I Think My 13 Year Old Has Kidney Problems... - Page 2

G-Ram · 09-09-2009, 04:01 PM

Yeah I mean when we seen her not eating and getting smaller it was a sign. To get her to eat we were feeding her canned fish but we are now stopping since I read that there is too much salt in it. The doctor wants us to get soft food in her diet instead of all dry food but right now we are just trying to get her to eat dry food again then make the transition.

She's in a much better mood and frisky at night. Though she HATES getting the IV's done.

Crystal211 · 09-09-2009, 04:26 PM

How are you doing with giving her the IVs? I was sooo nervous but it turned out okay, and by now we're pros.

laurief · 09-09-2009, 04:31 PM

Are you warming the fluids before you administer them? That can make all the difference for a cat's comfort. Room temp fluids can badly chill a cat and make subQ administration extremely uncomfortable for them. I warm Billy's fluids by placing the bag in a sink of hot water, being careful to keep the connection between the bag and line out of the water and perfectly dry. When the sink water has cooled enough so that I can comfortably hold my wrist in it, I know the fluid in the bag will also be comfortably warm for Billy. Do NOT warm fluids in a microwave, and ALWAYS check the fluid temp on your own wrist before administering it to your cat. When in doubt, err on the side of a little too cool rather than any too warm.

Another aspect of fluid admin that can cause cats discomfort is the needle used. Most vets use 18 gauge Monoject needles, but they are not the best choice. Monojects are poorly made and sometimes have small spurs in the tips of the needles that cause pain to the cat. Many of us CRF caretakers prefer to use 20 gauge, Ultra Thin Wall (UTW) Terumo needles which are sharper and make a smaller hole in the cat. You can buy Terumos here:

http://www.thrivingpets.com/products/it ... ckId=392N1

Laurie

G-Ram · 09-09-2009, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crystal211

How are you doing with giving her the IVs? I was sooo nervous but it turned out okay, and by now we're pros.

She's been ok. The first time was easy, but as her strength came back it got worse and worse lol

Crystal211 · 09-09-2009, 05:27 PM

I hear you! I've got the "rabbit kicker" over here. I have to hold around her chest or she'll bounce right off my lap and rip the needle out.

G-Ram · 09-11-2009, 12:20 AM

Good news for the tests. Her Kidney scale came down to normal. We have reduced the IV's to twice a week at 100 ML each now. We are also going to start getting her some canned food, she always ate only dry food before.

Crystal211 · 09-11-2009, 08:35 AM

Awesome, great news!!

09-09-2009, 04:01 PM	#11 (permalink)
G-Ram Kitten Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 9	Re: I Think My 13 Year Old Has Kidney Problems... Yeah I mean when we seen her not eating and getting smaller it was a sign. To get her to eat we were feeding her canned fish but we are now stopping since I read that there is too much salt in it. The doctor wants us to get soft food in her diet instead of all dry food but right now we are just trying to get her to eat dry food again then make the transition. She's in a much better mood and frisky at night. Though she HATES getting the IV's done.

09-09-2009, 04:26 PM	#12 (permalink)
Crystal211 Banned Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 3,988	Re: I Think My 13 Year Old Has Kidney Problems... How are you doing with giving her the IVs? I was sooo nervous but it turned out okay, and by now we're pros.

09-09-2009, 04:31 PM	#13 (permalink)
laurief Cat Addict Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: northern Minnesota Posts: 2,576	Re: I Think My 13 Year Old Has Kidney Problems... Are you warming the fluids before you administer them? That can make all the difference for a cat's comfort. Room temp fluids can badly chill a cat and make subQ administration extremely uncomfortable for them. I warm Billy's fluids by placing the bag in a sink of hot water, being careful to keep the connection between the bag and line out of the water and perfectly dry. When the sink water has cooled enough so that I can comfortably hold my wrist in it, I know the fluid in the bag will also be comfortably warm for Billy. Do NOT warm fluids in a microwave, and ALWAYS check the fluid temp on your own wrist before administering it to your cat. When in doubt, err on the side of a little too cool rather than any too warm. Another aspect of fluid admin that can cause cats discomfort is the needle used. Most vets use 18 gauge Monoject needles, but they are not the best choice. Monojects are poorly made and sometimes have small spurs in the tips of the needles that cause pain to the cat. Many of us CRF caretakers prefer to use 20 gauge, Ultra Thin Wall (UTW) Terumo needles which are sharper and make a smaller hole in the cat. You can buy Terumos here: http://www.thrivingpets.com/products/it ... ckId=392N1 Laurie

09-09-2009, 05:27 PM	#15 (permalink)
Crystal211 Banned Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 3,988	Re: I Think My 13 Year Old Has Kidney Problems... I hear you! I've got the "rabbit kicker" over here. I have to hold around her chest or she'll bounce right off my lap and rip the needle out.

09-11-2009, 12:20 AM	#16 (permalink)
G-Ram Kitten Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 9	Re: I Think My 13 Year Old Has Kidney Problems... Good news for the tests. Her Kidney scale came down to normal. We have reduced the IV's to twice a week at 100 ML each now. We are also going to start getting her some canned food, she always ate only dry food before.

09-11-2009, 08:35 AM	#17 (permalink)
Crystal211 Banned Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 3,988	Re: I Think My 13 Year Old Has Kidney Problems... Awesome, great news!!

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