Marje did in her video--warming the fluids in a loaf pan, checking the temp with a contactless thermometer to make sure it was around 98-100 degrees F. The second time I ran the fluids through the line a bit in case the water in it didn't get warm and so she didn't freak out as quickly. I am using 20 gauge Terumos. You're right though, I should do a few practice runs to get her used to it. I was trying to give her fluids on the living room couch where I test her, but maybe for the fluids I should take her into the bathroom with her plush cat bed that she loves napping in and sit on the floor for a while with some tuna and use that as our "subQ room".

Thank you for the snack tip. I've noticed that her numbers go a lower on higher carb (6-8%) lately, so I will try that in the hopes it will not backfire.
 
Congratulations on the reduction Lots to keep track of with food, snacks, tests and fluids! With one of our cats several years ago, Bart eventually just got used to being petted and praised while he got his fluids - with a treat at the end. It took some time but I’m sure you’ll find it gets easier
 
Colio said:
Congratulations on the reduction Lots to keep track of with food, snacks, tests and fluids! With one of our cats several years ago, Bart eventually just got used to being petted and praised while he got his fluids - with a treat at the end. It took some time but I’m sure you’ll find it gets easier
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Hi Elizabeth! Thanks for the encouraging words. Bart sounds like a real trooper. Ruby is too. I know it will get easier. I never thought I would get the hang of poking her ears either but here we are. ;) I think a lot of the reason why the first two attempts were so fraught was because I am a bit needlephobic myself, so she probably sensed how stressed I was at the idea of poking her with one so much larger than her insulin needle.
 
Congratulations on the reduction!!
Hopefully the fluids gets easier!!! Last time Grem was at the vet she decided to give him fluids. He was okay-ish for one but when she tried a second, that was it! NOPE! I'm glad he doesn't need it all the time. Yet...
 
Laura and Gremlin said:
Congratulations on the reduction!!
Hopefully the fluids gets easier!!! Last time Grem was at the vet she decided to give him fluids. He was okay-ish for one but when she tried a second, that was it! NOPE! I'm glad he doesn't need it all the time. Yet...
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I know Ruby's had fluids at the vet before, but she's a lot more docile there I think because she's too scared to pull anything funny, poor thing.
 
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