Giving buprenex under the tongue?

I am having a terrible time getting Miss to cooperate. I am trying to stick the syringe there but holy cow, she is fighting me. I'm trying treats, telling her she is a good girl, talking to her. It's awful. Took me 3 minutes to get half of her dose. I am trying not to stress this cat. But I don't know how to get this done. Argh!

Any tips?

Okay, I do not have any personal experience with this drug but I do have a lot in medicating cats. First, I would call the vet and ask how the medication is absorbed. Does it actually have to be under the tongue or can it be swallowed? If it's the latter I would think so long as you can get it in her mouth she will absorb it and get some relief. 

Also, ask the vet if it can be put in something and then consumed. I have had a ton of success medicating cats by putting the medication in something they enjoy. For a liquid I usually put it in some cat's milk and they drink it right up! 

So, I guess what I see as the biggest roadblock is figuring out how the medication is absorbed which only the prescribing vet can tell you. Also, ask for their advice on how to administer the med. If it does have to be sublingual is there someone you can call who can come hold her down while you give it to her? If you have to do it that way just go for it- have someone hold her and do it as quick as you can. She will hate it but it's better than her being in pain!  If she can swallow it then try putting it in something else (cat's milk or wet food) and letting her take it that way. 

Good luck! 

This one is definitely not as effective if swallowed. 

IMO - Just do the best you can and don't be too pedantic about getting it exactly under the tongue. Around the side of the tongue, or almost anywhere in the mouth (so long as it isn't instantly swallowed) is going to be better than nothing...and much better than stressing the cat out trying to get it exact. The mucus membranes underneath the tongue are going to be the best, but elsewhere in the mouth will still absorb the medication (just not as efficiently/not as much) 

You could try doing small amounts at a time? (less likely a huge amount being swallowed that way)  Also, try and avoid treats as that would get saliva going and possibly rinse medication out of mouth more quickly. 

I'm not a cat expert, but have experience in pharmacology (humans). I realize felines and humans are very different in many ways, but absorption of buprenorphine sublingually is one thing that's going to be similar. 

Is this going to be an ongoing thing or for acute pain? 

Before trying anything different than what the vet has specifically instructed I'd reccomend calling to ask if it's OK to try, or for any tips they could give. 

Just squirt it into the mouth. It doesn't have to be "under the tongue". It will be absorbed by the membranes in the mouth.

Slip the sryinge into the side of the mouth and plunge. It will hit the tongue or gums. The main thing is to not make it go down the throat.

I have used buprenex in cats countless times. It does not have to specifically be under the tongue, it just has to be in the mouth, not down the throat.

otto said:

I have used buprenex in cats countless times. It does not have to specifically be under the tongue, it just has to be in the mouth, not down the throat.

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That's good to hear. Was picturing trying to get a cat to take a dose of liquid under their tongue and hold it there 

Just out of interest how much buperenex did your cats get prescibed per dose? (OP, or anyone else who has had experience with it) I remember reading somewhere that they sometimes need higher amounts per. kg/pound than people..although could have been mistaken about that. 

Buprenex is the good stuff!   I always love how happy and goofy it makes my cats.   My vet tells me to aim for the cheek pouch.    First set the scene, I'm sitting on the edge of the bathtub with the cat sitting on a toilet seat with a fuzzy cover (no slipping) next to me, his right side is facing me - he's looking to the right.   I reach back and around with my left hand to hold and stabilize his head from his left side and restrain him from jumping away.   I use the tip of my left index finger (from the left on that side) and the syringe itself on the right side to pry his mouth open just a little. Then I get the the syringe into his mouth about midway (not as far back as if you were giving a pill) and then I move it to the side toward me (his right)  - I'll be able to see if the end of the syringe is pushing on the side of the cheek toward me (or popping out) and then I quickly hit the plunger.   This for me has been the easiest way and they get very good absorption of the med.   This should be a very quick five second operation once you've got it down.  Good luck to you!

Chrisso said:

That's good to hear. Was picturing trying to get a cat to take a dose of liquid under their tongue and hold it there 

Just out of interest how much buperenex did your cats get prescibed per dose? (OP, or anyone else who has had experience with it) I remember reading somewhere that they sometimes need higher amounts per. kg/pound than people..although could have been mistaken about that. 

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.1 (point one) ML orally every 12 hours for a 9.5 pound cat.

Like Bastfriend's cats, my cats have always seemed to enjoy a happy buzz on this medication. I have seem some reports in this forum of cats with bad reactions to buprenex, turning aggressive or anxious or restless.

But out of the five cats I have had to use this med on over the years, I've seen only pain relief (usually in about 20 minutes), a happy demeanor for another hour or so, then sleep.

I love buprenex (buprenorphine) for short term pain relief for cats. It's safe, effective and easy to give.

One of my departed angel kitties had the most dramatic reaction to Buprenex - she had advanced kidney failure so that might have made it more so.   She got all goofy with her eyes dilated and purring and then stared at the wall like she was having hallucinations for a couple of hours, following like she was watching bugs on it.   She seemed happy and fascinated so I let her be.    When the vet had me giving Big Guy regular doses for a few days this summer I was concerned about whether he'd become a cat junkie but the vet said that the dose was small enough and that we control it it's okay.    But if it were up to the cat there'd be a need for some rehab!

Wow, thanks for all of the replies!

I am aiming for cheek pouch. I have found she will try to swallow any other way.

Miss is almost 20lbs (yeah, we are working on that!) so she gets .025mls. The syringe is .5ml, and she gets half of that.

I don't think it's going to be long term-she has cystitis, so hopefully this gets cleared up soon. It's hard to see her hurting, but glad the Buprenex makes her sleepy and rest.

Good I'm glad so many others have had experience with the drug and that you just need to get it in her mouth- that's at least easier than under the tongue!

Just to (hopefully) make you smile, someone e-mailed this to me once and I thought it was hysterical. Obviously it's a joke but when your trying to medicate an unhappy feline it doesn't feel like one!    Sending vibes that she gets better fast! 

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 cat’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 forefinger.  Hold mouth shut for a count of ten.  


5.   Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe.





Call spouse in from the 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 cat'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 drinking straw  



9.   Check label to make sure pill not harmful to humans and drink one beer to take taste away.  Apply band-aid to spouse's forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap. 



10.   Retrieve cat from neighbor's shed. 



Get another pill.  Open another beer.  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.  Drink beer. Fetch bottle of scotch.  Pour shot, drink. 



Apply cold compress to cheek and check records for date of last tetanus shot.  Apply whiskey compress to cheek to disinfect. Toss back another shot.  Throw tee-shirt away and fetch new one from bedroom.  


12.   Call fire department to retrieve the damn cat from the top of the tree across the road. Apologize to neighbor who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat. 



Take last pill from foil wrap.  


13.   Using heavy-duty pruning gloves from shed, tie the little *&#%^'s front paws to rear paws with garden twine and bind tightly to leg of dining table.  Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of filet steak.  Be rough about it.  Hold head vertically and pour two pints of water down throat to wash pill down.  





14.   Consume remainder of scotch.  Get spouse to drive you to the emergency room. Sit quietly while doctor stitches fingers and forearm and removes pill remnants from right eye.  Call furniture shop on way home to order new table. 



15.   Arrange for ASPCA to collect mutant cat from hell and call local pet shop to see if they have any hamsters. 




How To Give A Dog A Pill

1.  Wrap it in bacon.

2.  Toss it in the air.  

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Is the Buprenex in liquid form?  Draw up the needed amount in syringe. Next you'll need maybe 2 persons- 1 to hold the cat the other to give the medicine. Try placing the syringe at the side of her mouth. More likely the cat is clinching her teeth together, keep gently pushing the syringe into her mouth until she opens her mouth, which will be very quickly in a chewing motion, then you need to squirt the med into her mouth. It takes some practice to do this, so that you don't get bitten or hurt the kitty's mouth.  I'm going through it right now with a very sick kitty who has mouth ulcers on both sides of her mouth which are very painful to her.  Good Luck!!