1/5 Bama Kitty AMPS 185 +4 126 +8 163; PMPS 222 +4 164 +8 216

[Bama Kitty Mom (GA)]

Yesterday: 1/4 Bama Kitty AMPS 211 +3 295 +9 350MPS 299 +4 191 +8 173

Bama decided to hang out in the upper 100s instead of going green. Maybe he won't bounce higher. He is eating well except when it comes to his psyllium-laced pumpkin but the psyllium is the best solution I have found for constipation. He had a nice poop this morning. Last night he got up for his tests and snacks. He still asks for syringed water even though he has full bowls of water available at all times. He thinks it is some kind of treat for Mama to hold the syringe in front of his mouth and depress the plunger while he furiously laps as the water comes out of the "nipple". Must bring back fond memories.

His sub-q sessions are going better since I got the Terumo size 20 needles. I like the faster flow of the 18s I got from the vet but the 18s are harder to insert and more painful. The roller on the IV set is hard to maneuver especially with just one hand. The clip is not much easier. I need one hand on him to keep him from hopping up which he does as soon as I remove my hand to close the roller. The needle then dislodges and I don't get a chance to "close the hole" so he leaks a bit. On the next IV set I will add another clip higher up and have my mom close it since she is the one monitoring the fluid level in the bag. I'll continue to work the lower end. We have no more reinforcements [extra hands] to call in.

 

[carfurby (GA)]

I hope Bama slides down and surfs today. Silly kitty that he likes drinking from the syringe.

 

[Gus the Furminator]

Bama kitty and Gus are AMPS twinsies today 185 Hope they slide down together!

Gus actually likes to catch the water out of the syringes (my dentist gave me a few needless syringes) I fill it up and squirt it at him (well in his direction) and he will chomp down on the water stream, he begs for me to do this any time we’re in the upstairs bathroom, he loves it

 

[Bama Kitty Mom (GA)]

Bama is sliding down today. I've got to go out for a few hours. Don't think he'll get into the limes but one never knows. I hate all this uncertainty. He's eating a snack now.

 

[Little Man's mom (GA)]

Bama is sliding down today. I've got to go out for a few hours. Don't think he'll get into the limes but one never knows. I hate all this uncertainty. He's eating a snack now.

This is my issue as well! When I have to leave and be put I hate not knowing what they will do while I'm gone.

FD is so unpredictable and these cats sure like to work that unpredictability just cause well they are cats!

 

[Bandit's Mom]

His sub-q sessions are going better since I got the Terumo size 20 needles. I like the faster flow of the 18s I got from the vet but the 18s are harder to insert and more painful. The roller on the IV set is hard to maneuver especially with just one hand. The clip is not much easier. I need one hand on him to keep him from hopping up which he does as soon as I remove my hand to close the roller. The needle then dislodges and I don't get a chance to "close the hole" so he leaks a bit. On the next IV set I will add another clip higher up and have my mom close it since she is the one monitoring the fluid level in the bag. I'll continue to work the lower end. We have no more reinforcements [extra hands] to call in.

Yup, the 18G neeedles are called kitty harpoons! The flow is much faster though. I use 21G needles.

When you start to use a new IV line, you can move the roller up or down the line to the place you want it to be. So before you "prime" the line, move the roller high enough for your mother to reach. It is hard to manage everything alone with squirmy kitties. Bandit is a saint, but she hasn't taken to sub-qs at all. She escaped this evening before we could get our quota of fluids in.

 

[Tiger(GA) and Ruth]

I hope Bama Kitty is surfing safely while you are out today. I give you all the credit in the world, doing sub-Q always scared the bejeebers out of me, especially with no extra hands on deck.

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

Darcy is the only kitty I've ever had where I tried doing sub-q fluids all by myself without somebody else to feed them or pet their head. But he was the best boy in the world (tearing up now.. still miss him a lot) ... anyway, that thing Bama does where he wants you to syringe water into his mouth is just about the cutest thing I've ever heard!

You should be able to move the roller clamp (of the other clamp) up and down the IV tube for your mom to reach? They do sell IV sets with extra long tubes as well. I've never used one, but I've seen them for sale.

He had such a great blue day. I hope tonight will be just as good, Gina! Did you mom ever get to her appointment? They didn't charge did they?

 

[Tiger(GA) and Ruth]

@Suzanne & Darcy , I'm so sorry you lost your Darcy, he sounds like such a good boy. I give all of you who give subQ fluids so much credit, I would have passed out with fear.

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

@Suzanne & Darcy , I'm so sorry you lost your Darcy, he sounds like such a good boy. I give all of you who give subQ fluids so much credit, I would have passed out with fear.

I thought that I could never do it with my first cat that needed sub-q fluids. Gosh that was a long time ago. I remember the vet tech showing me how. When I tried it, I think my hands were shaking. I have now had several cats that needed sub-q fluids. When you have as many cats as I do, it’s inevitable.

 

[Bama Kitty Mom (GA)]

Darcy is the only kitty I've ever had where I tried doing sub-q fluids all by myself without somebody else to feed them or pet their head. But he was the best boy in the world (tearing up now.. still miss him a lot) ... anyway, that thing Bama does where he wants you to syringe water into his mouth is just about the cutest thing I've ever heard!

You should be able to move the roller clamp (of the other clamp) up and down the IV tube for your mom to reach? They do sell IV sets with extra long tubes as well. I've never used one, but I've seen them for sale.

He had such a great blue day. I hope tonight will be just as good, Gina! Did you mom ever get to her appointment? They didn't charge did they?

Problem is Mom has arthritis and very little strength in her hands so she can't move it even with 2 hands. I think if I moving the clip up for her to reach, she can use that to shut off the flow or maybe I'll get a clothes pin or something. We did get the appointment moved to the next day and no charge.

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

Problem is Mom has arthritis and very little strength in her hands so she can't move it even with 2 hands. I think if I moving the clip up for her to reach, she can use that to shut off the flow or maybe I'll get a clothes pin or something. We did get the appointment moved to the next day and no charge.

Oh, I am sorry for her poor hands! I think even if you just bend over the tubing to pinch off the flow it would work until you could cut it off - long enough to slide the needle out, etc. Just another thou - I don’t know if even that might be too difficult. Sorry!

 

[Little Man's mom (GA)]

I had to do fluids on LM years ago when he had the cystitis and blockage. There were times I had to do alone. Suzanne's suggestion of folding tubing to pinch off does work. It's not ideal but hey do what you gotta some times

 

[Bama Kitty Mom (GA)]

I had to do fluids on LM years ago when he had the cystitis and blockage. There were times I had to do alone. Suzanne's suggestion of folding tubing to pinch off does work. It's not ideal but hey do what you gotta some times

Bama starts trying to get away as soon as he feels anything happening to the line. Best I have found is to slide the clip to pinch the line closed, remove the needle and let my mom cap it while I try to hold my hand on Bama to "close the hole". Then offer a snack.