Hang in there! My cat Holly developed renal failure at the age of 19. The first time I gave her subQ fluids, everything went wrong - I dropped the needle on the floor, I didn't get the needle in right and the fluids went everywhere, she was scared because I was scared - but we got through it and it became almost routine.

A few things that I found that helped: bend a wire clothes hangar and make a hanger for the bag to go over the top of a door - if it's up high, the fluids flow faster. Warm the bag of fluids - I had a large 2 gallon freezer bag in which I would place the fluid bag; I would leave that sitting in a sink full of warm water for a few minutes so it was more comfortable for her. I also gave her a treat after each fluid treatment.

Are you using aluminum hydroxide as a phosphorus binder in his food?

If you haven't joined the Feline-CRF-Support group on Yahoo, I would advise you to do so. There are a lot of helpful people in the group, who are willing to give hints and advice.

Holly lived for eight more months, until her liver, not her kidneys, gave out. I'm sure the fluids made her more comfortable and extended her life.

indybear

Hi, thank you for the encouragement! I'm typing this around Freeway, who's curled up on my lap He says thank you too.

Wow, sounds like it was intense with you trying to do your first set of fluids! I knwo how stressful it is for us humans, I think our kitties take it in stride (even when it does hurt them a bit). We do ok but have the odd problem.

LOL, my wife and I switch off and take turns. One of us sticks him and the other stands on a chair and holds the bag up near the ceiling. It gives us a break so one of us isn't always stressed from poking Mr 'Way. I'm going to have to start warming the fluid bag. It's the end of summer here and going to start cooling down. I understand he'll be more sensitive to the cold (especially with as skinny as he is). With as hot and humid as it's been I haven't wanted to start doing the warming yet. Freeway gets food after his treatment. He expects it now. I trained him to expect treats after having his nails trimmed so it's applied to his fluids too.

We aren't using anything in his food. ? I don't know if it's available here. He's become stubborn and now refuses to eat his kidney food. He's always been picky, goes off something after a few feeds. We offer him the kidney stuff but also have regular down for the other 3 boys. He's lost a lot of weight and at this point if he's eating I'm happy.

I'll check the Yahoo group, thank you.

I'm sorry to hear about Holly. I'm sure you made her life better and more comfortable. I love my 'Way. I brought him to NZ with me 7 years ago. I came first, he finished his tests and came over, went through a month of quarantine where I got to visit him. I take each day as it comes with him. Every day is a gift. They are all precious to us, each has their special place in our hearts. We used to say we had a deaf one, a 3-legged, a 1-eyed and Mr Way who was a foreigner (that was his difference). Now he's got his CRF.

Thank you for your comment and encouragement.

Blessings,

Alex

Hang in there! My cat Holly developed renal failure at the age of 19. The first time I gave her subQ fluids, everything went wrong - I dropped the needle on the floor, I didn't get the needle in right and the fluids went everywhere, she was scared because I was scared - but we got through it and it became almost routine.

 

A few things that I found that helped: bend a wire clothes hangar and make a hanger for the bag to go over the top of a door - if it's up high, the fluids flow faster. Warm the bag of fluids - I had a large 2 gallon freezer bag in which I would place the fluid bag; I would leave that sitting in a sink full of warm water for a few minutes so it was more comfortable for her. I also gave her a treat after each fluid treatment.

 

Are you using aluminum hydroxide as a phosphorus binder in his food?

 

If you haven't joined the Feline-CRF-Support group on Yahoo, I would advise you to do so. There are a lot of helpful people in the group, who are willing to give hints and advice.

 

Holly lived for eight more months, until her liver, not her kidneys, gave out. I'm sure the fluids made her more comfortable and extended her life.

 

indybear