RE: SAMe (Denosyl) for Dukee

Sun, 29 Oct 2006 11:25:01 -0800

Terrie, you can do this.  It's not hard, just time-consuming and putzy.  You can give meds through the tube if you can pulverize and dissolve them in water, or at least make a suspension that stays separated long enough to get it down the tube.  You can supplement fluids as well that way -- you end up doing that anyway a little, because after feeding you have to flush the tube. 
 
Here's a hint:  the tube is pretty small, so we really had to liquefy and dilute what we gave Luc.  The A/D liquefies fairly well but not for very long -- you have to keep restirring or you end up with a bunch of edible but untubeable sludge at the bottom of the cup.  So patience really is a virtue here!  Just keep stirring.  We sometimes mixed the A/D with Cat Milk, which you can get at the pet store in little juice-box type containers.  It's a *little* pricey but you don't need a lot. 
 
Also, we had to test the stuff we gave him for tubeability.  The vet gave us a length of the same size tube to test it on, and we had to pour what we mixed through the tube into another container to make sure it would all make it through. 

We started by syringing the stuff into the tube, but that got a little messy if he'd turn his head quickly or something.  So we found a small funnel whose spout fit into the end of the tube, and eventually started pouring our pre-tested mixture right from the measuring cup we mixed it in, filling about half the funnel and waiting for it to go down, then pouring a little more, and that went faster.  Every so often the funnel would back up, meaning something was a little stuck, but we gently tapped the tube (trying not to move it around too much, for Luc's comfort) and it would generally clear.  Every so often we'd have to syringe some warm water, for the stubborn backups. 
 
We did have to have another stitch put in, a couple weeks into the intubation, because we'd moved the tube too much and it had come loose from where the vet had stitched it to him.  Oh, and there will be a little plug that you keep in the tube when you're not feeding him.  The one the vet gave us was worthless and would fly out when he shook his head (we still haven't located it in the corner of the room) so we ended up cutting the eraser and a little of the wood part off a pencil.  I painted the lead end so there wouldn't be any lead exposed, and of course you keep everything clean.  When the tube is unplugged, there is a gurgling sound  which is weird but normal.  You can use this to check whether the tube is clear, as well, when you're done with a feeding session. 
 
Dukee is lucky to have a mommy and daddy who care so very much.
 
Diane R.
 
 -----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Sunday, October 29, 2006 12:33 PM
To: Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Subject: SAMe (Denosyl) for Dukee
I have a question:
How do I give Dukee SAMe (Denosyl) when he comes home when he is on a feeding tube? I noticed it came in tablet form on my research.
One thing I did noticed on him when I popped the cans of wet food for the cats he still came in and took a few licks of the food but not enough.
He has always done this.
So when I feed the others when he gets home he will hear this. So how do I refrain him from eating their food if he is on a special diet?
Will he be able to eat their food on top of his food?
I also feed my cats snacks? Dukee knows it!
 
Sorry for stupid questions but gotta ask!
Boy, I know I'm going to have questions for you guys on this tube feeding.
I don't want to be overwhelmed when the Vet hits me with this I want some firsthand knowledge from you guys. So it's preparing myself and my family. I certainly don't want them doing anything to jeopardize his health even though it wouldn't be intentional.
I have never done it before! Yikes!
 
 

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