They Still Can't Get An I.v.!

[Guest Greensleeves]

Arrgggh! We dropped Nelly off this morning for what was *supposed* to be her second day of IV fluid therapy for her kidney disease--but since they couldn't get the catheter in yesterday, they sent her home with sub-cu fluids and said they'd try again this morning. We called about an hour ago, and they STILL can't get a catheter in!

 

So Dr. Linda is taking Nelly to the city's best IV specialist (?) to have her put a jugular catheter in. We have no idea if this will work any better, of course, but they assure me that "she is the best," and if anyone can do it, it will be her.

 

I'm so frustrated! It's been a week since Nelly had her bloodwork done, and in that time we still have not really managed to TREAT her for this condition! How is she going to get any better if they can't even start the treatments?! I know this isn't anybody's fault, and they really are trying, but sheesh! Can't this poor girl catch a break, already?

[ZoomDoggy]

I'm sorry. As a "difficult draw" myself, I can attest that sometimes the patient just has challenging veins. Too small, too "roll-y" etc. If she's a bit dehydrated, that can also add to the problem. I usually go through most of my limbs and several nurses before they get a proper stick on me. I hope Nelly gets the treatment she needs soon.

[Guest HoustonGreys]

Poor Nelly and poor you for having to see your girl go through this. Sending prayers that all will be resolved today and she can start her treatments and will be well soon.

[Batmom]

Might suggest that they give her a good blob of sub-q first thing, then try to get a vein when that's absorbed.

 

Sending hugs. Can imagine how frustrated you must feel.

[grey14me]

poor baby...I hope she gets fixed up soon :hope

[Guest Winterwish]

Sending good thoughts for Nelly. Hopefully the specialist will be able to get a line going.

[Guest Greensleeves]

Well, the jugular catheter is in (which is good). Less good is that instead of getting fluids during the day and coming home at night, Nelly's now back at the specialist for round-the-clock fluids for the next 48 hours at least. (whimper)

 

Our clinic only has the gravity-based IV systems (not the electronic ones that monitor flow rate drop-by-drop and are adjustable), plus there's nobody there constantly overnight to monitor her--so they'd have to cap off the jugular catheter overnight. Because Nelly's such a big dog, the catheter is also quite large--the end of it is "very near" the heart, which means if she accidentally dislodged the cap of the catheter (when not hooked up to the IV), she could "suck air into the catheter" and suffer an embolism.

 

But... if she stays at the specialist, she can get the IV constantly, instead of just during the day, so they won't have to cap off the catheter, and that risk disappears (whew). Still, this isn't what we wanted... and if it was what we wanted, I wish we'd have done it 5 days ago.

 

Ugh.

 

I'm just heartsick about leaving her there. I know the situations aren't analogous at all, but the last time we transferred a dog from our clinic to this specialty clinic... he never came home again. :weep

[Batmom]

Keeping Nelly in my prayers.

 

{{{{{{{{{{Stephanie}}}}}}}}}}

[carronstar]

Sending lots of prayers for Nelly and you.

[Greytlady94]

Stephanie, sending prayers that Nelly gets all the fluids she needs and the treatment also so she can come home to you and her siblings.

[Guest Greensleeves]

Well, we got to go see Nelly tonight, and they "unplugged" her so she could come out and visit with us! She howled and danced around and huggled and gobbled up some cookies, and cuddled some more, and then she was done. She could not have been more herself.

 

I'm still sad that she's there, but DH said, "There is no question that this was the right move," over bringing her home every night, etc.

 

So... keep your paws crossed that this works as well as it possibly can. I'll try and keep everyone updated.

[patricia]

I am so glad that you got to visit. Sending more prayers.