Kidney disease and Diabtes

[Anitafrnhamer]

LRS is the preferred fluid for CKD. Your vet (hopefully) can direct you on the optimum fluid to use of the choices available.

The Terumo UTW are the ones most kidney cat owners use. The one the vets give are typically 18 gauge and we fondly call those kitty harpoons because they are so large. So we use a smaller gauge needle and the UTW style just helps the fluid flow a little faster.

I am (was) very needle phobic; so much so my hands would tremble when I first started giving insulin. When we had to start fluid it was almost as bad. I just kept telling myself it was just like giving insulin only a higher quantity. You'll get the hang of it.

One thing I did want to bring up----is Ben's diabetes well regulated? Sometimes the kidney values can be elevated if the diabetes has not been fully regulated and once you get it under control those kidney values can come down a little.

In the mean time, here is another food list that covers a lot of different brands and flavors. The key in addition to low carbs is to feed a food that is <1% phosphorus. http://www.felinecrf.org/canned_food_usa.htm#canned_usa

 

[Benshuman]

LRS is the preferred fluid for CKD. Your vet (hopefully) can direct you on the optimum fluid to use of the choices available.

The Terumo UTW are the ones most kidney cat owners use. The one the vets give are typically 18 gauge and we fondly call those kitty harpoons because they are so large. So we use a smaller gauge needle and the UTW style just helps the fluid flow a little faster.

I am (was) very needle phobic; so much so my hands would tremble when I first started giving insulin. When we had to start fluid it was almost as bad. I just kept telling myself it was just like giving insulin only a higher quantity. You'll get the hang of it.

One thing I did want to bring up----is Ben's diabetes well regulated? Sometimes the kidney values can be elevated if the diabetes has not been fully regulated and once you get it under control those kidney values can come down a little.

In the mean time, here is another food list that covers a lot of different brands and flavors. The key in addition to low carbs is to feed a food that is <1% phosphorus. http://www.felinecrf.org/canned_food_usa.htm#canned_usa

Oh yes the needle is large, I asked the vet tech is there a smaller one and she said no because it would slow down the flow of fluids going into him. His diabetes is not regulated as of yet. I take him in Wednesday for a glucose check and on Monday my Alpahatrak 2 will arrive. I went with that one because the vet uses it and I wanted to be as accurate as I can be to make it easier for me to monitor Ben. This way the values will be the same as the vet.

How do you regulate the food with a multiple cat household. I have 2 four years olds, one 9 year old and one 13 year old (she needs to go to the vet for a check because of trembling head that has happened 3 times in a month). To keep my 4 cats away from my special needs dog food I have to leave dry food out for them or they eat his prescription hepatic dog food. I still give them a lot of wet food too though. Thank you for the food link I will go look at it, trying to figure out what Ben likes to eat is a challenge too. He didn't like the prescription diets, the last one I tried was the hi tor neo I think it's called. He will eat the Wellness Turkey grain free but because he doesn't clean his plate how do I give him phosphorus if he wont eat all the food? Could you please give me the link for the needles you suggested.

How did you ever get over your fear of giving fluids? I am so worried I will poke through his skin.

I have issues with the insulin just trying to get air bubbles out of the needle, I caused something to leak on the insulin by flicking the needle trying to get the tiny tiny little bit of air out.

Ben is at 200 ml twice a week for fluids.

I am trying a new fountain because he didn't like the last one.

Thanks for all of the information, I am still so confused and overwhelmed.

 

[BJM]

Poking through the skin may happen. You just pull out and try again. Be sure to roll up enough skin to make a good tented area to insert the syringe.
Also, a slightly smaller syringe may be compensated for by placing the fluid bag under your arm and applying some pressure to push the fluids in faster (like a bagpipe!) Your cat may be more comfortable if you warm the fluids to baby bottle temperature by placing them in a bowl of warm water for several minutes before infusing. Check the temp on your wrist to make sure it is comfortable.

 

[Anitafrnhamer]

Oh yes the needle is large, I asked the vet tech is there a smaller one and she said no because it would slow down the flow of fluids going into him.

Here is the flow rate chart based on how long it takes to give 100 mL http://www.felinecrf.org/subcutaneous_fluids_tips.htm. Vets typically use the 18 gauge Monoject which has an average flow rate of 1:18. I use the Terumo UTW 21 gauge and only give 50 mL, the flow rate for that is 1:14. The UTW needles have a thinner inner wall so the fluids do flow pretty fast. I'll pm you the link for the needles.

How do you regulate the food with a multiple cat household.

I have to ride shotgun at meal time. I put the younger cat's food in the top of the 6 foot cat tree and Squeaker is not a climber fortunately.

For the binder, just take however much you are going to feed Ben in one meal and add half the binder, mixing thoroughly. When he has eaten all he wants just pick up the bowl. Just be watchful that no one else eats the food with the binder.


How did you ever get over your fear of giving fluids? I am so worried I will poke through his skin.

I have done this once or twice. It bothers us more than it does them. Just pull up a good handful of scruff as high as you can get it then insert the needle at a 45 degree angle parallel to the spine. If you go with a 1" needle you'll be fine.

I have issues with the insulin just trying to get air bubbles out of the needle, I caused something to leak on the insulin by flicking the needle trying to get the tiny tiny little bit of air out.

Overfill the syringe a little. Hold it straight up in the air and snap it several times with your fingernail (a flicking type motion). That should knock the air to the top of the syringe, then just shoot the extra little bit of insulin out of the needle over the sink.