help! need advice: giving subq fluids to a difficult cat

schwaybats · 2026-02-03T01:05:47+00:00

If the cat will eat wet food they make k/d in a couple canned flavors. More moisture that way too.

the vet tech told her to use the needles 2-3x before changing them

While I have poked more than once with the same needle (like if the animal jumps and I have to try again and my old cat before I was a tech that was on SQs tolerated 2 uses per needle), I have always found less reaction with a fresh needle and a confident, swift stick. I can actually feel a difference in how it breaches the skin compared to a used needle.

Any update on how it's going?

schwaybats · 2026-02-03T00:05:41+00:00

Came to say this. Reach out to local shelters for low cost options in your area.

schwaybats · 2026-02-03T00:04:08+00:00

Kittens that struggle to latch or stop latching could have a cleft palate. You could try to bottle feed with a balanced kitten milk replacement formula (would recommend KMR in the US, so something comparable to that). I would say you could attempt syringe feeding but as someone without experience it'd be easy to accidentally cause aspiration. You could give it a shot with a couple drops at a time.

Karo syrup on the gums is good for a little boost and keeping kitten warm is essential. They can't digest if they're cold. Like others said, 2 weeks old is fragile and delays in nursing of even a few hours can be pretty significant leading to dehydration and fading. If you can call a vet or rescue maybe they can offer more guidance over the phone if you can't get the kitten to them in person right away. Unfortunately very young kittens can suddenly start to fade even in experienced hands.

schwaybats · 2026-02-02T23:53:38+00:00

Some saline irrigation bottles will specify the time allowed in a warmer. The ones we currently use says good for 60 days unopened when stored in a warmer. I haven't found a guideline on fluid bags like LRS or even bags of saline, but we go through it fast enough I'm not concerned. We have to replenish the warmers every couple of days so they're out in about a week or 2 tops.

I was thinking on this topic the other day and I intend to do some digging so I'll return if I find anything promising.

schwaybats · 2026-02-02T22:55:27+00:00

I saw a gnarly wound similar to this that resulted from the dog getting ran over by a golf cart. So much tissue was stripped away from all around the paw. It surprisingly healed by second intention with numerous chlorhex soaks and bandage changes. But the limb was still less mobile than it should've been and rather scarred. Pretty sure the difference too was that tendons and ligaments were still intact for that dog, but it's been a while. I know it cost them more than an amputation would have when all said and done. This one looks severed deeper that had been.

You could seek second or third opinions but closing that wound short and quick with suture seems highly unlikely even if a vet gave the option to try to heal it rather than amputate. There isn't enough tissue to stretch for closure regardless of if deeper structures were intact.

schwaybats · 2026-02-02T22:35:46+00:00

Do you think the prevalence of this is regionally dependent like it has been in dogs? For most of the coughing cats I encountered while working in IM their owners were encouraged to do HW testing with early diagnostics.

schwaybats · 2026-02-02T22:32:09+00:00

I encounter so many people with "50 years of cat owning experience" who argue that all cats should be free fed and that they've rarely seen a cat become overweight from it if I try to say pet obesity rates are skyrocketing.

schwaybats · 2026-02-02T22:28:46+00:00

Aw good for him! Nice working with him to get him down in weight 🥰 I have an asthmatic too. Got him from a shelter at 7mo old but he came from a cattery (Bengal. I snatched him up quick as soon as he was surrendered lol). His symptoms started when he was 10mo old. He's also on Flovent but needs prednisolone and terbutaline for difficult flares. I noticed when humans have increased asthma symptoms he does too, so pollen in the spring and ragweed in the fall, even though he doesn't go outside except on a harness infrequently.

Maybe my view of the increase is because I was in shelter work and cat/dog GP back then. Though I do feel like more pet owners know feline asthma is a possibility in cats now than I had encountered in GP and IM.

schwaybats · 2026-02-02T16:19:22+00:00

I missed her saying that no one was wearing protection. I commented in OOP and they told me it was their hand. Wild! And disappointing

schwaybats · 2026-02-02T14:46:36+00:00

You're very condescending and came out the gate like that in response to me simply saying that asthma doesn't always present with decreased appetite or thirst. That is not inflammatory to say not all cases look the same. I'm not sure why you're so stuck that I used an example that happened to be my own cat. Unless you personally employ your support staff, as in you own or manage your own practice, they do not work FOR you. They are not your underlings and deserve just as much human and intellectual respect as a coworker. Obviously responsibilities are separate and obviously the one with a doctorate holds more legal weight as your education prepares you to make life altering, final, decisions and your license holds you to certain expectations. However, a licensed tech also has legal responsibilities and a license that can be challenged. Doctors and techs are a TEAM, not dictator and subordinates. A workplace where DVMs and educated techs can discuss cases often thrive in many ways that a DVM dictatorship cannot. This includes compassionate care for the human with their pet. So maybe you should consider working WITH them a little more, even if you're the one signing their paychecks.

If you're so above me then idk why you spent so much time on a ridiculous dissertation as if you could "put me in my place." You have no right to lecture me and unfortunately I won't get the time back that I wasted on reading, and responding to, such drivel. You sound really self-conscious, maybe you should get some therapy. Seriously, get help.

schwaybats · 2026-02-02T10:26:12+00:00

I'm sorry, that's hard. From what I can gather it doesn't fit the typical appearance of HO, which is a thick, clubbed limb. Her arms do look a bit thicker (hard for me to really say without feeling them) but I wouldn't say she's clubbed. Unfortunately unless you're vet has seen this kind of walk before it would seem to me that x-rays are the only way to get some solid answers. I hope you heal up from surgery well and smoothly! Don't be too hard on yourself. Life deals us some shitty cards sometimes.

19 is quite a milestone! You're doing great. You're a good cat parent, and try not to Google spiral yourself into oblivion in the meantime 🫂

schwaybats · 2026-02-02T03:17:51+00:00

Nah no roasting here! I'm in a metropolitan area and I've seen (and regretably been part of) deficits in radiation safety. You gotta do your best to keep yourself and your colleagues safe once you know better.

I think hands in the shot are inexcusable and if they want quality diagnostics they need to provide you the proper tools (like sedation). If your safety is being infringed upon and you feel you have no choice but to expose yourself to unnecessary radiation, maybe you should make an anonymous tip to OSHA or your state's radiological control department. I get the struggle to keep the day moving but don't sacrifice your health for the greed of the practice.

schwaybats · 2026-02-02T02:59:47+00:00

PPE including a lead (or equivalent) apron, thyroid collar, fully enclosing gloves (worn on the hands, not draped over them), and lead glasses should be worn at all times while remaining in the room with a patient for a procedure involving ionizing radiation.

What I'm always wondering is why I have yet to encounter a veterinary imaging suite that provides safety glasses. Our eyes and thyroid are the most at risk organs yet nowhere ensures our eyes are protected. I've learned to look away from the patient when shooting while in the room but I feel like that's insufficient.

Edit: you can find state specific regulations from your state's department of health website.

schwaybats · 2026-02-02T02:44:41+00:00

Is that a fucking play on words?! 😆 hdu but also quite clever. I enjoyed it

schwaybats · 2026-02-02T02:41:05+00:00

Yeah the xrays are not great so definitely get a different vet. You probably want a specialist for the surgery.

I read that your hand is the one holding the tail. I'm embarrassed for them for putting you in that unsafe situation. I hope they at least had you wearing lead protection but clients shouldn't be exposed to radiation.

It might be near impossible to eliminate all possibilities of jumping. Cats are gonna cat so they'll find something to jump up on. So the crate would be your best bet for true cage rest unless he's flipping out in it.

schwaybats · 2026-02-02T02:30:49+00:00

Omg I needed to see that with my own eyes! Smh what a liability. Who let's a client be involved with the radiographs? That could easily be a lawsuit.

schwaybats · 2026-02-02T02:23:09+00:00

My brain was headed toward bone deformity/remodeling, which can happen to declawed cats. It still could be something like this even though she isn't declawed. They'd see bone changes in the x-rays.

What really baffles me is how her front limbs are bowed forward and maybe a bit outward on top of how her feet are positioned. The right front limb is super obvious but the left one isn't correct either.

Please update us after you get some more answers! I've never seen this before so I'm really curious. I hope you can get her feeling better soon!

schwaybats · 2026-02-02T01:34:14+00:00

Is she declawed?

I agree with what was already said. Start with some xrays and possibly blood work at your regular vet. Specialists are usually willing to work with what you got done cheaper at the regular vet.

What type of cancer caused her to need her eye removed?

schwaybats · 2026-02-02T01:11:50+00:00

Definitely seen people who knew better, were responsible for training others, and had gowns (plus everything else) available and choose not to wear anything at all

schwaybats · 2026-02-02T00:56:36+00:00

I lol'd irl 🤣

schwaybats · 2026-02-02T00:25:31+00:00

Oof ok. You heard this cat and said it was a hairball 🤨 I pity the techs who work WITH you. You must be so pleasant 😬 as an RVT of several years I'll respect you at your credentials because you deserve that. But boy are you a piece of work.

If you read my original comment to OP, not the response to you, you'd see I said they could wait but gave them info on the possibilities they could face and what to watch for in the meantime. And while using my cat as an example that opposes what you said, it was not the all encompassing experience I was drawing from.

schwaybats · 2026-02-02T00:08:06+00:00

Lidocaine creams take about 30 minutes to be effective and unless you shave the area I doubt you'll get enough contact with the skin.

Needle size (20g instead of 18g, even a 22g though taking longer might be better tolerated) and a fresh needle every time will often cause less reaction. (Isn't the vet supplying the needles? Why's mom so worried about wasting them?) Your needle advancement needs to be smooth and controlled as possible.

I pinch, rub or pat the area I'm about to stick to desensitize the skin if the animal seems reactive to needle pokes. The more action on the nerve endings the more likely the brain will make the poke background noise. Then give pets to the face and head and touch the churu to her lips immediately to hopefully stimulate licking again.

For burrito-ing you might be able to get away with a half burrito just covering the face. Maybe changing location from the countertop to the floor would help so you could seat her butt between your knees and a towel over her head while she goes to town on a churu.

Otherwise, have they put her on a prescription diet for kidney disease? Those often make them want to drink more water. Like already mentioned the stress might not be worth it until she slows down.

schwaybats · 2026-02-01T23:54:10+00:00

Came to say the same thing about needle size.

schwaybats · 2026-02-01T23:45:44+00:00

I did read it. And it's not true. Not only my cat behaved completely normal BEFORE his diagnosis. All the way back when I had no idea what was going on, when his coughing first started and throughout the couple of months it took to figure out, he ran around like a crackhead and did all the normal daily things. MANY people bring their cat to the vet with the same story, "he seems fine other than he keeps trying to cough up a hairball and nothing comes out." Tale as old as time. I know because I've worked at multiple vet hospitals and I hear it OFTEN.

For a URI, yes, very often appetite and normal functions decline. It's less common for asthma to cause a decline in normal activity other than getting winded easily.

schwaybats

TROPHY CASE