Needing advice on giving sub-q fluids

[Blue and Freddies Mom]

Hello all,

I haven't been on this board for a while. I have a 15 year old diabetic who has been tremendously helped in the past by this website. Our latest news is that Freddie has kidney disease and needs to go on subcutaneous fluids. I am a little overwhelmed as I have two diabetics cats and have been giving them shots for many, many years and the thought of pricking Freddie with more needles and having more work to do before bed is killing me. However, at this stage I can't just let him die of kidney disease, so I am going to start giving him fluids. :roll: The good news is he is a really mellow, sweet-natured cat and is very tolerant.

I went to the vet and they trained me, they said at this stage he needs to have his fluids once a day. My question is this: If I miss a day occassionaly is that a big problem. Also, just in general how were other people's experiences with getting use to giving fluids?

I love my Freddie but having taken care of my two diabetics for 12 years has somewhat grounded me in life and I'm worried this will ground me even more. I also have a high-maintenance dog and two kids so am feeling a little overwhelmed.

Any thoughts would he greatly appreciated.

 

[BJM]

Set yourself a spot where you can hang the fluids, and sit comfortably holding him.

An 18 gauge needle is wider than a 20. I'd use the 20.

Another tip - I saw a vet tech place the bag of fluids under her arm and squeeze on it like a bagpipe to speed up the flow.

Some cats become squirmy about the time the amount makes enough of a pocket they can feel it. A towel to burrito wrap them into place may help with that.

Warm the fluids to body temp by placing in a bowl of warm water, especially if the cat lacks much body fat.

Look for low carb foods which are low phosphorus too.

 

[Deb & Wink]

Shortcut shopping list <250 phosphorus. Adapted from Rhiannon & Shadow’s shortcut list
all values are from Dr. Pierson's updated list, September 2012

carbs in % . . last number is phosphorus ( FKD cats need under 250 phosphorus)

5% - Friskies Special diet Beef and Liver entree 241
5% - Friskies Special diet Turkey and Giblets dinner pate 189
5% - Friskies Special diet Beef and Chicken Entree pate 242
7% - Friskies Special Diet with Salmon 228

3% Weruva Paw Lickin' chicken 196
9% Weruva Green Eggs & chicken 230
4% Weruva On the Cat Wok 163
5% Weruva Steak Frites 118
7% Weruva MidEast Feast 202

Weruva Cats in the Kitchen canned food
3% La Isla Bonita 166
8% Funk in the Trunk 250
4% Fowl Ball 180
8% Lamb Burger-ini 236
2% Chicken Frick 'A Zee 174
8% The Double Dip 248

5% - Merrick Cowboy cookout 202
8% - Merrick Grammy's pot pie 237
3% - Merrick Surf n Turf 229
9% -Merrick Turducken 219

1% - Merrick Before Grain cat 96% beef – 163
2% - Merrick Before Grain cat 96% turkey – 178

5% - Wellness Kitten 216
4% - Wellness chicken 219
4% - Wellness turkey 201
4% - Wellness Beef and chicken 226
6% - Wellness beef & salmon 207


8% - Wellness Core chicken/turkey/chicken liver 215
5% - Wellness Core Beef , Venison & Lamb 171

3% - Nature's Variety Instinct Grain free Beef – 248
1% - Nature's Variety Instinct Grain free Duck 191

2% - Natura Evo 95% chicken and turkey 155
4% - Natura Evo 95% beef – 234

2% Hounds & Gatos chicken 241
9% Hounds & Gatos Beef 250
3% Hounds & Gatos Lamb/chicken/salmon 225
3% Hounds & Gatos Lamb & Duck Liver 244

8% -Holistic Select chicken & lamb 222

3% Soulistic Polynesian Picnic 239
4% Soulistic Celestial Feast 250
7% Soulistic Upstream Dream 234
8% Soulistic Nautical Nirvana 228

9% Max Cat Chicken Supreme 173
8% Max Cat with savory duck 197
8% Max Cat with Savory Venison 214

8% Avoderm Chicken Chunks/gravy 234
2% Avoderm Tuna % chicken w/ veggies 241

9% Halo Succulent Salmon 227

1% Eukanuba adult Entree with gourmet chicken 239
8% Eukanuba adult Entree with Lamb and Rice 230
3% Eukanuba adult Entree with Pacific Salmon 241

7% Evolve -chicken 214
6% Evolve turkey 244

0% Natural Balance O'Fischally Scampi 244

5% Pinnacle Chicken and Ocean fish 175
5% Pinnacle Chicken and Tuna 221
4% Pinnacle Ocean Fish 231

3% Authority Chicken 238
7% Authority Turkey & Giblets 222
8% Authority Beef 249


BFF (Best Feline Friends ) also made by Weruva
BFF 2% Tuna and Chicken 234
BFF 2% Tuna and Salmon soulmates 236
BFF 2% Tuna and Shrimp Sweethearts 236
BFF 2% Tuna and Bonito Be Mine 240
BFF 2% Tuna & Tilapia Twosome 240
BFF 5% Tuna & Pumpkin Valentine 243
BFF 2% Tuna & Chicken Chuckles 234

8% Dr Fosters and Smiths Chicken 204

2% ZiwiPeak Lamb 224

 

[Blue and Freddies Mom]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Very useful!

 

[Carl & Polly & Bob (GA)]

If you do get to a point where you are administering fluids at home, Marje - who posts in Lantus TR daily - made this video on how to give fluids at home. I wish she'd done it a couple years ago when I was having to give Bob fluids every day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtSzMuDgx78