Mr. Silverman is being remarkably calm about the needles.
He was already getting insulin shots morning and evening to control his diabetes. Now I’ve got a set of much larger needles that I’m using to administer subcutaneous fluids once or twice a week. This involves hanging the bag of saline solution from my tripod, extending it up pretty high, with plastic tubing hanging down (needle at the end), and then getting Silverman to sit still for several minutes after I stick the needle into the skin on the back of his neck and let the fluids flow until there’s a visible bubble under his skin. He doesn’t seem to mind the needle part that much, but the sitting still is something else. After reading a tip online, I’ve started bribing him. A few kibbles at a time dropped into a dish, then a few strokes with a brush, then a few more kibbles, keeping an eye on the needle, the fluid level, and repeat.
It does seem to perk him up a bit, so we push on.
The rest of the cats are doing better, although they don’t enjoy being driven inside by all the wet weather. They would rather be out in the sun. Just like people, I suppose.
–>See all of today’s Friday Felines!
Poor kitty! At least he’s getting good care.