In m,
(Mira) wrote:
| On 1 Aug 2003 16:29:04 -0500, "Karen Chuplis"
| wrote:

| From everything people have written here, their cats do not fine
| fluids traumatic.
|
| I imagine you are speaking of subcutaneous fluids as opposed to
| intravenous? In any case, this depends on the cat.

Yes, but in general cats can get accustomed to subQ fluids at home. The
basic idea is to desensitize them to the procedure, often by ritualizing
it, i.e. making it part of a larger procedure that the cat may find more
acceptable.

| My 18-year-old growled and shrieked when the vet put the IV in and when
| they took it out.

Not surprising. This was at the vet's, a stressful situation. And it
was IV, which is more painful than subQ.

That said, it took me well over a month to find a comfortable routine
with my cat. Being at home was inherently much less stressful for him,
but even so, he wasn't amenable to the procedure as long as he felt
uneasy. It was a combination of many little things.

Where? On the kitchen counter? In the bathroom sink? I even tried
putting him on a cafeteria tray place on a sink. Some people advise
blocking off avenues of escape such as making the cat face a corner, but
my fella wouldn't go for that.

Warming the fluids can help - it's a better sensation under the skin.

Then, I found out that the potassium chloride supplement that the vet
had pre-injected into the fluid bag actually stings under the skin. So
I insisted on switching to oral supplements.

It's also important to be calm about the whole thing - cats are very
good at picking up on our tension and unease. I've found that talking
gently to the cat helps - as if you're trying to convince him what a
good idea this is. It makes you focus on the purpose and the benefit.

The fluids are now part of a bonding session. Just him and me, in the
bathroom, with the door closed. I hug him in my lap and he hugs my arm
back as I stroke and pet him gently. When he's thoroughly relaxed, a
quick jab. I keep one hand on his head, my fingers lightly around his
neck. Lifting my hand is the signal that we're done: he waits patiently
for that. Immediately afterwards is meal time: he knows this, so he
doesn't struggle when I pick him to take him into the bathroom.

Keep it low-key, surround the momentary discomfort of the pricking with
all sorts of good sensations, ensure a reward like food or treats at the
end, and few cats will continuue to be disagreeable. They love ritual.