Sick Sharpei - need help

So we have a 5 year old male. Has CKD and is declining. Have done 3 sets of labs and have copies of his blood work and the results were sent to Dr. Tintle for review. She has responded and recommends daily fluids approx 400 ml Ringers subcue.

Now the issue. Dog is the sweetest dog in the world until it’s time for any type of treatment. Then he is an extremely aggressive to the point of someone can get injuries.

We got the needle in but he has shook it out twice and had to give up for it now.

Need suggestions on;

a) getting the needle in without losing any fingers or my arm in the process; and

b) keeping the needle in once I get it there.

Anytime we go to the vets we need to muzzle and sedate. We can muzzle but sedating him everyday is obviously out of the question.

in sharpeiby smalltownflair

100%

2mo

theamydoll

2mo

Oh, I’m so sorry you’re going through this. One suggestion is to keep the needles in the freezer and pull one out when you’re about to use it. It’s supposed to be less painful when going in. It’s what I do every time I have to give sub-q fluids to one of mine. Maybe that’ll bother your Pei a little less and he wont be a squirmy wormy. The other suggestion is to get 12” bully sticks or an extra large yak cheese chew and have one person hold the chew stick while the other administers fluids. He could be so focused on his prize to not care or mind about the fluids. Sorry I don’t have anything else to suggest. Good luck with this.

smalltownflair

2mo

Tried the bully sticks right off the bat. Yeah. He focus about 2 seconds until I cupped the skin to insert the needle the first time. Worked once. But he shook the needle out immediately and after the first poke couldn’t get near him to try again with a fresh needle. But thank you for your input.

theamydoll

2mo

Are you holding the needle the whole time the fluids are going in? I never let go. Once it’s in, I sit there and hold it in place and pet my dog while for the duration of the 300-500cc’s.

smalltownflair

2mo

As I said in the post. Holding him under those circumstances is not a good idea if interested in keeping your fingers. Not exaggerating when I say he becomes aggressive when being treated for anything.

smalltownflair

2mo

smalltownflair

2mo

Ursium

2mo

For what it's worth, Dr Tintle is the best in the world in my book. I'm from the UK and contracted her all the way in the US to help with my first Sharpei. You're in good hands.

This-Presentation134

2mo

You can also try a mild sedative until you can acclimate him to the treatment. The other alternative is to bring him to the local vet and have them administer the fluids

smalltownflair

2mo

I am thinking I may have to do that. At least try it. Anytime we take him to the vets and it’s been often they have had to muzzle and give him a strong sedative to treat him. Afterwards he is not the same dog for at least 24 hrs. Takes a lot out of him.

I came into the picture with my partner late in the game and was able to build a great trusting relationship with him. He took to me immediately and we are bests buds. But hate to break that trust by resorting to forcing this treatment on him.

It’s a necessary treatment and it has to happen but we are running out of options and time on how to proceed. Hence why I am reaching out for any ideas that others may think of.

This-Presentation134

2mo

I would try Benadryl rather than a prescription sedative,when he’s calm as it may be enough to allow you to administer his fluids. If he’s already hyped up or anxious or sees the meds before the Benadryl is administered it probably will not work. Just an idea. Good luck

BlackWidow7d

2mo

If you can’t get fluids that way, try coconut milk. Just plain, nothing added, coconut milk.

smalltownflair

2mo

Will give that a try

Resident-Welcome3901

2mo

In extreme situations, I a have used a small bore needle 25 or 27 subcutaneous , and a fifty cc syringe to administer a smaller bolus quickly and less painfully, with the penalty of doing it more often.

smalltownflair

2mo

I think we may have a solution. We are looking at a cattle sling.

[Image]

Obviously a custom made one. will hold him still so he can’t run.

Made in a way that he can’t reach back and bite

Would control him in a comfortable full body manner that will allow the needle to be inserted safely.

with his feet off the floor he can’t shake the needle loose.

Would only need to be suspended for the time it takes for the infusion.

Difficulty comes the second time we need to do this because he can’t easily be tricked twice.

Any thoughts?

Wilsonismybunny

2mo

Love it