Need some advice with Hobbes

As some of you may remember, little Hobbes, who we adopted in February, has a host of issues (URI, herpes, a heart murmur - though the cardiologist could not find anything, Thank God, and asthma). For a while he had the asthma attacks almost daily and then his vet gave him a shot of antihistamine (that's what my receipt said) and later he told me it was a steriod shot. That worked for 2 months or so and then the asthma attacks started again. Yesterday was the worst by far and thankfully it happened early in the day when the clinic was open. So the vet prescribed Hobbes prednisone for 5 days twice a day and then as needed. He also asked me to check out the inhaler that I can get online.To be honest, I would have preferred to not go the steriod route but it seems to be the best option for immediate concern and then I will try to train Hobbes on the inhaler. The issue now is, I am unable to feed Hobbes the prednisone tablet. It is not as small as metrogyl that I have gives Calvin in the past. ALso Hobbes is a licker, unlike Calvin, and so cheese or butter is not working at all. Any suggestions as to the best way to give Hobbes the prednisone.

Can you crush it and mix in food?

How about Pill Pockets - the trick is to read the instructions carefully - basically you put the pill in with one hand, and seal the pocket with the other, so theoretically no scent of pill is left on the pocket. Mine love the pockets...I usually give one or two empty ones out as a treat, with slide the one with the pill in between the two empty ones. I was able to give Dante Baytril with the pill pockets and that's a pretty big pill.

Good luck with little Hobbes.

Thanks Staphanietx and darlili for the suggestions.
I doubt if crushing this pill will work. I crush the l-lysine everyday and they lick it even before I add that to their food. But it seemed that it will be a different story with prednisone. I tried giving it to Hobbes with butter and he was pretty replused. In fact he would not even take dried shrimp treats from me before I washed my hand after handling prednisone
I did buy some pill pockets today and will give that a shot. I will try your method, darlili and see. Or else will call the vet tomorrow asking for liquid prednisone. Anyone have any experience with liquid prednisone?

You might see if there's a pet pharmacy that can compound them into a treat, maybe Wedgwood Pharmacy?? I know there's a pharm in Houston that does it, too, but not sure the name of it.

Originally Posted by stephanietx

You might see if there's a pet pharmacy that can compound them into a treat, maybe Wedgwood Pharmacy?? I know there's a pharm in Houston that does it, too, but not sure the name of it.

Click to expand...

I had not thought of that at all. I may look around for the future - that's a great idea - thanks so much.
Yesterday, I did have success with pillpockets. I gave Hobbes 2 without meds and then 1 med and, although he made a face he was back for more and then he got more as treat Calvin is having fun, too, since he's getting pill pocket treats.

I take prednisone its BAD if it sits in mouth more then a second to swallow you will have a aftertaste for some time.

My vet oked me crushing a prednisone for one of my cats so double check with yours, I use 2 syringes for that. first one is tuna water or gravy from fancy feast gravy lovers and the crushed pill, 2nd is just the juice to wash down the pill.

I do this with any pill thats oked for crushing

Yay pill pockets! BTW, how are they and the basement post-mouse?

Why not just "pill" him? It can take a few tries to get the hang of it, but IMO it's an important "skill" to have.

You sit on the floor with your butt on your heels and your legs in a "V." Best to do while they're eating a meal - catch them off guard, and food is right there to "chase" it down.

If you're a "righty," hold his head with your left hand. Have pill ready in your right. With your left index finger, push his mouth open at the back of his jaw. With your right index finger, push the pill in - all the way over the hump in his tongue to the back of his throat. You won't hurt him (he may chomp on your finger, but it shouldn't break your skin), and at that point, stroke his throat gently, he should easily swallow it.

If you coat it in a touch of butter, it'll make it easier for you and not bitter for him.

Just go into it with confidence. Once you've done it 2 or 3 times, it should be very quick and easy! (Yes, your finger gets a little sore if you have to pill 2x a day LOL).

for both of you!

@ catsallaround. That's really innovative. I too have heard about prednisone being bad tasting. In fact when I tried giving it to Hobbes with butter, he just refused after a lick when he got the taste.
We've given Hobbes antibiotic syrup with syringe before and we mastered the technique. So if the pill pockets did not work, we would have asked for syrup/ liquid prednisone that's available but then your method should work the same way too. Will make a note of it.

@ Laurie: That would be a great skill to have and one that is a little scary. Of my two, Hobbes would be the more difficult one to pill since he's powerfully wriggly and I am always scared of stressing him out. I want to get one of those bags that Carolina has written about in the past. I am really glad that the pill pockets are working so far.

The issue with Hobbes is, he is a biter and does not particularly like being held. He is way more comfortable with us holding him than he was before but he wants contact with us on his terms and we let him be since we've seen the progress.

@ darlili: Oh the mice issue is - well - no fun. We did some cleaning and found no droppings. The landlord sent a pest control and let's just say- the guy and I've had communication issues. He was fine the 1st day. He came and set up some traps (the ones that kill) but since it was my landlord's issue I let him. 2 mice were caught but that's it. I was supposed to call him and let him know. I called him wednesday - he said he'll call me next morning and come over. No calls on Thursday and Friday. Friday afternoon I called and he was rude - said he does not remember the conversation saying he'd come and that I was to call etc etc. Then he said he'd call saturday 1st thing in the morning. He did not - just showed up close to 11am. Told me would go out and check the outside where the mice may be entering from and let the landlord know. He did not check - just walked out and drove away. So really, I do not know what's happening. My landlords were out of town - will call and see if they are back and talk to them. I think the pest control guy thought this was low yield for him and so does not want to do anything. It just may be up to us. In that case we will get some humane traps and start. ugh - i just hate this.