So I've got to inject about 60cc of saline into our 2.5 pound kitten

[Richardo]

She's gotten dehydrated, so yesterday the vet gave her the same amount of fluid subcutaneously, right at the scruff of the neck. (Fun fact: cats can absorb fluids through their skin.) When she was done, the kitty looked like some half-cat, half camel creature from the Island of Dr Moreau.

Then she gave me a gigantic pre-loaded syringe and told me to do the same thing to the kitten this morning. Here goes.... :scared:

How's YOUR day so far?

[Heidi]

1. Oh, Richardo.

I hope she's better soon. :( I don't think I'd ever have the confidence (or calm enough hands) to give The Wiley and Excellent Boy Cat Named Ginger an injection. Good vibes to you and kitty. :hug:

[Richardo]

3. Mission Accomplished

She looks like Kitty Quasimodo.

Thanks, Heidi - She's already much more active than she was yesterday, so the fluids and antibiotics seem to be helping.
...and by the way, your cats' names are the best I've ever heard :rofl: (Especially EBCN Ginger) :D

[Heidi]

7. Ginger is only one cat

who is both wiley and excellent. :) I'm glad your kitty is a bit more spry since the injection, Richardo. :hug:


The Wiley and Excellent Boy Cat Named Ginger, watching the kois


Pflotch and Trotsky, watching The Wiley and Excellent Boy Cat Named Ginger

[Richardo]

10. That's an even BETTER name, then.

:rofl:

Nice koi, too :thumbsup:

[More Than A Feeling]

9. Awww, my dear departed kitty girl was named Ginger too!

Thanks for reminding me of her (in a good way)!

[Heidi]

11. Ginger boy and I send you love, Heaven and Earth.

I'm sorry your girl has crossed the rainbow bridge (but now you have a kitty guardian angel!) :hug:

[Guava Jelly]

2. I had to give fluids to a sick cat for a while that way

It is uncomfortable to do. But it isn't that painful to the cat.

[Richardo]

6. The scruff of the neck is a miracle of evolution

There must be zero nerve endings there.

[mockmonkey]

4. I had to learn how to give injections

to my partner. I was nervous and practiced on an apple. I think injecting a kitten would make me more nervous but I noticed our cats are never bothered by the injections they get from the vet.

[Richardo]

5. It really is amazing how blase animals are about needles

Even the dogs, when they get blood drawn from the top of a paw, never even flinch.

[pokerfan]

8. Our human phobia about needles is mostly psychological

It really is just a little pinch. Still, that's a big load for such a small animal.

I give blood and it really doesn't hurt. It's a free BP screening and they feed me afterwards.

[underpants]

12. I just had an Egg McMuffin

:hi:

[Richardo]

13. So....you're saying my morning's better?

:shrug:

:hi:

[ThomCat]

14. It's too early to tell how my day is going.

Pain sucks, but I can't tell what's staying and what's going.

I hope your kitten takes the injection with good grace. :hug:

[JTG of the PRB]

15. Well, I have work today, and then it's off to Kitten Puncturing 101.

I'm just a beginner when it comes to puncturing kittens.

TEACH ME, OH WISE ONE!

[MonkeyFunk]

16. I used to have to do that for a cat of mine...

She was a real trouper, and would come when called and just sit there while I let a whole bag of saline drip into her. It's really not hard to do once you get over the fear.

[Richardo]

19. I never realized it was so common (based on the posts here)

Guess I've been a sheltered (and fortunate) kitty owner up 'til now. :hi:

[DS1]

17. I've seen that done to a labrador

a lot more than 60ccs too. Quite funny looking, if you ask me

[grace0418]

18. Injections are actually easier than giving pills.

I had two diabetic cats and they barely noticed. But pills... oy vey.

Hope kitty is feeling better soon. That lump thing is weird isn't it?