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Older Cat Question -- Sub-Q Injections?

VRBeauty

VRBeauty

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Apr 2, 2006
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My wonderful 19-year old kitty Squeaky is, unfortunately, in the slowing down/ wasting away stage of his life. He has some moderate kidney disease -- he drinks a lot and seems to get rid of it pretty quickly. During last week''s visit to the vet they also detected a heart murmur that apparently wasn''t there before. The vet did a thorough blood panel and urine test last week. Fortunately Squeaky doesn''t have any acute urinary tract issues or infections.

The vet suggested subcutaneous injections, once or twice a week, to help keep him hydrated. She said they would could make him more comfortable, but she also mentioned that there is a risk of damaging the heart. The shots could be administered at the clinic, but Squeaky is such an easy-going cat that I''d probably administer them at home.

Squeaky is one of the dearest things in my life and I definitely want to him to be as healthy and comfortable as possible in his old age. If anyone out there has any experience with this procedure, I''d appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks.
 
Bump!
 
I don''t really have much advice... as long as you aren''t prolonging any suffering, maybe give the shots a go?
 
Sub Q injections are SUPER easy to administer. They can show you how to do it at the vet''s and you''ll be able to do it no problem. And they''re not too stressful on the cat either, unless kitty really hates to be messed with. I''d give it a go.
 
yes, do it. my lahonda girl has had subq for quite some time and now harley gets it too. its easy. it does make them more comfortable. it hydrades them ..... and cats are infamous for not drinking enough fluid. have a kitty treat or two on hand or a special favorite food and your aging kitty will just see it as another affectionate ritual.

mz
 
No experience. . .just wanted to wish you and your kitty luck.
 
VRBeauty, sorry to hear that Squeaky is at that stage in his life...don''t you wish he could remain young forever?

I don''t know much about the injections, but have heard that they''re easy to administer. I think you should try doing them yourself - it would probably put more stress on him to have to go to the vet every day.

Let us know what you decide to do and keep us updated on Squeaky.
 
Subq fluids or injections?

In either case it is very easy to do, and you can have one of the techs show you how to do it. Personally I would do it, so my fur baby would be more comfortable at home rather than stressed out going to the Vet to get these administered.
 
Date: 2/7/2010 1:29:21 AM
Author: Resonance.Of.Life

Subq fluids or injections?
Click to expand...

Sub-q fluids.

Thanks for the input everybody. I think ''ll give it a try.
 
It''s easy to administer.. I would do it at home. Versus stressing him out by taking him to a clinic for a routine procedure such as this and it will save a bit of money on the office visit fee and then whatever fee they charge for administering fluids (the hospital I used to work for charged $40).
 
Hey VR,

I''m sorry to hear that Squeaky isn''t doing well.

DH and I administered sub-q fluids to my little Mazi for over two years after she was diagnosed with kidney issues. Mazi was an ornery old lady but she still tolerated the fluids, so I imagine you could give them to Squeaky on your own at home.

The fluids *really* helped Mazi feel better. We gave them to her three times a week by the end, and I really believe they prolonged her life. We kept at it as long as she was comfortable (as far as we could tell) and she had a good quality of life.

Good luck. I hope Squeaky feels better soon.
 
Thanks Haven and Movie Zombie: That's what needed to hear -- that this I'd be helping Squeaky feel better. The possibility that it might let me have him with him longer is a bonus! And thanks all for the encouragement. I guess this procedure isn't as drastic as it sounds!
 
VRB, i''m so glad you''re going to go forward with this! it really does enhance their life. and it is not difficult at all, especially once you get past the idea that you''re putting a needle into your kitty. they''ll show you at the vet''s office how to do it. i pinch the skin a bit below the shoulder blades to create a skin/fat fold which makes it go in easier. lahonda has skin of butter....but harley has skin of alligator hide. just don''t poke the needle down into muscle. push/glide it horizontal basically under the skin. usually kitty will have a water pouch right afterwards and sometimes it slides down into the leg.....makes them look lopsided. nothing to worry about as the body will soon absorb all that liquid. the kidneys will appreciate it and the heart as well. it will definitely make kitty more comfortable with the problems of aging. and it will give you just that much more opportunity to cuddle!

mz

ps kitty treats do enhance kitty''s tolerance of her/his human handler''s first attempts........
 
Well, Squeaky and I got trained tonight. The vet told me that because of Squeaky''s heart murmur, she''s decided that he should get sub-q''ed every other day, rather than twice a week.
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But the trial went well, even though I felt terrible about sticking a needle in my poor cat! And the good news is, he doesn''t seem to have any negative reaction to the hydration. They said it will take 6-8 hours for the fluids to be absorbed, and I suppose it could take a few treatments to make a real difference. I just hope the treatment will help... and I hope I''ll be able to tell whether it''s making Squeaky feel better!

Thanks again for the support!
 
Oh, you''re very lucky to have an easygoing cat. You can definitely do them yourself at home - takes a little practice, and the first couple of times I was terrified of poking in the wrong place, but you get the hang of lifting the skin properly.



I hope they help Squeaky!
 
congrats to you and Squeaky! we do it every other day also.....you''ll be every experienced very soon.

mz
 
Squeaky is very lucky to have such a good mom!

While I have no experience giving fluids sub-q, my cat is diabetic and requires insulin injections twice daily. She''s always been a cranky cat (which I actually love about her
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), but it''s still super easy to give her the shots. Our vet showed us how the first time around, and actually had us practice in front of her so we''d feel comfortable doing it on our own.
 
Such a good momma. ((HUGS)) for Squeaky. I''m glad he handled the first shot well and hope it improves his condition soon!
 
I just want to say thanks to everyone who offered advice and encouragement when I was weighing the sub-Q option.

I said goodbye to Squeaky a week ago today. It wasn''t easy, but it was time. The fluids definitely helped Squeaky live more comfortably for the last few months of his life, and I really appreciate your support for that.

I have one other cat, Maya, a twice-rescued kitty that I originally got in the hope that she would be a friend to Squeaky (who was a VERY social cat) after the loss of his surrogate mom. Maya had other plans, though, most of which involved being an only cat. Maya is about 13 years old. If she follows the trends set by my other cats, I''ll have many years to spoil her, and she''ll have many years as the ruler of the roost and my affections. (Little does she know that our first little adventure together will involve a weight-loss plan for her!)
 
i''m glad the subq''s helped....and i''m so sorry for your loss. and i''m so happy you have another fur baby already in your nest to pamper.....despite her pending weight loss program.

mz


ps if your weight loss program works, please share. our Brita is Overweight....
 
So sorry for your loss. Always hard to say good bye to our furry babies but sounds like he had a long happy life thanks to you.
 
Oh, I''m so sorry to hear about Squeaky. But it sounds like you two had a long and wonderful life together... and that''s the best we can hope for with our beloved pets.

Thanks for letting us know.

{hugs}
 
MZ, tyty, Lynn -- thank you. I didn't post until I was past the numb stage. We did have a wonderful life together, and I'm grateful that Squeaky is no longer limited by the infirmities of old age.

Deep breath.

I am blessed with many good memories. Such as... changing the sheets yesterday brought back one of his favorite "games". When I stripped the bed he'd jump on the bare mattress and wait to be covered with the mattress pad. I'd tease the lump under the mattress pad a bit until he wiggled out, and we'd repeat that sequence as each new layer was added. It sure took the "chore" out of changing the sheets!



Thank you again!
 
Hi VR Beauty,

I am so sorry for your loss VR
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My heart goes out to you and I know your darling kitty had a wonderful and long life because of all the love and tender care you gave. I know how your heart must hurt now but always remember what an amazing life your beautiful kitty enjoyed because of you.
Big hugs.
 
VRBeauty, I am so sorry for your loss. I''m very glad to hear that the sub-q''s made it possible for you to have a few extra months with your kitty.
 
Oh VR I''m so, so sorry
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It sounds like Squeaky had a wonderful life with you, and he knew he was loved - that''s really the most we can do for our beloved furbabies, though it doesn''t hurt any less to lose them. You''ll always have cherished memories - of changing the sheets, certainly
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, and eventually you''ll smile without wanting to cry.. And lucky Maya will be a very cuddled, hopefully skinnier kitty!


Big ::HUG::!!
 
Date: 6/15/2010 11:26:10 PM
Author: VRBeauty

...I am blessed with many good memories. Such as... changing the sheets yesterday brought back one of his favorite 'games'. When I stripped the bed he'd jump on the bare mattress and wait to be covered with the mattress pad. I'd tease the lump under the mattress pad a bit until he wiggled out, and we'd repeat that sequence as each new layer was added. It sure took the 'chore' out of changing the sheets!
Click to expand...

Oh... This post made me misty-eyed. We play that game here, too... and I can't imagine the day when my boys won't be here to *help me* change the sheets, and make me laugh in the process.

*LOTS more hugs*
Lynn
 
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