Ideas - Cat with high temperature, not eating, but . .

[Alex_and_Bodie_s_Mom]

Nigel could use some jingles from everyone.

He’d been NQR again for the past week or so, then last night and this morning did not want to eat or drink, and hid last night. So I took him to the vet. Blood panel shows acute kidney injury.

The vet was quite candid that although cats can come out of this, it’s unlikely.

We loaded him up on subQ’s, and brought him home. He has eaten since he’s been home, and he’s vocal and his eyes are brighter, so the fluids are already helping him feel better, for sure. I had a bag of Royal Canin kidney diet, so we started him on that. Though he’s a picky eater, he did eat some. Problem is, everyone else likes it, too.

This is just so heartbreaking after everything he’s been through this past year. I thought he’d get to live a quiet, happy, healthy life for several more years.

[rubygirl1968]

Jingles for Nigel!!

Poor guy. I hope the vet is incorrect and he does come out of this.

[Zu_Zu]

JINGLES & AO for your beloved Nigel !!!

I’m so sorry to read this •

((Hugs)) laced with strength for ALL !

[ravenclaw]

Sending good, strong vibes to you and Nigel. I have thought about him a few times when reading about the new kitten. Hoping so much that he comes through this too.

[BUSY]

Jingles for dear Nigel !

[shiloh]

Oh poor Nigel. Jingling loudly and vigorously for him.

One of my cats did the same thing years ago, acute kidney failure/injury, my vet was quite encouraging. He said the big problem was getting them to eat so he did not care what the cat ate so long as she ate. After she felt a bit better she could eat the prescription diet. She was on fluids for some time and though in the end she lost that kidney (it just atrophied), she lived for many years after that before cancer finally got her.

I hope your vet is wrong and he recovers. Hugs to you and Nigel

[Alex_and_Bodie_s_Mom]

Oh that makes me feel better! He is eating - I am slowly mixing in the KD with his regular food. And he’s acting so much better tonight. I can learn to do subQ’s if I need to.

[shiloh]

It’s totally easy. I was terrified the first time I had to do it but I learned and now I can do it like nothing.

Best book for learning how to is Anitra Frazer’s New Natural Cat. She has a whole. section on sub-q fluids. It involves a lot of affirmations but those are mostly for us humans. I can copy and snail mail to you if you like.

Going home now! Good night - hope Nigel continues to improve.

[ravenclaw]

Giving fluids isn’t a big deal. When the vet tech walked in the room at the clinic to show me, I was intimidated by the stuff (the fluid bag and other equipment). But once you learn, it’s easy and it definitely helps them feel better. I ordered the supplies from Chewy (easy and cheaper than buying from the vet). There are lots of videos on YouTube you can refer to.

When Dewey was diagnosed with kidney failure and I did research, it said that acute kidney issues can usually be reversed if treated. Hope you and Nigel have a good day tomorrow!

[beowulf]

Oh no, Nigel some big fat jingles here.

[Alex_and_Bodie_s_Mom]

Thanks! I have an appointment this afternoon to learn how to do it myself, and then I’ll probably watch the YouTube videos as well.

He’s still active and alert this morning, but not as good as he was last night. I think he’ll need subQ’s daily for a while. He didn’t eat much, but he did drink, and I got some water down him with a syringe just to be on the safe side, as I don’t know how much he drinks when I’m not there. Heading to the pet store this weekend for a water fountain to see if that makes a difference. He likes fresh, running water.

[Alex_and_Bodie_s_Mom]

That would be awesome, if you wouldn’t mind!

[BUSY]

Jingles for Nigel … tuna juice, clam juice any and all liquids help.

Ice cubes in cold water help my cats.

Two people for administering SubQ make it SO much easier - though you can accomplish it alone.

During your apt. to “learn” how … several times and WATCH where hands go … sequence in set up …

A method that worked best for us - fluid bag hung on clothes hanger and hanger hooked over a door edge. We place cat on bathroom counter area ; one holds cat from behind / other person administers the fluid . Two sets of eyes and hands helps. * We were administering twice a day a one point.

Good Luck !

[Alex_and_Bodie_s_Mom]

Well, it’s just me, so Nigel and I will have to figure out how to do it alone!

Your idea about the bathroom counter is a good one. I can shut the door and keep curious kitties out. I had an audience of three this morning for his syringe watering!

Question: is it possible to do subQs with just a large syringe, rather than the bag? It feels like it should be, but I don’t know.

[BUSY]

@Alex_and_Bodie_s_Mom

Well, it’s just me, so Nigel and I will have to figure out how to do it alone!

Your idea about the bathroom counter is a good one. I can shut the door and keep curious kitties out. I had an audience of three this morning for his syringe watering!

Question: is it possible to do subQs with just a large syringe, rather than the bag? It feels like it should be, but I don’t know.

No … best watch several ‘subq fluid administration to cats’ videos on youtube
Watch videos before you go to apt. I’m not sure you’re fully ‘processing’ this administration… it’s under the skin via needle attached to hosing / bag of fluids … hooked on door or above / gravity helps.

[BUSY]

You and Nigel will get this down to an ‘art’ but it will take some practice …
I recommend simulating the process, whichever method is best for your set-up, … location equipment ( just don’t insert needle) with a stuffed animal of loaf of bread something basically the shape of a cat.

You’ll get it … pack some extra patience due to your stressed heart … Jingles for Nigel.

He is a lucky boy to have you as his ‘mom’ !

[cardinale]

Tips for SubQ fluid administration:

1. Hang the bag as high as possible. The extra gravity effect really helps get the fluids in ASAP.
2. Consider a 21G needle. Most vets seem to dispense 18G but the smaller size hurts a lot less. The fluids do go in a lot faster with the 18G, but hanging the bag high counters some of that. The 21G I get come as winged infusion sets–they attach to the same place you’d just put a needle–and the wings help hold the needle in if kitty squirms.
3. I put my kidney kitty in a laundry basket while administering fluids. She can see out but feels partially enclosed, which helps contain her.
4. You can use an e.g. 60-ml syringe, and it does allow a faster rate with a 21G needle, but it’s kind of awkward to hold the syringe, push the plunger, and constrain the cat, all at the same time, if you are doing it by yourself. Also, if you have to give >60 ml (or ~70 if you fill it all the way), you’d have to use muultiple syringes, which is a big pain. Here’s a video where a vet uses a syringe, but she’s only giving 60 mls at a time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysGkPixJC1A
5. I spritz some spray Feliway Classic in the basket a few minutes ahead of time, which might help keep kitty calm.
6. Good lighting helps.
7. Cheapest sources I’ve found for my preferred supplies:
   21G needles (infusion sets)
   IV sets
   Lactated Ringers
   In my state, no prescription needed for any of these.

I give fluids at ~the same time every night, so kitty knows she has all day without getting poked. You get into a routine which helps. Can be awkward at first but it gets a lot easier with practice.

[ravenclaw]

I live by myself and I always did it myself with Dewey. He was very good. The vet tech told me that most cats tolerate it well. One of Dewey’s favorite spots was on the couch so that’s where I would do his fluids. He would just stay on the couch. I didn’t have to hold him or restrain him. I put the bag on a plastic clothes hanger and hung the bag on an overhead lamp that was next to the couch.

I’ve never heard of giving subQ fluids from a syringe but I guess you could. I would think the bag is easier. You just use the bag until the fluid runs out. You put on a new needle each time but other than that you use the same bag and drip line until the bag runs out. Dewey got 100 mL per day so a bag would last for 10 days. It usually took about 5 minutes to give him 100 mL of fluids. I think I used 20G needles.

[Brown_Derby]

It just takes practice and I find most cats like it and will settle in and purr. Remember that his coat is really a sort of loose bathrobe; you are not doing an IM. I used to hang mine on a curtain rod. Warm up the bag for a few moments by dipping it in some warm water.

Jingles to you and Nigel.

[Alex_and_Bodie_s_Mom]

So we went to the vet and I learned how to do the subQ’s. I’ve seen it before, it seems easy enough. We’ll also do B-12 shots weekly to combat his anemia.

He came home and immediately ate, then demanded fresh water (from the Brita pitcher). He’s actually been pretty active today - hanging out with the other cats, bright eyed. So we’ll see.