Suggestions for giving liquid meds?

My cat, Maui, had an eye removed yesterday because of iris melanoma.  He was sent home with 2 liquid meds to be given orally.  He HATES it!  I've even tried wrapping him up in a towel (the "kitty burrito")  but he fights so hard and strains his neck so much I'm afraid to hold his head for fear of damaging his stitches.  Any advice?  The vet said his meds are not available as injection, so we need to get him to take it from the oral syringe. 

Thanks!

(Here is a link to his Facebook page also, if anyone wants to follow his one-eyed progress.    He's Maui Popoki )

https://www.facebook.com/MauiPopoki?ref=tn_tnmn

Is he wearing a plastic collar? If no9t get him one and it is much easier to hold his head and get him to take the meds. And you won't get scratched!

No collar, but I suspect he'd fight that too.  I was able to get his pain meds in him without too much of a battle today, and a good portion of his antibiotics.   If it keeps up, I will try a collar.  Thank you!

MissLori said:

 
My cat, Maui, had an eye removed yesterday because of iris melanoma.  He was sent home with 2 liquid meds to be given orally.  He HATES it!  I've even tried wrapping him up in a towel (the "kitty burrito")  but he fights so hard and strains his neck so much I'm afraid to hold his head for fear of damaging his stitches.  Any advice?  The vet said his meds are not available as injection, so we need to get him to take it from the oral syringe. 

Thanks!

(Here is a link to his Facebook page also, if anyone wants to follow his one-eyed progress.    He's Maui Popoki )

https://www.facebook.com/MauiPopoki?ref=tn_tnmn

Click to expand...

Can you tell us exactly what the meds are, by name?

If possible, it really does help to wait until they're deeply asleep and creep up on them. Usually, you can get it done before the struggling becomes impossible. I always took a little of my cat's favourite treat with me, and would treat as soon as I'd finished. That way, they start to associate the meds with something positive and get more tolerant of the process.

The other way is to kneel down and snuggle their body between your legs. Then use one hand to restrain their chest and push up their head and the other to slowly administer the meds. If you go too fast, or are aimed right at the back of the throat, you risk choking the cat, and so they will struggle more. Bit by bit is the key - max 1ml at a time.

MissLori said:

 
My cat, Maui, had an eye removed yesterday because of iris melanoma.  He was sent home with 2 liquid meds to be given orally.  He HATES it!  I've even tried wrapping him up in a towel (the "kitty burrito")  but he fights so hard and strains his neck so much I'm afraid to hold his head for fear of damaging his stitches.  Any advice?  The vet said his meds are not available as injection, so we need to get him to take it from the oral syringe. 

Thanks!

(Here is a link to his Facebook page also, if anyone wants to follow his one-eyed progress.    He's Maui Popoki )

https://www.facebook.com/MauiPopoki?ref=tn_tnmn

Click to expand...

are they available in any other form? tablets, etc.?

The last time we gave him his meds, we did as Columbine suggested, and tried it while he was waking up from snoozing.  He's not fighting as hard, so maybe he's resigned himself to what's going on.  I appreciate the suggestions.  He's definitely seeming like he feels a bit better today.

I'm glad it's getting easier. Hope he heals quickly

Does your cat like canned food? If so, take some canned food and mix one dose of medicine into it. Gravy or seafood based foods usually work well. Then let your cat eat it. Sprinke a topper on the food if needed (crushed up freeze dried treat, FortiFlora, etc). If your cat won't eat it, try some pate canned food mixed with water and one dose of medicine and syringing the mixture into the cat's mouth.