27 Jan | Girlie AMPS 176 Enema question

[Girlie's mom]

Condo: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/26-jan-girlie-amps-178-3-67.190189/

Day 3 with a higher than desirable AMPS (178), but she still goes down to green for the rest of the day...

Enemas: Does anyone have experience giving an enema just by yourself? I get the mobile vet to come over and I hold the front end while she does the back end, but it would be great if I could just do it myself. I'm not sure how/if I could manage that, though. Anyone have any tips, perhaps? Or is it usually a two-person job?
@Carol in Chicago , you mentioned enemas on another thread, so I thought I'd tag you on this...

 

[Girlie's mom]

Yup done that too
Girlie's SS is amazing. So happy to see that and hear she's getting around better and feeling good.

Thanks @Beenie - she's turned a corner due to Levmir, I firmly believe. And it's good to know that I'm not the only poo photographer!

I hope Ming is doing well!

 

[Tracey&Jones (GA)]

No advice on the enemas, but wondering if she is willing to sit still if doable. Can't wait for the advice you get.

Hope you are doing well yourself and are fully recovered.

 

[Stacy & Asia]

No experience with this stuff, but I have to say, Darrah, you are becoming quite the poo professional! Plastic sheets, bubble wrap suit, a whole gallery of BMs, and now enemas!

I hope Girlie figures out how to be less dramatic with the back end stuff as she has figured out how to be with insulin.

 

[Carol in Chicago]

Enemas: Does anyone have experience giving an enema just by yourself? I get the mobile vet to come over and I hold the front end while she does the back end, but it would be great if I could just do it myself. I'm not sure how/if I could manage that, though. Anyone have any tips, perhaps? Or is it usually a two-person job?
@Carol in Chicago , you mentioned enemas on another thread, so I thought I'd tag you on this...

Hi Darrah - I think this is a two person job, but I can suggest how to do it by yourself if required. To do the "back end" you need two gloved hands one will hold the tail and the other will hold the tube. Meanwhile, Girlie will have to be kept upright and still. Assuming she is a good patient and has done this before a few times with no issues, the best suggestion I would have is to use a chest harness with some tension to hold her upright. Hope that makes sense.

 

[Girlie's mom]

Hi Darrah - I think this is a two person job, but I can suggest how to do it by yourself if required. To do the "back end" you need two gloved hands one will hold the tail and the other will hold the tube. Meanwhile, Girlie will have to be kept upright and still. Assuming she is a good patient and has done this before a few times with no issues, the best suggestion I would have is to use a chest harness with some tension to hold her upright. Hope that makes sense.

That makes perfect sense, but I don't think she'll stand still for this one! I did try it once on my own the first time - you can well imagine the look of disgust I got from her - absolute, utter disgust!

I do have a chest harness, so perhaps I could practice that with her without doing the actual enema. Or I just rely on the mobile vet; she doesn't charge much to come out and do it - it's just that I'd like to have the freedom to do it when I want, as I always end up calling her last minute. She always fits us in, but it's a bit of a drama.

Thank you so much, though, for the tips!

 

[Girlie's mom]

No experience with this stuff, but I have to say, Darrah, you are becoming quite the poo professional! Plastic sheets, bubble wrap suit, a whole gallery of BMs, and now enemas!

I hope Girlie figures out how to be less dramatic with the back end stuff as she has figured out how to be with insulin.

Well, what can I say, Stacy? Perhaps I missed my true calling in life....not!

So far, so good this week. Poor thing has to content with arthritis, and it's hard for her to stand up in the correct position for too long to poo. I think that adds to the problem as well. But perhaps as her BG levels stay at these nice numbers it will help with the constipation. She does have CKD, though early stages so far, so that will contribute to this as well. She's a dignified senior lady with senior lady issues! I'm sure Miss Asia would understand...

 

[Girlie's mom]

No advice on the enemas, but wondering if she is willing to sit still if doable. Can't wait for the advice you get.

Hope you are doing well yourself and are fully recovered.

Not fully recovered yet, but at least Girlie's steadiness allows me to get some more sleep in. I just keep running from doctor to doctor myself for more tests. Girlie and I are keeping medical professionals busy, that's for sure!

 

[Bobbie And Bubba]

I use to give them to my cat, Sug. Gosh, that was a long time ago and if I remember correctly, I did them with my husband's help.