How To Medicate Your Cat... And Live To Tell The Story!
by Susan Nelson
Hopkins
 Are you familiar with the
saying, "You've got a tiger by the tail"? Well, it doesn't even
begin to describe the battle you're in for if you try to stick a
pill down a cat's throat!
Your sick little buddy is
suddenly blinded by fear... and eons of Darwinian instinct suddenly
transform him into a howling demon! Poor little fella'... and poor,
scratched you.
There has to be a better
way, for both of you. Experience (scars and all!) has developed some
successful methods:
Medicating Your
Cat With Pills...
- With your vet's approval, crush the
pill and add the pieces to meat-flavored baby food, canned tuna,
or canned cat food
- If the pill has to be administered
whole, this is the easiest way...
- Sit with your cat in a quiet room
- Cradle him under one arm, and with
your other hand gently press the sides of his mouth open
with your forefinger and thumb
- Tilt his head up slightly, and drop
the pill into the back of his mouth... and immediately close
his mouth
- Be sure to hold his mouth shut
until he swallows... gently stroking his throat may
stimulate him to swallow
- Caution... don't block his
nose at any time (or Mt. Vesuvius will erupt!)
- Observe your buddy for a while to make
sure he doesn't vomit up the pill. If he does, give him
another... his anxiety will gradually diminish.
- Do NOT dissolve a pill in his
water dish, because he won't drink enough water at one time
to get the proper dosage. The pills can also give the water a
strange taste, and he may become dehydrated because he won't
drink it.
- Also, make sure he has access to food
and water immediately... unless, of course, your vet instructs
otherwise.
Medicating Your
Cat With Drops...
- Vitamins and
antibiotics can be given as a liquid, so ask your vet for drops
instead of pills.
- Remember to use the
dropper that comes with the medication when you administer it,
to ensure the correct dosage.
- Administer the drops in
exactly the same way you would insert a pill into his mouth (see
above).
- Unless otherwise instructed by your
vet, it's vital that he have immediate access to water and food.
Medicating Your
Cat With Injections...
- It is essential to
follow your vet's injection schedule.
- Mix the contents by rolling the vial
gently in your hands... do NOT shake it.
- When injecting your cat, have him lie
down on a comfortable surface.
- Pull the skin up gently at the back of
his neck.
- The needle doesn't need to be inserted
very far because it's quite thin.
- See that he eats or drinks immediately
after the injection (unless instructed otherwise).
It sounds intimidating, but
you and your buddy will become more comfortable with the whole
process.
After a few medicating
sessions, and if you're really lucky, your buddy may actually
maintain his sweet nature... instead of becoming a howling aberration of himself!
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