Kitten acts like he's choking when given oral meds

Hi everyone,

I started fostering kittens/cats with my local human society last year, and this website has been invaluable to me! But I have a new issue that I can't find anything about, and I'm stumped.

My kittens have some digestive issues, and we've started a new regime that includes three oral meds at night. My first two fosters didn't care for this, but put up with it. The third sort of took the first two (though there's an awful lot on his face), but the third medicine he absolutely refuses. I burritoed him, I sat on him, I tried cuddling him. He will not open his mouth for me to put the syringe thing in. On the off chance that he does he refuses to swallow.

He'll walk away and shake his head so hard the medicine flies all over. He hunches over like he's going to throw up (though didn't, or even retch). I'm not sure if it's this med specifically or if it's because it was the last one.

Tomorrow I plan on spacing the meds about half an hour. Any other ideas? 

Thanks everyone!

Hi KittenFoster and welcome to the forum !

Right off the bat (and, only if no one has already cautioned you) you must understand that cats are particularly susceptible to developing "Aspiration Pneumonia" if they inhale - breathe in - liquids.

Aspiration Pneumonia is often fatal for cats....kittens, more so.

If a cat is struggling while being orally medicated with a liquid - and, the human, too, is in a state of anxiety/frustration/distress - the opportunity for aspirating is greatly increased.

The 'golden rule' for giving an oral liquid (of any kind) is to never 'squirt' it straight down the cat's throat....rather, instill the liquid into the 'side pocket' of the mouth.

Quantity/amount is important, too. Humans take large quantities of liquids orally and swallow.......but, think about how cats drink. The largest amount of liquid a cat will take into its mouth voluntarily is the amount that 'clings' onto its tongue, which is then immediately swallowed. So, they are not accustomed to more than a few drops of liquid in the mouth at a time.

It will help if you post the name of these 3 meds.

That said, I have a feeling you'll get the best of kitten advice in the Kitten Forum....perhaps the mod will agree.