How to administer oral liquid medicine? [Doxycycline]

marc999

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Nov 27, 2013
Messages
442
Purraise
63
Location
Northern reaches of north
Hi,

I've been given Doxycycline in liquid form, to administer orally to Boo, for his high fever. [0.5 ml x2 / day]

Doxycycline is a general purpose anti-biotic.

I've given 2 doses, yet neither really went well.

The first dose, he pretty well dribbled out his mouth.

The second dose was horrible - he was frothing everywhere, like a rabid dog, and coughing.   I felt just terrible.

Apparently Doxycycline (even crushed tablets in fish broth) is a horrible taste to cats, thus the frothing, according to what I've read from others.

I believe it's hitting his tongue, thus causing the frothing but I can't be sure.   I'm concerned that if I shoot for the back of the throat, he might choke?

So how do you folks administer a liquid medicine like this?  Tilt head up and shoot medicine straight to back of throat? Or, place syringe in side of mouth, holding head horizontal?

Note:

*He isn't eating voluntarily right now, hence the need to administer orally via small syringe.*
 

stephenq

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jun 19, 2003
Messages
5,672
Purraise
944
Location
East Coast, USA
You can get it compounded with a flavor which can help.  I like to shoot liquid meds unto the roof of their mouth where they don't have any taste buds, but the bottom line is if it tastes that bad to your cat nothing may help. You could also request a switch to a pill antibiotic (like clavamox as an example) and pill her either manually or with a pill pocket (hollow treat).
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3

marc999

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Nov 27, 2013
Messages
442
Purraise
63
Location
Northern reaches of north
Oh, that's brilliant thanks.  Roof of the mouth. I'll try that.

Yes, the Vet. made up the solution there - they crush the pills into a fish broth, then I administer via syringe.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5

marc999

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Nov 27, 2013
Messages
442
Purraise
63
Location
Northern reaches of north
You're right - hadn't thought about the obvious,woops.

Yet, having said that - I'm not going to give the doxycycline to him anymore because he was extremely lethargic, seemed nauseous and has absolutely no appetite. So even worse than prior to the drug, in my opinion.

This morning - I went to Walmart and picked up some jars of baby food and just gave him 1/2 the jar via syringe.

Also gave him ~ 25ml of homemade chicken broth and some Pedialyte via syringe. 

He's grooming himself a bit right now and has his eyes open, so that's an improvement.  He's also in his cardboard box as opposed to curled up in a dark corner away from me.

Tonight - I give him the 2nd dose of the appetite stimulant. 
 

stephenq

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jun 19, 2003
Messages
5,672
Purraise
944
Location
East Coast, USA
Would you like to explain why he was given the Doxy in the first place?  There are other antibiotics that may not cause that reaction
 
Last edited:
Top