Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Stabbing Josie

I seem to poke my cats with sharp objects a great deal. Both Tucker and Neville receive two injections of insulin a day, and, once a month or so, I jab needles into their ears to make them bleed, so I can obtain samples of their blood to read their glucose levels. Now, I have added a new kind of stabbing.

Some of you may recall that my old lady, Josie, had not been feeling well. In fact, she seems improved. I watch her and see that she still halts in mid-motion periodically, but I have determined that this is not confusion, as I first believed but, as some readers of this blog pointed out, probably discomfort, due to aged joints and muscles. I think this came on when I stopped giving Josie joint-medicine. However, that medicine was causing another sort of discomfort for her, and so, weighing the one disadvantage against the other, decided to stop giving her the medicine.

Now, though, the Great White is receiving fluids. They are delivered subcutaneously by syringe and – harkening back to the opening sentence of this entry – needle. Remembering the ordeal that giving fluids was with Cammie, I was reluctant to give them now to Josie. Indeed, the first time I attempted it, this past Saturday, she struggled and cried. It was telling that her protests came not when I inserted the needle but as the fluids were being injected.

A friend, greatly experienced in cat-care, reminded me that she warms the fluid prior to giving it to a cat. I had neglected to do this with Josie, though the fluid was actually room-temperature. Tonight, I warmed it in the micro-wave oven. Considering that appliance’s age, it may have been quicker to rub two sticks together, but it was done; I tested the warmth on my skin, then brought Josie to the operating table (ie. the dining table.) This time, though she protested, her complaints were not vehement, and sixty milliliters were rather swiftly put under her skin.

The needle went in so easily, and there was so little evidence that Josie had received the fluids, that I wondered if I had put them in right. But sixty milliliters of liquid would had to have gone somewhere, and nothing was damp; I think the operation simply went smoothly. The plan is to give her an equal amount twice a week, though this will likely increase, possibly soon.

In addition to this attention, my Chubs is being given a laxative to facilitate her solid waste management; I had noticed that her droppings were small and rather too hard. Fortunately, the laxative dissolves very well in a few ounces of water.

So further medicine – of a very simple nature – and more proddings have been inserted into the cats’ schedules. I expect more to come, too, as their years advance. But I don’t mind. If untroubled rest and a tranquil old age is the result, I won’t mind busying my own schedule a bit.


14 comments:

  1. Dr John you are doing a great job if looking after your crew.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Poor Josie. Aging is so tough on human and kitty. It's great John, that you were able manage the medications they get your caps through the day. Manage the medications they get your cats through the day. Hopefully all will go well and you can get her back on a more normal physical schedule, litter box and all. Best of luck Josie, we keep an eye out for you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Aw, sweet Josie. I hope that with your efforts she enjoys life for many more years to come. ❤️

    ReplyDelete
  4. It reminds me of what happened here when we still had Robin, the tiny 6 1/2 # Tortie. As she aged, she developed KD. As time passed she needed fluids administered. I however, was on a many houred rotating shift with overtime many times. I asked the trusted Vet's office, who knew me and my situation well if a tech, given a key to the house could come and give her the fluids while I was either working or asleep, when on my midnight shifts. Of course I paid for that. That went on for a while until it was deemed not necessary for awhile...etc. Our furred ones are family and treasure.

    ReplyDelete
  5. You handled Josie very well, John. I've had cats on fluids and initially, there is some complaining on the cat's part about the procedure, but eventually, both the cat and I get used to it and giving fluids is no problem.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm glad to hear that's going well. I often wonder what cats think when we give them shots or pills. "Boy, these humans have a weird idea of fun!"

    ReplyDelete
  7. Administering to your cat crew with such love...they know you are caring for them!

    ReplyDelete
  8. They do appreciate the love and care though. We have my fluid bag hanging were the sun gently warms it, but I only get them weekly.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I knock wood and toss salt; that I've never had to give fluids yet; and I'm told that the cat truly doesn't "feel" the needle ?

    { though I've yet to hear the fluid recipients thoughts, as relayed to the attending physician who in turn told me }

    I have been told that the "larger" the needle, the quicker the
    administration of the fluids; purrhaps this will "help" ??? until Josie grows accustomed

    as always, St Francis' blessings ♥♥♥



    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think they feel the needle but little; once it's through the skin, there is nothing to feel. What puts them off, in many cases, I believe, is the weird feeling of the fluid collecting under their skin; the strange pressure and weight must feel like an invasion. But there is no pain from it.

      The needle needs to be pretty slender. They will feel the bigger ones. I find that the injection of fluids thereafter is less a matter of speed than of consistency. I talk to Josie and try to keep her calm, all the while steadily pressing the syringe's plunger.

      Delete
  10. Josie is fortunate to have you as her doctor John. You take such good care of your cats.

    Take care and stay well.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am glad giving the fluids went so smoothly. We can be so unsure of ourselves at times that when something goes better than expected, we think something must have gone wrong!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Aww...sweet girl. Will send some Healing Pawkisses your way and hope you feel better soon🐾😽💞

    ReplyDelete
  13. If she will accept the little stick then adding the fluid is simple. I had a bag to drip in and never thought of getting a big syringe which would have been much easier. The drip gets stopped if the needle moves the wrong way. Hope the fluids help Her Highness

    ReplyDelete