My half grown kitty Sammyson just had surgery on his eyes, making him blind. The vet says I have to clean his eyes 3 to 4 times a day with a wash cloth by dabbing it on his eyes, and then I have to put some antibiotic cream all over the stitches and the eyes - but he won't stay still, he keeps backing out of my hold on him and I don't wanna grab the scruff because it pulls on the skin around his eyes - he naturally doesn't want me messing with his eyes, but I have to, or they will get infected all over again. My hubby gets mad and holds him too tight when I ask him to help me, which further terrifies the baby. How can I hold him still by myself? Help?
2006-12-11 14:30:14 · 22 answers · asked by Timberwolf 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
I had the same problem with my cat. I finally rolled him up in a towel, with his paws by his side and only his head showing and then administering the medicine was relatively painless and easy for the both of us.
2006-12-11 14:36:26 · answer #1 · answered by Tim E 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh I'm so sorry you and your kitty have to go through this. He must be so frightened. I have a cat that is the worst patient too. He's just so squirmy. The only way I have had success to either give him a pill or to trim his claws is to straddle him from behind. It sounds weird, but it really works. What you do is straddle him between your legs while kneeling. You want to have his body from his fore shoulders to his hind quarters firmly between your legs. Cross your ankles behind you so he can't back up out of your grip. You will basically be leaning over him from above to apply the ointment. You can gently tilt his head back so that he is looking up at you. Restraining him from the rear is less threatening than a forward, head-on "assault" if you will so most cats will be a bit more calm. Try it. It really does work. When you are through, simply spread your legs and he will naturally move forward. Good luck. I hope he gets well soon!
2006-12-11 22:42:14 · answer #2 · answered by Alleycat 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First what you want to do is explain to your cat what you are about to do, include phrases like this is going to make you feel better and this medicine is good for you. Pet your kitty gently while offering the explanation with a soothing tone in your voice. Try not to baby talk your cat. With a large towel on your lap, ease your cat on to your lap with it's back to you. It takes some practice. Once the cat is on the towel, lift it up around him. This will restrain him without freaking him out. You may even try putting the towel in the dryer first to make it all warm and cozy. You will not have much time once the kitty is wrapped up so be swift. Sammyson will understand even if he act like he's mad. Feel free to email me if you need more info.
2006-12-11 22:43:59 · answer #3 · answered by babycattos 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have found it best to sit on floor with legs out straight. Put cat between your thights and knees with its head facing your feet. Hopefully cat will go into sitting possition and you can hold cat steady around it's chest with crook of elbow and hand under chin. With free hand clean and medicate. This possition minimizes scratches and the cat feels less threatened being on the floor vs. in someones arms. Good luck! I had a hellofa time medicating my Pursian's eye infection. This is what I found worked best.
2006-12-11 22:42:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had the same problem trying to doctor the cat's eyes. The only way I could accomplish it was to wrap her up in a towel, sit in the floor and put both ends of the towel under me so she could not get away. I am here to tell you though, she DID not like it, but I was able to medicate her eyes safely this way.
2006-12-11 22:41:33 · answer #5 · answered by rosey 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wear long sleeves to prevent your arm(s) from being scratched. Hold the cat gently against your body with one hand. Take your pointer finger and wrap it tightly around one leg (preferably behind the elbow if you can) and wrap your ring finger around the other front leg. (sorry-can't do much for back legs-that's why you wear the long sleeves to prevent scratches) Hope this helps a little.
2006-12-11 22:35:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I sit cross legged with the baby (cat) in my lap. I have my bf put one hand on its chest (like the pledge of alligiance) and one on his back. Sort of a kitty hug with hands. Keep the front hand more towards the legs than the throat.
2006-12-11 22:39:48 · answer #7 · answered by Sugarshots 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
are you sure you're grabbing him low enough on his neck when you're scruffing him? because that really is the best way to do hold him so he doesn't move on you. you should be grabbing the skin around the base of his neck, not up towards his ears.
another way you could try is to kneel on the floor, and hold the cat firmly between your legs with his back toward you, then hold his head and tilt his face back up towards you so that you can clean his eyes.
2006-12-11 22:34:53 · answer #8 · answered by mighty_power7 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Ask your vet for a sedative, to help your cat during this period, and also so you can take care of the cats eyes. Poor thing!
2006-12-11 22:37:25 · answer #9 · answered by EM-water2 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Zoloft
2006-12-12 16:01:15 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋