Hi,
An update on Shannon. This arthritis is kicking our butt! Also, we are dealing with CRF. I have a question about fluids. I have been using Sodium Chloride 0.9% and am switching to Lactated Ringers. Does anyone have any information which might be better for Shannon's situation? Does the sodium irritate the arthritis? Does anyone prefer one fluid over the other? Is there any difference at all? I guess this may be a dumb question but I'd appreciate any information. By the way, Shannon's potassium is normal. Thanks.
Arthritis
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Tina B and crew
- Posts: 2536
- Joined: Fri Apr 25, 2003 9:48 am
- Location: Virginia
Re: Arthritis
Don't have any answers to your questions, but wanted to say I'm sorry to hear that the arthritis is causing Shannon so much discomfort and you now have CRF to deal with....wishing Shannon pain free days....it's hard watching our furbabies deal with these things
Tina B and "what a crew!"
How we behave towards cats here below determines our status in heaven ~Robert A. Heinlein
How we behave towards cats here below determines our status in heaven ~Robert A. Heinlein
Re: Arthritis
Thanks. It is so difficult to watch Shannon dealing with this after all she's been through. I welcome any suggestions from owners of arthritic kitties.
Re: Arthritis
LRS contains calcium and should be avoided in hypercalcemic patients (high calcium levels). In absence of hypercalcemia, LRS can be a good maintenance fluid.
0.9% NaCl usually is the first choice in correcting dehydration (like replacement fluids), but it's based on the cat's serum sodium or potassium levels (LRS contains less potassium); if the cat has high concentrations of serum potassium, 0.9% NaCl can be used.
Does your vet feel Shannon is severely dehydrated, does she want to replace fluid losses or does she want to maintain fluid and electrolyte balances? Are you monitoring her drinking habits as well as her urine output? Has she had a urinalysis lately, particularly paying attention to her specific gravity?
Either way, it's important to monitor her electrolytes, and bloodwork, as well as blood pressure when on any fluid replacement or maintenance.
As for the arthritis, check this post for ideas, included is a link to additional options you can talk to your vet about, but would have to be careful with some of them and determining safety with CRF.
http://www.cathelp-online.com/forums/vi ... hp?t=11809
0.9% NaCl usually is the first choice in correcting dehydration (like replacement fluids), but it's based on the cat's serum sodium or potassium levels (LRS contains less potassium); if the cat has high concentrations of serum potassium, 0.9% NaCl can be used.
Does your vet feel Shannon is severely dehydrated, does she want to replace fluid losses or does she want to maintain fluid and electrolyte balances? Are you monitoring her drinking habits as well as her urine output? Has she had a urinalysis lately, particularly paying attention to her specific gravity?
Either way, it's important to monitor her electrolytes, and bloodwork, as well as blood pressure when on any fluid replacement or maintenance.
As for the arthritis, check this post for ideas, included is a link to additional options you can talk to your vet about, but would have to be careful with some of them and determining safety with CRF.
http://www.cathelp-online.com/forums/vi ... hp?t=11809
..........Traci