Tricky situation

I have to give Mickey metro in pill form...big pill form and a paste called Acute Care which is to help with good bacteria in his tummy.The vet gave him his first dose of metro yesterday and I had to give him the paste last night and this morning.Well that didn't go so great last night,better this morning but still not great.Does anyone have any tips on getting these things into him????

I think I should probably point out that I only have one finger on each hand which makes things a little more complicated.My Mom was always around for these things and now I live a half hour away and can't expect her to come down everyday for 10 days.Also my husband is not much help...he's afraid that Mickey will "hate him forever" ...his words not mine lol!!! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Metro is very bitter, so it's not one you want to slip in the wrong way. Honestly, I'd tell the husband to suck it up - cats get over things. (I don't know why guys wuss out on this stuff, mine doesn't want the cats mad at him for giving them meds, either )
For that one it's better to stick it in an empty gel capsule, butter that lightly, and toss it right down the back of his throat.

The paste shouldn't taste bad. Does it say anything on the back about giving it with food? If not, you could probably mix it with his wet food.

I know I don't know why men have to be so wimpy about these things He also told me yesterday that he can't wait to watch me try and take his cat to the vet...notice that I have to do all the bad things lol!!

I read that I can put some butter or margarine on the pill to ease it down his throat.Does this sound ok to you?

Also are cats generally sleepy when they take metro or is it the rain knocking my baby out today???

It's easier for all involved if you can put the metro inside of something.

It could be the metro, or that and yesterday's stress.

I wish I had a clue where to get something to put it in.I live in a pretty rural area with not much in the way of pet supply stores (theres one here actually and they have nothing). I'm going to have to wing it today and head out tomorrow and find something.

I hadn't thought of the stress factor.I know we're all down here today my husband and I have really bad colds,feels more like a mild flu,and both cats are napping away on their respective window seats...maybe it's a sympathy thing

If you cannot get him to help you could always take your cat to the vet and let them do it.
Using butter, squirt cheese, or peanut butter can be helpful depending on the cat. There is a also a device that helps with getting pills in the back of the animal's throat, but it can also be tricky depending on the cat.

Thanks I think I may try the butter today and see how that goes just for lack of a better solution.Tomorrow I will drag my sorry butt into town and find something more suitable.I wish we had more around us at times like these.

So should I coat the pill in butter???

Do you have a local pharmacy? If so give them a call and ask if they sell empty gel capsules - if not, you've saved yourself a trip.

Excellent idea....my brain is on hiatus since I got sick I think I actually need to go to the pharmacy after for more Sudafed.I'll check that out and if not I think I found somewhere that sells Greenies Pill Pockets but that will be a drive for tomorrow.

Do you give the pill the same way in the pill pocket? Place it in the back of his throat?

Pills go at the back of the throat, try to bypass as much of the tongue as possible. Just like when we take pills.

Pill pockets are just a treat to hold pills and trick cats into taking them on their own. They don't work that way for all medicines, though, because there are some things you just can't cover up the flavor of.

Originally Posted by suzieQ77

Excellent idea....my brain is on hiatus since I got sick I think

I actually need to go to the pharmacy after for more Sudafed.I'll check that out and if not I think I found somewhere that sells Greenies Pill Pockets but that will be a drive for tomorrow.

Do you give the pill the same way in the pill pocket? Place it in the back of his throat?

Click to expand...

The directions on the use of the pill pocket are below. They do work well if your cat doesn't outsmart them.


\t1. Hold Pill PocketsÂ[emoji]174[/emoji] treat with thumb and forefinger. Insert tablet or capsule.
\t2. Using the same hand holding the pocket, squeeze the top half closed.
\t3. The Pill PocketsÂ[emoji]174[/emoji] treat is now sealed. Feed to your pet.

Important: To prevent transfer of medicine smell or taste, do not touch Pill PocketsÂ[emoji]174[/emoji] treat with the hand that held the pill

I have heard a lot of great success stories with the pill pockets for cats. I hope they work for you.

Thanks so much for the great advice.Seeing as I couldn't get out before I had to give him his pill I used butter.Crazy little buggar followed me into the bedroom licked some off my finger and then I just slid the pill in!
I was so amazed at how easily I did it and what a good sport he was
I think I couldhave gotten it a little farther down his throat though but there was no foaming,just a bunch of licking afterwards.Now he's sulking.

I'm glad the butter worked! It's so much easier when they cooperate. A little butter as a treat won't harm him either if you want to make it even easier to get pills down him.

I'm not sure if he's cooperating with me or is just too tired to care anymore I just gave him his paste with the syringe in his mouth and he was more than happy to let me.Poor little guy just knows he has no choice now.
If only I could get the hubby to take his sinus infection meds that easily