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#1
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Giving Cosmo fluids
I know how to do this. I've done this before, with a friend's cat,
for a week. But that wasn't *my* cat. And I had help then. Now I'm alone. So where to do this? The vet suggested a card table. Okay, I have one. And I have a doorway that already has hooks in it that I can hang the bag on. Sounds like we're set. But the table won't fit in the doorway. And the hook's pretty sharp, and I'm afraid it will tear the bag. Hmmm, there's a big chair, with a fuzzy bathrobe they like to lay on, and it's near the hooks. Let's just pull that over and try it that way. Here, Cosmo! Come get your treatment! Yeah. Right. I manage to get him on the chair, having hung up "the works". Now I have to remember how to put the needle in. After I look at it, it's obvious, but in the process, I drop one part of the plastic container the needle came in. Oh, well, I'll find it later. Putting the needle in is the scariest part. What if I hurt him? What if I accidentally puncture something? Arggggh! I know I can do this, I know I can do this. I get the needle in. And it comes right back out. Grrrrr. I get it in again, better this time. Cosmo is being amazingly good. Then I realize I don't remember *how to turn on the fluids*! Oops! I have one hand on Cosmo to keep him from moving, and I can't reach the phone book, even though I'm right next to the phone. Somehow, Cosmo stays still in the split second it takes me to go grab the phone book. I call the vet's office and Chad (who is an incredibly sweet, gentle assistant) tells me it's the little knobby thing that goes up and down. Ah, okay! I've actually had it on all right the entire time and just didn't know it. I'm practically underneath the bag, and can't really see it very well, so I have to guess when he's had enough. I'm also watching Cosmo, to see when *he's* had enough. He's getting edgy, and I think it's time, so I turn off the flow and take the needle out, which elicits a short cry from him. I almost cried, thinking I hurt my poor Cosmo. I take the bag down, and amazingly, I had managed to give him just the right amount. Got out the treats, and Cosmo (and the other cats -- can't leave them out!) had a field day with some treats. Then I go shake for several hours and play Bubbels. I am NOT looking forward to doing this again. Ginger-lyn |
#2
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On Thu, 17 Feb 2005 19:22:32 +0000, Ginger-lyn Summer wrote:
I know how to do this. I've done this before, with a friend's cat, for a week. But that wasn't *my* cat. And I had help then. Now I'm alone. So where to do this? The vet suggested a card table. Okay, I have one. And I have a doorway that already has hooks in it that I can hang the bag on. Sounds like we're set. But the table won't fit in the doorway. And the hook's pretty sharp, and I'm afraid it will tear the bag. Hmmm, there's a big chair, with a fuzzy bathrobe they like to lay on, and it's near the hooks. Let's just pull that over and try it that way. Here, Cosmo! Come get your treatment! Yeah. Right. I manage to get him on the chair, having hung up "the works". Now I have to remember how to put the needle in. After I look at it, it's obvious, but in the process, I drop one part of the plastic container the needle came in. Oh, well, I'll find it later. Putting the needle in is the scariest part. What if I hurt him? What if I accidentally puncture something? Arggggh! I know I can do this, I know I can do this. I get the needle in. And it comes right back out. Grrrrr. I get it in again, better this time. Cosmo is being amazingly good. Then I realize I don't remember *how to turn on the fluids*! Oops! I have one hand on Cosmo to keep him from moving, and I can't reach the phone book, even though I'm right next to the phone. Somehow, Cosmo stays still in the split second it takes me to go grab the phone book. I call the vet's office and Chad (who is an incredibly sweet, gentle assistant) tells me it's the little knobby thing that goes up and down. Ah, okay! I've actually had it on all right the entire time and just didn't know it. I'm practically underneath the bag, and can't really see it very well, so I have to guess when he's had enough. I'm also watching Cosmo, to see when *he's* had enough. He's getting edgy, and I think it's time, so I turn off the flow and take the needle out, which elicits a short cry from him. I almost cried, thinking I hurt my poor Cosmo. I take the bag down, and amazingly, I had managed to give him just the right amount. Got out the treats, and Cosmo (and the other cats -- can't leave them out!) had a field day with some treats. Then I go shake for several hours and play Bubbels. I am NOT looking forward to doing this again. Ginger-lyn Don't you just hate those "shakes"? MLB |
#3
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{{{{{hugs}}}}} to you Ginger-lyn.
I know that knowing that it helps him doesn't make it any easier. You did it perfectly though - good work - and we'll be thinking of you as you continue to give him his treatments. Susan M Otis and Chester "Ginger-lyn Summer" wrote in message ... I know how to do this. I've done this before, with a friend's cat, for a week. But that wasn't *my* cat. And I had help then. Now I'm alone. So where to do this? The vet suggested a card table. Okay, I have one. And I have a doorway that already has hooks in it that I can hang the bag on. Sounds like we're set. But the table won't fit in the doorway. And the hook's pretty sharp, and I'm afraid it will tear the bag. Hmmm, there's a big chair, with a fuzzy bathrobe they like to lay on, and it's near the hooks. Let's just pull that over and try it that way. Here, Cosmo! Come get your treatment! Yeah. Right. I manage to get him on the chair, having hung up "the works". Now I have to remember how to put the needle in. After I look at it, it's obvious, but in the process, I drop one part of the plastic container the needle came in. Oh, well, I'll find it later. Putting the needle in is the scariest part. What if I hurt him? What if I accidentally puncture something? Arggggh! I know I can do this, I know I can do this. I get the needle in. And it comes right back out. Grrrrr. I get it in again, better this time. Cosmo is being amazingly good. Then I realize I don't remember *how to turn on the fluids*! Oops! I have one hand on Cosmo to keep him from moving, and I can't reach the phone book, even though I'm right next to the phone. Somehow, Cosmo stays still in the split second it takes me to go grab the phone book. I call the vet's office and Chad (who is an incredibly sweet, gentle assistant) tells me it's the little knobby thing that goes up and down. Ah, okay! I've actually had it on all right the entire time and just didn't know it. I'm practically underneath the bag, and can't really see it very well, so I have to guess when he's had enough. I'm also watching Cosmo, to see when *he's* had enough. He's getting edgy, and I think it's time, so I turn off the flow and take the needle out, which elicits a short cry from him. I almost cried, thinking I hurt my poor Cosmo. I take the bag down, and amazingly, I had managed to give him just the right amount. Got out the treats, and Cosmo (and the other cats -- can't leave them out!) had a field day with some treats. Then I go shake for several hours and play Bubbels. I am NOT looking forward to doing this again. Ginger-lyn |
#4
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Ginger-lyn Summer wrote:
I know how to do this. I've done this before, with a friend's cat, for a week. But that wasn't *my* cat. And I had help then. Now I'm alone. So where to do this? The vet suggested a card table. Okay, I have one. And I have a doorway that already has hooks in it that I can hang the bag on. Sounds like we're set. But the table won't fit in the doorway. And the hook's pretty sharp, and I'm afraid it will tear the bag. Hmmm, there's a big chair, with a fuzzy bathrobe they like to lay on, and it's near the hooks. Let's just pull that over and try it that way. Here, Cosmo! Come get your treatment! Yeah. Right. I manage to get him on the chair, having hung up "the works". Now I have to remember how to put the needle in. After I look at it, it's obvious, but in the process, I drop one part of the plastic container the needle came in. Oh, well, I'll find it later. Putting the needle in is the scariest part. What if I hurt him? What if I accidentally puncture something? Arggggh! I know I can do this, I know I can do this. I get the needle in. And it comes right back out. Grrrrr. I get it in again, better this time. Cosmo is being amazingly good. Then I realize I don't remember *how to turn on the fluids*! Oops! I have one hand on Cosmo to keep him from moving, and I can't reach the phone book, even though I'm right next to the phone. Somehow, Cosmo stays still in the split second it takes me to go grab the phone book. I call the vet's office and Chad (who is an incredibly sweet, gentle assistant) tells me it's the little knobby thing that goes up and down. Ah, okay! I've actually had it on all right the entire time and just didn't know it. I'm practically underneath the bag, and can't really see it very well, so I have to guess when he's had enough. I'm also watching Cosmo, to see when *he's* had enough. He's getting edgy, and I think it's time, so I turn off the flow and take the needle out, which elicits a short cry from him. I almost cried, thinking I hurt my poor Cosmo. I take the bag down, and amazingly, I had managed to give him just the right amount. Got out the treats, and Cosmo (and the other cats -- can't leave them out!) had a field day with some treats. Then I go shake for several hours and play Bubbels. I am NOT looking forward to doing this again. Ginger-lyn Poor Ginger-lyn. BIG HUGS! I can sympathize. I was a nurse in another life and did things to people without batting an eyelash but boy come time to do something to one of my boys and my hands shake and I start to cry. It sounded like Cosmo actually came through it pretty well, though, so you must be doing a good job. We're thinking of you! -- Margaret Fine |
#5
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"Ginger-lyn Summer" wrote in message
... I know how to do this. I've done this before, with a friend's cat, for a week. But that wasn't *my* cat. And I had help then. Now I'm alone. So where to do this? The vet suggested a card table. Okay, I have one. And I have a doorway that already has hooks in it that I can hang the bag on. Sounds like we're set. But the table won't fit in the doorway. And the hook's pretty sharp, and I'm afraid it will tear the bag. Hmmm, there's a big chair, with a fuzzy bathrobe they like to lay on, and it's near the hooks. Let's just pull that over and try it that way. Here, Cosmo! Come get your treatment! Yeah. Right. I manage to get him on the chair, having hung up "the works". Now I have to remember how to put the needle in. After I look at it, it's obvious, but in the process, I drop one part of the plastic container the needle came in. Oh, well, I'll find it later. Putting the needle in is the scariest part. What if I hurt him? What if I accidentally puncture something? Arggggh! I know I can do this, I know I can do this. I get the needle in. And it comes right back out. Grrrrr. I get it in again, better this time. Cosmo is being amazingly good. Then I realize I don't remember *how to turn on the fluids*! Oops! I have one hand on Cosmo to keep him from moving, and I can't reach the phone book, even though I'm right next to the phone. Somehow, Cosmo stays still in the split second it takes me to go grab the phone book. I call the vet's office and Chad (who is an incredibly sweet, gentle assistant) tells me it's the little knobby thing that goes up and down. Ah, okay! I've actually had it on all right the entire time and just didn't know it. I'm practically underneath the bag, and can't really see it very well, so I have to guess when he's had enough. I'm also watching Cosmo, to see when *he's* had enough. He's getting edgy, and I think it's time, so I turn off the flow and take the needle out, which elicits a short cry from him. I almost cried, thinking I hurt my poor Cosmo. I take the bag down, and amazingly, I had managed to give him just the right amount. Got out the treats, and Cosmo (and the other cats -- can't leave them out!) had a field day with some treats. Then I go shake for several hours and play Bubbels. I am NOT looking forward to doing this again. Ginger-lyn You are so brave, Ginger-lyn. I would hope that I could do that if my baby needed it, but just the thought of having to stick on of them with a needle gives me the shakes! Hugs, CatNipped |
#6
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Traumatic as it was, it sounds like you did just fine.
Just don't make the error I did the first time I gave Harmony fluids. I forgot to shut the freaking valve off before withdrawing the needle, resulting in fluid spraying all over the kitchen before I could turn the darn thing off. Oops. When the vet was showing me how to administer the fluids, she told me "and then pet the cat for about ten minutes to make sure thatt the fluid gets distributed". So I told Harmony, "See? She's prescribing petting. Vets aren't all bad". (Harmony wasn't convinced. ;o) ) All the best to you and Cosmo. I'm sure that things will only get easier as you get more accustomed to doing it, especially once Cosmo makes the connection between getting fluids and feeling better. Donna, Captain, and Stanley |
#7
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Ginger-lyn Summer wrote:
I know how to do this. I've done this before, with a friend's cat, for a week. But that wasn't *my* cat. And I had help then. Now I'm alone. .... I am NOT looking forward to doing this again. Ginger-lyn Ginger-lyn, first, {{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}} I've been where you are, twice. Remember that you are doing this for a reason, to improve Cosmo's quality of life. And fluids really do help a lot! I know with Tigger they extended his life by a few months (he was VERY badly off when he was diagnosed with CRF), which let him live to experience spring. And with Twilight, they made his last year much more comfortable. As you and Cosmo work things out, you will gain confidence and he will relax (hopefully). Everything we do for our fur-kids is a balancing act - how much will they tolerate? Is it helping them enough to balance the discomfort? You'll know when you've pushed too far. But for right now, try to relax. Cosmo sounds like he took things very well. I was so scared when I first gave Twilight fluids. And while he was never happy about it, I could tell that he wasn't horribly unhappy. We worked things out, as I know you and Cosmo will. You are not alone in how you feel, having to "hurt" a fur-kid to help him feel better. It takes a great act of love to do this for Cosmo. Try to remember that. Spoil Cosmo for as long as you have him. May it be many years. {{{{{{{Hugs, again}}}}}}} Kalynnda, with Carol and the seven furries |
#8
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Oh, Ginger-lyn
Don't worry, you will soon - after a few times - be expert at this. Truly. None of us are good at anything the first time. Purrs for your nerves, and absolutely positive vibes that I know you can do this. Be brave and just do it. (fine one to talk, me..) Tweed "Ginger-lyn Summer" wrote in message ... I know how to do this. I've done this before, with a friend's cat, for a week. But that wasn't *my* cat. And I had help then. Now I'm alone. So where to do this? The vet suggested a card table. Okay, I have one. And I have a doorway that already has hooks in it that I can hang the bag on. Sounds like we're set. But the table won't fit in the doorway. And the hook's pretty sharp, and I'm afraid it will tear the bag. Hmmm, there's a big chair, with a fuzzy bathrobe they like to lay on, and it's near the hooks. Let's just pull that over and try it that way. Here, Cosmo! Come get your treatment! Yeah. Right. I manage to get him on the chair, having hung up "the works". Now I have to remember how to put the needle in. After I look at it, it's obvious, but in the process, I drop one part of the plastic container the needle came in. Oh, well, I'll find it later. Putting the needle in is the scariest part. What if I hurt him? What if I accidentally puncture something? Arggggh! I know I can do this, I know I can do this. I get the needle in. And it comes right back out. Grrrrr. I get it in again, better this time. Cosmo is being amazingly good. Then I realize I don't remember *how to turn on the fluids*! Oops! I have one hand on Cosmo to keep him from moving, and I can't reach the phone book, even though I'm right next to the phone. Somehow, Cosmo stays still in the split second it takes me to go grab the phone book. I call the vet's office and Chad (who is an incredibly sweet, gentle assistant) tells me it's the little knobby thing that goes up and down. Ah, okay! I've actually had it on all right the entire time and just didn't know it. I'm practically underneath the bag, and can't really see it very well, so I have to guess when he's had enough. I'm also watching Cosmo, to see when *he's* had enough. He's getting edgy, and I think it's time, so I turn off the flow and take the needle out, which elicits a short cry from him. I almost cried, thinking I hurt my poor Cosmo. I take the bag down, and amazingly, I had managed to give him just the right amount. Got out the treats, and Cosmo (and the other cats -- can't leave them out!) had a field day with some treats. Then I go shake for several hours and play Bubbels. I am NOT looking forward to doing this again. Ginger-lyn |
#10
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Ginger-lyn Summer wrote:
I know how to do this. I've done this before, with a friend's cat, for a week. But that wasn't *my* cat. And I had help then. Now I'm alone. (scary but good-ending info snipped) I am NOT looking forward to doing this again. Ginger-lyn Purrs for your hand and nerves to be steady and for Cosmo to continue accepting the fluids without a fight and recover quickly. Jill |
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