My cat had to have an emergency catheterization yesterday, and has to take 3 kinds of medicine - a liquid antibiotic (I can manage this one), a steroid pill, and a gel pain killer that goes on his gums. I got the pill plunger from the vet, but he is freakishly strong and wiggles away before I can get it in his mouth! I have tried crushing his pills before and mixing them with tuna or soft cat food, but he knows it's in there and won't eat it. He doesn't like any treats or cheese either, so that's not an option. I'm out of ideas, so any helpful suggestions would be great. Thanks!!
2006-11-22 01:28:14 · 11 answers · asked by SLR 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
Thanks everyone! I'm going to try crushing the pill and putting it in water this afternoon. Luckily Jet is never ever a biter, so that's one thing I don't have to worry about. :-)
2006-11-22 02:24:42 · update #1
the easiest way to get a cat to do anything without a major struggle.. wrap it up in a towel, or kinda straddle the cat, put the cat in front of you facing away, so when it backs up, they get cornered/blocked with your body.
2006-11-22 04:22:08 · answer #1 · answered by amber 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since you are able to get the liquid antibiotic into your cat without a problem I would consider crushing the steroid pill into a small amount of water and using a syringe to flush the mixture into the back of your cats mouth.
Definitely wrap the towel around the body and legs of your cat and be sure you have it tight enough so he can't get out. Watch your hands / fingers cats have a way of still biting even in this position.
Remember you cat is only trying to protect himself so don't get mad or uptight about this.
I'm always sure to do something to my kitty after a treatment to help them feel okay with me touching them. Whether it be a treat, a game, stroking him or praising him. Do something so it seems okay.
Hope this helps
2006-11-22 02:04:11 · answer #2 · answered by karaborr 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh I am so sorry. This sounds awful for you both. Please know that I am thinking of you all and that someone out here is sending you as many calming and healing prayers as possible. I would have tried that crushing the stuff into food too. Hmmm. I once crushed up medicine into a little water, put it into a plastic syringe (which I think the vet gave me) and squirted it into the mouth. The cat would swallow reflexively and it would be over. Even if you put it in really moist cat food he can tell?
2006-11-22 01:33:11 · answer #3 · answered by Isis 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Definitely try wrapping the kitty in a towel. When I first got my kitten she had worms and I had to give her 4 different meds and it was just torture to us both - the pill plunger can make it easier but also be tricky. Also try the pill in water then administer like a liquid. It's not easy. Good luck.
2006-11-22 02:15:03 · answer #4 · answered by Jonela 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had to give some pills to our kittys for a certain kind of strange worm they developed. The vet showed me how to very quickly put the pill in the back of their throats. Put it all the way back, past the gag thingy. They will gag, but the swallow will get it down. It looks mean, but it really isnt. It is alot easier after the first time.
2006-11-22 02:20:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok, I'm pretty heartless when it comes to giving my cats meds. I pick mine up and set them in the comfy arm chair and place my against them so they are trapped and can't move, I maneuver the syringe into the the back of the mouth (so it pretty much squirts directly down their throat) and then just squirt it all in there. They spit out what gets in their mouth but most of it goes down their throat. Then I lavish the cat with praise about what a good kitty he is, and give him tons of kisses and carresses so he connects taking his medicine with getting lots of extra love.
2016-05-22 14:22:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are treats with hallow centers where the pill can be placed that I’d used before with success. But if your cat can tell when you place it in his food, then that might not work. I would suggest wrapping him up in a blanket like an egg roll and dealing with him then. He won’t like it, but tough.
2006-11-22 01:36:40 · answer #7 · answered by Reona 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi there...to add to everyone's great suggestions here are two instructional videos by Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine of Feline Health on how to administer both liquid and pill medications:
Liquid: http://www.felinevideos.vet.cornell.edu/liquid_medications/
Pills: http://www.felinevideos.vet.cornell.edu/pill_or_capsule/
2006-11-22 05:48:26 · answer #8 · answered by ♪ Seattle ♫ 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Boy, sounds like you have my cat. He had a very serious urinary infection. Antibiotic tabs and steroid tabs. Couldn't give him either one. You see, he's huge, I live alone, in a wheelchair, and limited use of the right hand, and I'm right handed. Well, that was 3 yrs. ago, and he's still alive.
2006-11-22 04:30:56 · answer #9 · answered by Sandi A 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have wrapped a towel snugly around them where they could not claw me or get their way out, and have them in my lap. They will struggle some, but it is much easier this way then trying without the towel and fighting with them forever.
2006-11-22 01:32:38 · answer #10 · answered by voidtillnow 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋