Insatiable curiosity, of course, is what kitties are all about. 

I took the bandages off the  **dialysis fistula buttonholes, and they were unusually bloody this time. Dougy indicated he wanted to see them. (Top photo) So, being servant to this master, I pushed them toward Dougy.

“Mmmm! Bloooood!” Dougy is thrilled!

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WARNING!! What follows are graphic descriptions and videos related to dialysis for end term kidney failure!

** “dialysis fistula buttonholes” – You have to source the blood for the dialysis machine somewhere, and these two little openings in the skin to the dialysis fistula are it.

After dialysis, the needles are removed, and I sit there for 20 minutes applying pressure so I don’t bleed out through one or the other buttonhole: a scab forms and you don’t bleed to death!

Sometimes, however, the scabs are insufficient to do the job, and continuing pressure is applied with tape and bandages with a pad that coagulates any fluid blood. That is the blood in these particular bandage pads. Usually, there’s barely a hint of blood.

“Buttonholes” are created by using the same holes in the skin and to the fistula till they become permanent. A dull needle, then, can be used to access the fistula. Otherwise, a sharp one has to be used.

I know this is more than you ever wanted to know about dialysis, but wait till you open this video! It shows the surgery where the artery and vein are fused together to create the dialysis fistula: 

Eek! Urp! Blap! Well, I know you are as curious as a kitty, so there you go! If you are ready for more, here’s how they hook you up to the dialysis machine:

Never mind! I don’t look either! LOL!