random bits

[cellio]

I wonder how subcutaneous fluids are processed. If my cat isn't eating/drinking enough I can give him fluids, which don't enter through the mouth, but they exit the normal way -- which means somewhere inside the cat they enter the GI tract. My vet probably already thinks I'm weird, so I may as well ask her. :-) (What actually prompted this is the observation that, it appears, a dose of fluids can stimulate his appetite, almost as if the fluids were clearing out some blockage or something -- but how could they? And anyway, there shouldn't be any blockages; he had a blocked bile duct a few months ago and they both cleared it out and installed a much-larger bypass.)

We have an invitation for seder for the first night, from a fellow congregant. This is good; Dani knows the family, so he won't be among strangers, and they like to sing, and they're the sort of people who don't race through the haggadah to get to the meal. So everyone's happy -- yay! Second night is odd: as a Reform Jew I don't see the need for two-day yomim tovim, and Dani is secular, but he's used to two nights from his family (necessity of parental divorce) and I don't mind, so I may yet try to find us something. (I said "well, there's always Chabad" and he said "let me know how that goes for you", so I guess not that since the point would be to do something for him.) He's still opposed to just holding one ourselves.

My rabbi will be leading a trip to Israel at the end of this year. I'm thinking seriously of going. I'd like to see some of the place, and I'd love to do it with my rabbi -- so there'll be, y'know, some religious content, as opposed to just being a tourist. I'll have enough vacation time to do it, since most of the fall holidays have the decency to land on weekends this year, and a bonus I'll be getting at work removes any doubt about being able to afford it. It sounds like this will be a family-friendly but not family-obsessed trip; i.e., I won't feel like e fifth wheel. So I don't see a down-side here, and I think it would be an exciting experience.

Short takes:

This comic reminded me of some cats I've known...

Hold my beer, a look at washroom multitasking (not safe for work), from brokengoose.

Comments

[zachkessin.livejournal.com]

Well if you come plan on trying to meet up with all of us. We have 2 events around of the end of the year, (Shire Birthday and 8th night), so there is a decnet chance you could hit one or the other (or just join us for say crafts night)

[paquerette.livejournal.com]

Hm. Things to ponder in the wee hours of the morning. :)

You give the cat a dose of fluids and he urinates? That doesn't involve the GI tract. ;) Or are you saying that you give him a dose of fluids and his bowels start working? Raising his hydration level in his bloodstream could allow for the lower colon to draw more fluid from the bloodstream to do it's business. It could also give the upper digestive tract more fluid to work with in making various digestive juices, which might improve his appetite. Making the difference between normal body fluids and body fluids concentrate, sort of.

Unless cats are significantly different than humans, that is. Then I don't know.

[goljerp]

(un)fortunately, I've never had this issue personally. I know that the Conservative Shul I go to has a couple of "matching" programs for Seders: they'll coordinate between people who have space, and people who need space, and on their form have a way to indicate level of passover kashrut. Also, there's a community second Seder.

I just realized that this year will be the first year that I've spent Pesach in the U.S. and didn't go to the seders with my parents.

[jhayman.livejournal.com]

A dehydrated cat is one thing, a cat with a little renal failure is another, and that's the usual reason for giving fluids.

The s.c. fluid is absorbed slowly and in the interstitial, then intravascular spaces, expanding blood volume among other things. The dilute plasma is easier for the failure kidney to process. The cat excretes the metabolites that have been building up and causing, among other things, loss of appetite an thirst. Hey, presto! The cat eats.

Failing kidneys mean toxins increase in the blood and the cat loses its appetitite (and urge to drink). Giving fluid means the cat can pee out the toxins and gets its appetite bad.

This may miss a few bits along the way, but that's essentially it. FWIW, the cat will also tend to be drowsy with renal failure -- until you give it fluids.