My house is a critter hospital.

[Critters2]

The beagle has a urinary tract infection, and one cat has an upper respiratory infection. The beagle is easier to give pills to.

[Madrone]

1. I'm all too familiar with the infirm animal theme.

Dog = ruptured knee.

Cat #1 = kidney failure

Cat #2 = diabetes and hyper thyroid

They keep me busy. And broke. ;)

[Critters2]

2. Sorry to hear.

I've had cats in the past with both crf and hyperthyroidism. In fact, Leo has flutd, but it's well-managed with diet. Do you have to do fluids for your crf cat? I did that for 2 1/2 years.

Have never had a diabetic pet...yet. And yes, I understand the "broke" part. I used to joke that my crf cat could've gotten a good education, or a good car, with what I invested in him.

Hugs to your critters...

[Madrone]

8. Yep, I do fluids.

I have the ringer hanging on a nail over the couch in the living room. I forget to take it down if anyone comes over ... I'm sure there are some people wondering WTF I am up to..... :rofl:

Between that and the needles laying all over the house ... I'm surprised I've yet to be raided! :D

[Critters2]

9. I actually bought an IV pole at a garage sale,

and had it next to the recliner in my living room. My mom said it was creepy! LOL I used to put the used needles in a 2-liter pop bottle to take to the vet for disposal. They'd got completely full, which would've been an interesting sight if some visitor happened upon it.

[Madrone]

10. Haha That is creepy!

Add to the interesting-ness of the ringer/needle situation - I ALSO had a recovering meth addict living with me, and she was on probation. AND her POs would come here from time to time unannounced for house checks. :rofl:

The got over the used needles (I never use one just ONCE, so I set them down - usually wherever the cat is when I give him his shot) surprisingly quick. :D

[Critters2]

15. I never did reuse needles. The vet said I could,

but there was something about that seemed unsanitary to me.

I also never had a meth addict living with me. Churches are funny about such things :)

[flvegan]

16. Nor should you.

Bad idea to reuse needles.

[Madrone]

19. Well, normally I'd agree....

But since it's just a little pop under the skin with no blood involved, it hasn't been a problem. A little bleach/water solution mix, and they are good to go for another round. Veterinarian approved, of course.

I think it would be different like say ... on my dog. Skin's different.

I don't reuse the IV needles - they're too big and they're already difficult to push in - I'm sure they'd be exceptionally difficult as they dulled. THOSE I definitely don't feel right about reusing.

[Critters2]

20. So, it's the hypodermic needles for diabetic shots?

The only needles I had were the 20-gauges for the sub-qs.

[Madrone]

21. Yeah ... those are the ones laying around the house.

I have insulin in the fridge, and the whole deal is pretty much identical to human shots. I give him 2 shots per day. In the tummy! He's completely nonplussed by the entire routine.

Those big sub-q needles remind me of what they use for body piercing - like something designed to remove a plug of flesh. :scared: I don't think I'll ever get entirely comfortable with, as I call it, watering the cat. It doesn't help that the kitty that gets it is barely more than fur and bones. :(

[Critters2]

23. The vet suggested I use 18-gauges,

because the fluids would flow faster. Have you ever seen an 18-gauge?!! It's like a log!! Couldn't imagine trying to stick such a thing in my poor cat!! So, I stuck with the 20-gauges. Luckily, I had a patient cat.

[Madrone]

24. I just had to look to see what I have.... I DO have the 18s!

I have a couple of 20s too - I think because I complained about how much I *HATE* sticking him w/ the freaking "flesh plug removal" needle so they gave me a couple to try.

Yeah, they are giiiiiiiiiinormous. I don't think the 20s were much better either ... they're both awful.

[Critters2]

25. My vet said the fluids wouldn't go through anything smaller than a 20.

And yes, the 18s are giiiiiiiiiinormous. The poor cat only weighed about 8 pounds. Those needles were bigger than he was!!

[GOPisEvil]

5. Poor Bodhi.

:(

As for the cats, they are teh sukc, so I don't feel as bad about those losers. :P

[Madrone]

11. Whatchoo got against Othello?

????


Peppermint ice cream and marshmallow flavored topping, beeyotch.

It's what's for dinner! :)

[GOPisEvil]

12. Well, his tendency to make you work at his dinner, which he ignores.

Othello is a good kitty, although he LOVES sleeping ON me, which gets annoying. :D

I like your dinner better than mine. Pizza rolls, some wickles and a little vanilla yogurt.

[Madrone]

13. Ah, yes! Point taken.

I forgot about that, since I'm on a "dinner denial" roll for him AND fatass. No nighttime special dinners for either of them for a few days. :evilgrin:

[GOPisEvil]

14. I'd watch out for fatass.

He's big enough to pin you down and eat you raw if he gets desperate. }(

[xchrom]

3. for The Dog and The Cat --

Dear God, you have given us care over all living things; protect and bless the animals who give us companionship and delight, make us their true friends and worthy companions. Amen.



Dear God, protect and bless all beings that breathe, keep all evil from them, and let them sleep in peace. Amen.
--Albert Schweitzer, "Memoirs of Childhood and Youth"


Healing and transforming God, your love knows no boundaries, and in your sight every life is precious; look with compassion on The Dog and The Cat, and make us your agents of healing in a broken world. Amen.


God of the universe, be present with this your creature. Bless The Dog and The Cat and mycritters2 who cares for them, now and always. Amen.


May God, who heals the sick, defends the vulnerable, cares for the poor, and liberates all creation from suffering and injustice, bring us all to that peaceable kingdom when all creatures shall live in harmony and all suffering shall be transformed into joy. Amen.

[Critters2]

4. Thank you very much!!

Much appreciated! I'm going to save these for use in my animal blessing services. I have another Schweitzer prayer, but this one is good, too.

Again, thanks!!

[flvegan]

6. Oh, friggin tell me about it. Current veterinary roll call:

2 puppies are post parvo treatment. Waiting their 8 week b-day so they can be adopted;

1 pitbull on ceph for self-induced wounds to the rear feet;

1 pitbull on ceph for a skin infection;

1 dog getting ready to have a growth removed;

I feel your pain, I really do.

[Critters2]

7. Wow!! Just wow!

This'll teach me to stop whining!

My best to your dogs!!

[bigwillq]

17. Do you have any pics of the beagle?

I love beagles! :)


Hope the pets feel better. :hug:

[Critters2]

18. Here ya go!

[bigwillq]

26. The cutest!

:hi:

[LibertyLover]

22. How to give a cat a pill

NB - This is humor and I got it from a friend of mine.

Sit on sofa. Pick up cat and cradle it in the crook of your elbow as though you were going to give a bottle to a baby. Talk softly to it.


With right hand, position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat's mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. (be patient) As cat opens mouth pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow. Drop pill into mouth. Let go of cat, noticing the direction it runs.


Pick the pill up off the floor and go get the cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process. Sit on floor in kitchen, wrap arm around cat as before, drop pill in mouth. Let go of cat, noticing the direction it runs.


Retrieve cat from bedroom, and throw soggy pill away. Scoot across floor to pick up pill, and go find the cat. Bring it back into the kitchen. Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm holding rear paws tightly with left hand. Force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of ten. Drop pill into mouth.


Pry claws from back legs out of your arm. Go get the cat, pick up half-dissolved pill from floor and drop it into garbage can.


Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of closet. Call spouse from backyard. Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, hold front and rear paws. Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and rub cat's throat vigorously.


Retrieve cat from curtain rod, get another pill from foil wrap. Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered Doulton figures from hearth and set to one side for gluing later.


Get spouse to lie on cat with head just visible from below armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force mouth open with pencil and blow down drinking straw.


Check label to make sure pill not harmful to humans, drink glass of water to take taste away. Apply Band-Aid to spouse's forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap.


Retrieve cat from neighbor's shed. Get another pill. Place cat in cupboard and close door onto neck to leave head showing. Force mouth open with dessert spoon. Flick pill down throat with rubber band.


Fetch screwdriver from garage and put door back on hinges. Apply cold compress to cheek and check records for date of last tetanus shot. Throw T-shirt away and fetch new one from bedroom.


Call fire department to retrieve cat from tree across the road. Apologize to neighbor who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat. Take another pill from foil wrap.


Tie cat's front paws to rear paws with garden twine and bind tightly to leg of dining table, find heavy duty pruning gloves from shed, force cat's mouth open with small spanner. Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of fillet steak. Hold head vertically and pour one cup of water down throat to wash pill down.


Get spouse to drive you to the emergency room, sit quietly while doctor stitches fingers and forearm and removes pill remnants from right eye. Call at furniture shop on way home to order new table.


Get last pill from bottle. Go into bathroom and get a fluffy towel. Stay in the bathroom with the cat, and close the door.

Sit on bathroom floor, wrap towel around kitty, leaving only his head exposed. Cradle kitty in the crook of your arm, and pick up pill off of counter.


Retrieve cat from top of shower door (you didn't know that cats can jump 5 feet straight up in the air, did you?), and wrap towel around it a little tighter, making sure its paws can't come out this time. With fingers at either side of its jaw, pry it open and pop pill into mouth. Quickly close mouth (his, not yours).


Sit on floor with cat in your lap, stroking it under the chin and talking gently to it for at least a half hour, while the pill dissolves.


Unwrap towel, open bathroom door. Wash off scratches in warm soapy water, comb your hair, and go find something to occupy your time for 7-1/2 hours.


Arrange for SPCA to get cat and call local pet shop to see if they have any hamsters.

[applegrove]

27. Cats are not so nice when you give them medicine or otherwise try

to help them out (try giving a kitten a bath sometime).