12/11 Gabby AMPS~145, +2~91, PMPS~161, +3~42, +4~79

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Yesterday's Condo

So the good news is that all of the fluids went into Gabby last night. The bad news is I couldn't see the bag all that well and she got about half of the amount she's supposed to get. Well, I suspect that it's better to give less than more.

 

[Amy&TrixieCat]

Working out all the kinks with fluids is a challenge, but you'll eventually figure out what works for you and Gabby. Hopefully fluids will help her start feeling better and improve her appy soon!

 

[Mandarin'sMom]

Less is definitely safer than more - and any amount will help. Just like with diabetes, it gets easier over time. Jazz (GA) was in chronic renal failure for years. It took us a while to figure out the best system and I was absolutely terrified of giving fluids in the beginning. I'm sure other people have already recommended Tanya's CRF page (http://felinecrf.com/) - but, if not, it's a great resource. Eventually, what worked best for me was small needles, Terumo brand only, and warm fluids. I think Jazz began to associate fluids with feeling better and came running as soon as I got the supplies out. She had great quality of life for a long time - in no small part thanks to the fluids.

 

[Anne & Zener GA]

We are crossing our paws this whole process gets easier real fast. We did many fluids showers all over the living room, Zener and us when we were learning.

 

[MaineLove]

Sienne - Thinking of you and Gabby. Hope her appy returns and she is feeling better soon and that you are more comfortable in caring for her. Kathe

 

[Ann & Maggie11 (GA)]

I hope the fluids are helping Gabby feel better. My little Maggie also had her share of part fluids, part bath.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Thank you all of your support! We had only a small puddle tonight and close to the desired amount of fluids that went into Gabby. I suspect that I lost track of the harpoon while I was closing off the drip. It is getting easier as I'm getting less apprehensive about the process. I just feel like I'm shoving pills down her throat all the time and the number of pills will increase once the phos binder and BP meds arrive, although the latter is a liquid..

 

[Vyktors Mum]

I knew you would be becoming the master already

You might want to get some of those gel caps for the pilling so so you can get a heap down in one go.

 

[suki & crystal (GA)]

Vines for you Sienne as you get to grips with another procedure, and feel better vines for Gabby.

 

[julie & punkin (ga)]

Sounds like you're mastering the art of the squids - it'll get easier. I thought I've seen people say they could mix the binder in with the food, rather than giving it in a capsule. I haven't done it so am not sure.

 

[rhiannon and shadow (GA)]

I know how you feel about being a pill pusher.... I think i'm an expert at it now.
I can almost get a pill down any cat .... just did a friend's rough and tumble boy.... I'm so fast that they don't know what i'm doing before I've got it down.
But you feel like you are torturing them....

i always recommend www.diamondbackdrugs.com to everyone.... they can compound anything for you.....
sometimes liquids are the way to go.

 

[Josie & Ripley (GA)]

I thought I've seen people say they could mix the binder in with the food, rather than giving it in acapsule.

True -- it was the easiest med! Just mix in food, let sit a few mins, and serve. Easy-peasy.

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

Sending vines to you Sienne and Gabby for a smooth transition to giving the Subcut fliuds. Sounds like you are already doing a great job!

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

@julie & punkin (ga) and @Josie & Ripley (GA):

The problem is that Gabby isn't polishing off her food. She's grazing. In addition, on occasion Gizmo and Gabby swap bowls. I could separate the cats but to do that, is hard given where the liter boxes are and that I'm gone all day. From what my vet said, the current thinking is that as long as the phos binder and food are both in the cat's GI track, the phos binder will do it's job. Thriving Pets has binder in capsule form. I can give binder with mini-meals.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

If you end up filling capsules, Ann gave me this address for chicken flavored capsules. Sending vines for Gabby's appy to return back to her usual.

 

[Tiger(GA) and Ruth]

Sending continuing vines for Gabby; hope you find a way to get those phos binders into her easily. I've heard that phos binder can cause constipation, if so, most all on Tanya's site use Miralax. (I know you don't want to keep stuffing pills down her, been there...at least Miralax is tasteless in food or syringe) Also, I've been trying to see if phosphorus binders can be given through subq fluids, but the darned Tanya's Website is down, it says it's been hacked :-(

 

[julie & punkin (ga)]

it's complicated when there is more than 1 cat in the house . . . i hadn't thought of the issue of Giz eating her food.

 

[Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA)]

Hi Sienne,
You have some challenges to deal with. Good thing it's Friday! We are sending all sorts of "logistics" vines, healing vines, sub Q vines, and some hugs for you.

Thanks for the vines you sent to Rusty.

 

[Judy and Boomer]

Happy to hear you had more success with the fluids! I too had a cat that needed fluids; it took two of us to do it (me holding Snickers while sitting on the floor and my husband monitoring the bag which was hanging from an over-the-door hook) and even then we were only successful about 75% of the time.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

@Tiger(GA) and Ruth - Tanya's site has been having ongoing problems. If you go a Google search, you'll see some of the links to the sub-pages. If you go to the sub-page, you don't get misdirected.

@Wendy&Neko - Thriving Pets has the phos binder in capsule form.