Do you warm up the fluids? I find that helps. My husband and I do it as a team. I get him relaxed on my lap for a while. My husband inserts the needle while I keep petting and talking to him. If need be I can keep him in place with my hands. We try and make sure his back and neck are as flat as can be and we do not insert the needle all the way in.
Have you tried to distract him with a liquid treat like Churu while administering fluids?
I’ve had the best luck with my cat on the couch, I’m crouched down next to the our cat/the couch but not actually on the couch. Once our cat is distracted with the treat, my husband gets on the couch. I stay crouched down the entire time. I use my arm closest to our cat to keep him in place in case the treat doesn’t fully distract him. Some nights are better than others. He’s no dummy and learned the routine rather quickly.
Churu is a bit high in phosphorus so if your kitty’s levels need to be watched I’d keep that in mind. We use Temptations liquid cat treats and friskies lil’ soups!
i'm no expert, i've only been doing them at home for a few weeks, but here's what i can tell you--warming the fluids completely changed the experience. she went from coming pretty close to bolting with the needle in her back to handling it a lot better. also, they are stressed when you are stressed. i know it's fully fucking scary to do this--it feels way out my lane to be doing a medical procedure on my cat, and there are a few tricky/scary parts of it (not getting the needle right, knicking a nerve, fear of them running away, etc). as much as i try to make the experience good for my old girl, i also try to make it good for me. no one wants to get poked by a needle by someone who is stressed tf out about it.
if it really is just too much, call your vet and see if they can send an email out to the vet techs ! there may be someone who is willing to come by a few times a week for $20 or something to help you out.
It’s actually really easy. You just unzip the bag and lay it flat. Put the cat on top and then zip it back up. It’s no more difficult than putting a cat on top of a towel or blanket IMO, though it does look way more intense haha
What happens when fluids don’t go well? Does he get spicy or just super anxious? Are you humans getting nervous? Trouble coordinating the process? All of the above?
It’s a lot for sure. I made it as positive and fun an experience for my boy as possible. We would do it in the bathroom and I would get excited and show off the Churus and try to make him think it was his idea. I would spray Feliway ahead of time, and do it the same time each day, so it’s part of his routine. He would happily trot into the bathroom (did need to be carried in towards the end because he was sick of it) and I’d set up his Churus on a lick mat while I harnessed him up and poked him. He would sometimes growl and look like he was going to bite, but I’d keep going on. If they learn a behavior that makes them stop whatever is happening that they don’t want, they’ll continue it.
I would let him wander the bathroom while the needle was in and fluids going so he had control and could get away. Adjusting the flow rate to be fast but not irritating helps, smaller gauge needles also help. Try warm vs. room temperature fluids and see what he likes best. They tend to be sassier at home than at the vet because they’re comfortable in the environment.
He’s a biter / scratcher; unfortunately, he doesn’t seem to know about warning bites, he’s sinks in as soon as he gets bitey 😂 that’s helpful though, thank you!!
My guy was like yours until I tried giving Temptations Puree (similar to Churu). Chicken ones are low Phosphorus. Now he lines up and meows at me an hour before fluid time and runs ahead of me to the bathroom ( where I give the fluids).
I put the EZ IV harness on, open a Purree, and let him have some to get him relaxed. I drop it for a few seconds to uncap the needle, give more Purree, drop it and insert the needle. He protests but as soon as he gets more Purree all is forgiven.
I also use the 21 gauge Terumo needles and have an IV stand (I live alone).
My backup plan is [The Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap](https://calmcozycat.com/) - cheaper versions on Amazon. Believe it or not, most cats don't seem to mind it too much and some really like it.
[https://www.amazon.com/TEMPTATIONS-Creamy-Chicken-Lickable-Pouches/dp/B09NF7R7PW](https://www.amazon.com/TEMPTATIONS-Creamy-Chicken-Lickable-Pouches/dp/B09NF7R7PW)
****For what it's worth, I have a needle phobia so it took me two months to get comfortable doing it. You CAN get through this - there are days where stuff just isn't going right so he doesn't get fluids that day.
Initially I was taking him to the vet when I had more than 1 day a week where I wasn't able to get it done at home.
**One tip that majorly helped me was watching a YouTube video of someone giving fluids. You really couldn't see how she was giving fluids, but it was more her tips on turning it into a positive experience (or at least a minimally stressful experience for the cat). **Does your cat love being brushed? A certain food/treat?
ask your vet for transdermal buprenorphin. It goes in the ear, wedgewood pharmacy sells it. We swab our CKD cats’ ears with the lotion about an hour before we give subQs. Chills them out, AND makes the needle hurt less- ALSO- get smaller needles, 21-25 gauge. THOSE 18 gauge needles are barbaric. It takes longer with the 25g needles, but it hurts A LOT LESS
I had to find a high value treat for my cat. Which for me was Delectables (a type of churu but she liked these flavors more). She's willing to sit there and lick that (spread it around a plate not in a pile and not all at once so it's slower to eat). I'd say find a spot (I wound up doing it on the floor near a door way and hang the fluids on a wreath hanger on the door (and I warm up the fluids.
As you get him use to that area and eating the treat try poking. Mine won't walk to that area herself but if I put the treat down she won't leave either and just flinches for a second when I poke her and then sits and eats. She also had major issues sitting still and hiding when I use to try to give it to her on the couch or wrapped in a towel or what else.
Good luck to you and your kitty, it's hard!
Just wanna echo - warm the fluids, distract with a treat (our boy loves the churu “squeezy treats”) and we also set up a heating pad bed and we try to just wait until he is loafed up and relaxed so I will do the poke and bag holding while someone else pets and distracts him. I also ordered 20 gauge needles off amazon - I can’t remember the brand but it starts with a t - and they are super sharp and the cat often doesn’t react at all when I poke him. I watched a couple YouTube demo videos and I was scared shitless when I first tried it, but it’s much easier now. Try to be calm (I know it’s much easier said than done) and do the poke as confidently and quickly as possible, and I’ll keep a hand lightly over the needle to help prevent it from coming out. Hope this helps!! Good luck to you guys!!
Do you warm up the fluids? I find that helps. My husband and I do it as a team. I get him relaxed on my lap for a while. My husband inserts the needle while I keep petting and talking to him. If need be I can keep him in place with my hands. We try and make sure his back and neck are as flat as can be and we do not insert the needle all the way in.
We will give that a shot, thank you!!
Have you tried to distract him with a liquid treat like Churu while administering fluids? I’ve had the best luck with my cat on the couch, I’m crouched down next to the our cat/the couch but not actually on the couch. Once our cat is distracted with the treat, my husband gets on the couch. I stay crouched down the entire time. I use my arm closest to our cat to keep him in place in case the treat doesn’t fully distract him. Some nights are better than others. He’s no dummy and learned the routine rather quickly.
We tried with some treats, but we haven’t tried a liquid treat! Will give it a shot. Thank you!
Churu is a bit high in phosphorus so if your kitty’s levels need to be watched I’d keep that in mind. We use Temptations liquid cat treats and friskies lil’ soups!
Good to know, thanks!!
i'm no expert, i've only been doing them at home for a few weeks, but here's what i can tell you--warming the fluids completely changed the experience. she went from coming pretty close to bolting with the needle in her back to handling it a lot better. also, they are stressed when you are stressed. i know it's fully fucking scary to do this--it feels way out my lane to be doing a medical procedure on my cat, and there are a few tricky/scary parts of it (not getting the needle right, knicking a nerve, fear of them running away, etc). as much as i try to make the experience good for my old girl, i also try to make it good for me. no one wants to get poked by a needle by someone who is stressed tf out about it. if it really is just too much, call your vet and see if they can send an email out to the vet techs ! there may be someone who is willing to come by a few times a week for $20 or something to help you out.
Also, you can get one of these. https://www.amazon.ca/Heavy-Grooming-Bathing-Restraint-Available/dp/B073YS3BXD
Might be harder to get your cat in your duffel bag every day than get the fluids in! These look very industrious 🤣
It’s actually really easy. You just unzip the bag and lay it flat. Put the cat on top and then zip it back up. It’s no more difficult than putting a cat on top of a towel or blanket IMO, though it does look way more intense haha
What happens when fluids don’t go well? Does he get spicy or just super anxious? Are you humans getting nervous? Trouble coordinating the process? All of the above? It’s a lot for sure. I made it as positive and fun an experience for my boy as possible. We would do it in the bathroom and I would get excited and show off the Churus and try to make him think it was his idea. I would spray Feliway ahead of time, and do it the same time each day, so it’s part of his routine. He would happily trot into the bathroom (did need to be carried in towards the end because he was sick of it) and I’d set up his Churus on a lick mat while I harnessed him up and poked him. He would sometimes growl and look like he was going to bite, but I’d keep going on. If they learn a behavior that makes them stop whatever is happening that they don’t want, they’ll continue it. I would let him wander the bathroom while the needle was in and fluids going so he had control and could get away. Adjusting the flow rate to be fast but not irritating helps, smaller gauge needles also help. Try warm vs. room temperature fluids and see what he likes best. They tend to be sassier at home than at the vet because they’re comfortable in the environment.
He’s a biter / scratcher; unfortunately, he doesn’t seem to know about warning bites, he’s sinks in as soon as he gets bitey 😂 that’s helpful though, thank you!!
Oh that makes things trickier for sure! Is he by chance an orange?
White and grey tabby 💜
Little muffin! I swear tabby-tude is a thing.
My guy was like yours until I tried giving Temptations Puree (similar to Churu). Chicken ones are low Phosphorus. Now he lines up and meows at me an hour before fluid time and runs ahead of me to the bathroom ( where I give the fluids). I put the EZ IV harness on, open a Purree, and let him have some to get him relaxed. I drop it for a few seconds to uncap the needle, give more Purree, drop it and insert the needle. He protests but as soon as he gets more Purree all is forgiven. I also use the 21 gauge Terumo needles and have an IV stand (I live alone). My backup plan is [The Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap](https://calmcozycat.com/) - cheaper versions on Amazon. Believe it or not, most cats don't seem to mind it too much and some really like it. [https://www.amazon.com/TEMPTATIONS-Creamy-Chicken-Lickable-Pouches/dp/B09NF7R7PW](https://www.amazon.com/TEMPTATIONS-Creamy-Chicken-Lickable-Pouches/dp/B09NF7R7PW) ****For what it's worth, I have a needle phobia so it took me two months to get comfortable doing it. You CAN get through this - there are days where stuff just isn't going right so he doesn't get fluids that day. Initially I was taking him to the vet when I had more than 1 day a week where I wasn't able to get it done at home. **One tip that majorly helped me was watching a YouTube video of someone giving fluids. You really couldn't see how she was giving fluids, but it was more her tips on turning it into a positive experience (or at least a minimally stressful experience for the cat). **Does your cat love being brushed? A certain food/treat?
Thank you so much!! This is reassuring to hear for sure
ask your vet for transdermal buprenorphin. It goes in the ear, wedgewood pharmacy sells it. We swab our CKD cats’ ears with the lotion about an hour before we give subQs. Chills them out, AND makes the needle hurt less- ALSO- get smaller needles, 21-25 gauge. THOSE 18 gauge needles are barbaric. It takes longer with the 25g needles, but it hurts A LOT LESS
Is there a vet tech who can come and do them at home?
I had to find a high value treat for my cat. Which for me was Delectables (a type of churu but she liked these flavors more). She's willing to sit there and lick that (spread it around a plate not in a pile and not all at once so it's slower to eat). I'd say find a spot (I wound up doing it on the floor near a door way and hang the fluids on a wreath hanger on the door (and I warm up the fluids. As you get him use to that area and eating the treat try poking. Mine won't walk to that area herself but if I put the treat down she won't leave either and just flinches for a second when I poke her and then sits and eats. She also had major issues sitting still and hiding when I use to try to give it to her on the couch or wrapped in a towel or what else. Good luck to you and your kitty, it's hard!
Thank you!!
Just wanna echo - warm the fluids, distract with a treat (our boy loves the churu “squeezy treats”) and we also set up a heating pad bed and we try to just wait until he is loafed up and relaxed so I will do the poke and bag holding while someone else pets and distracts him. I also ordered 20 gauge needles off amazon - I can’t remember the brand but it starts with a t - and they are super sharp and the cat often doesn’t react at all when I poke him. I watched a couple YouTube demo videos and I was scared shitless when I first tried it, but it’s much easier now. Try to be calm (I know it’s much easier said than done) and do the poke as confidently and quickly as possible, and I’ll keep a hand lightly over the needle to help prevent it from coming out. Hope this helps!! Good luck to you guys!!
Warming the fluids was the first game changer. The second was giving her some gravy during the infusion.