Thoroughly Poetic Thankful Thimble Thursday: The Whole Package

Hello and happy Thursday, friends! We have the whole package going on today, in more ways than one. First of all, since we're nearing the birthday of none other than Dr. Seuss, I wanted to make sure I participated in Angel Sammy's Thoroughly Poetic Thursday challenge.

As always, our poetic host shared a photo prompt to get us inspired. This week's prompt is this slightly frightening one here:

My poem is admittedly a short one this time around, but here it is nonetheless, followed by a little illustration to go along with it.

You won't find me rafting on those white waves.

No you will not, nope, there is positively no way.

Though there is one thing you'll find me doing today,

And that is dashing through the snow on a no-horse sleigh.

Actually, no, that's not the truth, nay.

I think I'll just watch someone else zip down a hill with a distant "Hooray!"

***

Now, of course, Thimble is ready for Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Today, Thimble is grateful that she herself can enjoy the whole package. What does that mean? Well, it means that Thimble herself is of course the whole package, what with her adorable face and its gorgeous eyes and it's cute little nose and her great big adorable ears and her majestic whiskers, and you get the idea. Not to mention, on this particular day, Thimble also got to enjoy sunshine and a fleece blanket. Everything was just right, and Thimble is so very thankful for that.

Thimble hopes you all get to enjoy lots of wonderful things yourself today!

***

Now, we're also here to share the fill-in statements for tomorrow's Friendly Fill-Ins challenge. This week is a bit different, though, because it's a special event in honor of Dr. Seuss, whose birthday is on March 2.

So, are you ready for this week's bookish fill-ins? My amazing co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two, and I came up with the second two..

1. My favorite place to read is _________.

2. My favorite genre to read is _________.

3. _________ is a book I could read over and over again.

4. The book _________ inspired me to _________.


We'll see you tomorrow, when we fill in these bookish fill-ins, friends!

***

Tip of the Day

Today is the last day of National Cat Health Month. For our final tip, we're closing out our discussion on medication administration with subcutaneous injections. This topic might sound scary, but with some practice, and perhaps a cooperative kitty, you can become a pro at it.

First and foremost, ensure that you and your kitty are as comfortable and ready as possible for injection time. This may indeed take trial and error. It may also take time for your kitty to become accustomed to injections. One option is to have your cat sit on your lap. You can place a towel or blanket on your lap, as an added protection against claws. Placing your kitty on a table, counter, or even the back of a sturdy chair or couch are other potential options. If you have a helper, they can try to hold your kitty, with said kitty wrapped in a blanket or towel if needed, while you give the injection.

That being said, before getting too far ahead of yourself, make sure that you properly prepare the syringe and needle. If you have any questions regarding the use of a syringe and needle, of course ask your veterinarian, or even request a demonstration. Once you get used to it, it's really not as scary as it seems. With the needle and syringe ready, depending on the medication being injected, be sure to shake, roll, and invert the bottle as needed. Then, of course, using the needle and syringe, draw up the prescribed dosage.

Giving a cat a subcutaneous injection is often best done in the skin near their shoulders. Sometimes, if needed, it can also be given in the skin of the legs, near the hipbones. Before giving the injection, you will need to "tent" your kitty's skin. In other words, pick up the skin between your thumb and index finger. If you are right-handed, you can do this with your left hand, so that you can give the injection with your right hand. While preparing to inject, try to keep the needle more or less parallel to the cat's back, as going in at too much of an angle could lead to issues such as going through the skin on the side or hitting muscle.

Now, with the needle parallel to the back, you will want to give the injection in the "tent" of skin that you've formed by pulling up the skin. Push the needle into the skin firmly enough to slide the needle through, but not so hard that the needle ends up going through the skin on other side, or that the syringe slams against your cat's tented skin. Again, this all might sound scary, but the more times you do this, the more you you will get the feel of it.

At this point, obviously, you will inject the medication. Push the syringe's plunger, making sure that you don't wiggle the syringe and needle too much while you do this. Depending on how you feel most comfortable holding the syringe, you will typically be pressing the plunger with either your index finger or thumb. Once you have given the injection, slide the needle back out, place the safety cap on it, and safely dispose of it. Check to make sure that there is no moisture on your cat's back, which might indicate that the needle either went through to the other side, or that it did not go in at all.

Related to this, if you are giving subcutaneous fluids, such as for a kitty with kidney disease, the general procedure will be very much the same, but the fluids will take longer to complete. You will inject the needle in the same manner as mentioned above, but your kitty will need to remain in place for minutes at a time. So, be sure that both you and your kitty are comfortable before beginning subcutaneous fluids administration. Also be sure that you follow other instructions for giving fluids at home, including warming the fluids bag, ensuring the line has been tested, and so forth. Veterinarians will most often give a demonstration on fluid administration before having you do it on your own. Of course, never be afraid to ask your veterinarian any questions that you have regarding any form of medication administration.