Administering pills nightmare

jpawz

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Ok, I skimmed the replies and I think it's all been covered. But I have to reiterate how great the Pill Pockets are. I have seen the most stubborn pets chow those down and look for more.

They are especially a lifesaver if you are on chronic/daily meds. If the pill is larger, do sections. You want to make sure you don't leave traces of a cut *BITTER* pills ON the outside of the pill pocket (cats are notorious for THAT discovery) though some won't even care.

Now, I have pilled a range of animals over the years. It's almost a point of pride thing " I WILL pill my cat, dangit!"
But it's backfired on me too. The trick with the pill is getting it down in one fell swoop at a good tilt of the head, down at the "V" of the back of the throat (or as far back as you can shoot). Once in, before you can blink, you clamp (gently but firmly) shut their jaw and massage their throat to encourage swallow. If the cat can get his gums/teeth on the pill, you lost that round. He/she will slide it out faster than a NY second. A 2nd try is rarely allowed


With liquids, that same approach isn't best because a fast sloosh of fluid can cause a pet to gag and choke some right back up. Resulting in botched attempt, and very low odds on a 2nd attempt. With a liquid, you want to be a 'sidewinder'. Go from the side at an even pass.

In both cases I am on the floor on my knees, pet anchord firmly between my legs so they cant' creep backward, one arm fastened around their body. Towels are great for some, but I find they can get in the way.

Before you every crush a med, ask the lab/vet. Some meds lose efficacy based on absorption, and also, some crushed meds aren't always fully ingested (you know how it goes, you break up a pill, put it in wet food, the cat refused to eat the food, or leaves a portion!)

That all said, again--Pill Pockets. When they work, THEY WORK. No stress. Amazing burden off pet parents (and pets!). Especially for those more bitter meds.

http://www.greenies.com/en_US/produc...l_pockets.asp?
 

tru

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I hope I'm not duplicating suggestions, (this is a rare time when I didn't read all the posts before posting), but in anticipation of needing to de-worm for tapes in ferals I found some droncit spot on that you do just like the frontline, advantage and revolution.
The Droncit Spot On can be found at this link.

Since I use Revolution for the flea meds, all I need worry about is using the Droncit rather than the Drontal.


ETA: I just got some pill pockets for giving Nugent his carpon and he actually likes them. I was very pleased about that.
 

sharky

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Piling a cat ranks up with going to the dentist here...

My youngest is a sinch place pill in butter or hairball goop = pills gone

Oldest takes two humans and a little luck
 

wmarcello

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It's times like these when I wish cats were more like dogs. Just mix it in with some food and they'll gobble it all up without even chewing. Cats are just smarter I guess.
 

jpawz

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Originally Posted by wmarcello

It's times like these when I wish cats were more like dogs. Just mix it in with some food and they'll gobble it all up without even chewing. Cats are just smarter I guess.
I had to laugh remembering my inlaws' German Shephard. My MIL actually homecooked for her a lot of the time. Tasha *never* refused a homecooked plate of food. Licked her bowls clean.

There was one time where Tash was on some med, I forget what now. But no one thought it would be big deal. Heaping portion of mom's food in bowl, pill buried in center.

Tasha comes in the living room after a few minutes (we are all sitting there watching tv). Tasha looks at us and proceeds to spit the pill out of her mouth with total disdain.
Looked at her bowl, and it was LICKED CLEAN!
 

evinea

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That is an excellent analogy!!! You know, my one cat got knocked out for his teeth cleaning.....why can't I???

Good Night Everyone, sleep well.
Amy
 

opiebopie

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I saw in the pet store yesterday, cat treats made to stuff pills in them. They were round with a hole in the middle for those pesky pills!
 

jean44

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Originally Posted by OpieBopie

I saw in the pet store yesterday, cat treats made to stuff pills in them. They were round with a hole in the middle for those pesky pills!
Yes, Pill Pockets. They work great for my gang. I can pill cats that were impossible to pill any other way.
 

opiebopie

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Thats what they were! Pill Pockets!
I just noticed where you live. I lived there too for a while.. I miss it!
 

xxtashaxx

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i havnt read through this hole thread so bare with me lol.
i use the towl method and it normally works well , i have to do it on my own as my partner will have no part in it.
so i wrap them up including paws i do it tight but not to tight so that there is is just sticking out , then i put them between my legs so i can get a better hold , then i lift there head open there mouth and put the pill to the back of there mouth then shut there mouth and rub gently on ther throat untill they swollow it. 1 of my cats do have problems with it so i keep a sryinge handy with some water in it to help the tablet slide down. they wont come near me for a few hours after and flinch everytime i go near them , but after a day there back to normal with me.
 

wmarcello

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Originally Posted by Jpawz

I had to laugh remembering my inlaws' German Shephard. My MIL actually homecooked for her a lot of the time. Tasha *never* refused a homecooked plate of food. Licked her bowls clean.

There was one time where Tash was on some med, I forget what now. But no one thought it would be big deal. Heaping portion of mom's food in bowl, pill buried in center.

Tasha comes in the living room after a few minutes (we are all sitting there watching tv). Tasha looks at us and proceeds to spit the pill out of her mouth with total disdain.
Looked at her bowl, and it was LICKED CLEAN!
That just made my day.
 

beandip

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Originally Posted by wmarcello

That just made my day.


It sort of reminds me of a time when I gave one of my cats a pill pocket...can't remember, I think it was Pumpkin...but she managed to devour the treat and spit out the pill.
She falls for the treat trick now, but that one incident was funny.
 

blaise

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How to give a cat a pill:

1. Pick up cat and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if holding a baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of catâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow.
2. Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process.
3. Retrieve cat from bedroom, and throw soggy pill away.
4. Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm holding rear paws tightly with left hand. Force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with right fore-finger. Hold mouth shut for a count of ten.
5. Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe. Call spouse in from garden.
6. Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, hold front and rear paws. Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and rub catâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s throat vigorously.
7. Retrieve cat from curtain rail, get another pill from foil wrap. Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered figurines and vases from hearth and set to one side for gluing later.
8. Wrap cat in large towel and get spouse to lie on cat with head just visible from below armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force mouth open with pencil and blow down the straw.
9. Check label to make sure pill not harmful to humans, drink glass of water to take taste away. Apply band-aid to spouseâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap.
10. Retrieve cat from neighborâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s shed. Get another pill. Place cat in cupboard and close door onto neck to leave head showing. Force mouth open with dessert spoon. Flick pill down throat with elastic band.
11. Fetch screwdriver from garage and put cupboard door back on hinges. Apply cold compress to cheek and check records for date of last tetanus jab. Throw Tee-shirt away and fetch new one from bedroom.
12. Ring fire brigade to retrieve cat from tree across road. Apologize to neighbor who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat. Take last pill from foil wrap.
13. Tie catâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s front paws to rear paws with garden twine and bind tightly to leg of dining table, find heavy duty pruning gloves from shed. Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of fillet steak. Hold head vertically and pour two pints of water down throat to wash pill down.
14. Get spouse to drive you to the emergency room, sit quietly while doctor stitches fingers and forearm and remove pill remnants from right eye. Call furniture shop on way home to order new table.
15. Arrange for SPCA to collect cat and ring local pet shop to see if they have any hamsters.

source http://www.itchmo.com/read/how-to-gi...70502#more-566
 
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