Need advice on medicating and staying friends!

Well, Bella had a check-up on Friday morning, and overall she's doing well. There was some, ahem, "discussion" as to her means of transport and our departure time, but the gash in my wrist should heal in a few days. I washed it while I was waiting for the vet and aside from being on a very tender spot it looks good.
I took her to the vet who did her tooth extraction last month, so I would have some referential evidence. She's gained some weight which for her slight frame was very good. All but one of her extractions have healed very well, but one in her upper gum is still open. The vet says it looks OK, but if it hasn't healed closed by now it won't, and we may need to have another stitch put in.
My main concern was her ears, which I thought were infested with mites. Good news, no mites, bad news, one nasty bacterial infection!!!! ( ) Even worse news, I have to put antibiotic ointment in her ears twice a day for the next 14 days, and she still won't let me get close enough to pet unless I'm in the kitchen in close proximity to the food dish. The minute she smells an ambush, all claws come out (dulled, thankfully, due to a trim from the vet ) and the chase is on. HOW do I calm her down, convince her I'm not going to kill her, and get the drops in without her hating me forever?????

Try doing what needs to be done before mealtimes.

I'm lucky that the kitties I live with are much kinder to us about that sort of thing, though. So I don't have much past experience to speak from.

Probably the best and safest way is to put her in a small room like the bathroom prior to medicating her. Have on several long sleeve shirts, and use a thick towel to wrap her up. Put her up on the sink, it will make her feel more secure, and then just put the ointment in. Rub her ears gently, feed her a treat and release her.



Good luck- don't be surprised if when she sees you coming she runs, so make sure your bedroom door is shut so she can't dive under the bed or dresser.

Rica Lynn good luck with this. Poor kittie, and poor you. Wrap up well beforehand.

Hissy,
Thanks for the pointers!! I've already got the sweatshirts laid out for this evening's dose (though it's 80 degrees here, so I do hope she doesn't put up too much of a fight ). Am I correct in thinking it would be better NOT to put her in the bathroom with the litterbox, as the stress might cause some aversion? I think I can get my master bath closed off enough to contain her for this purpose, but the downstairs bath is closer to the feed station and has the litterbox in it.

Well, wish me luck. Sweatshirt(s), treats, comfy towel and oh, yeah, the drops. Though when I came home this afternoon, she greeted me as usual, so maybe she's figured out that I'm making her ears better and not trying to hurt her. If you haven't heard from me in a few days, it's because my hands are hamburger!!!

Originally Posted by RicaLynn

... HOW do I calm her down, convince her I'm not going to kill her, and get the drops in without her hating me forever?????

Click to expand...

Rescue Remedy, A Bach flower essence combination, can help reduce trauma, stress, and shock, whether emotional, mental, or physical. Our holistic vet -- who specializes in Bach flower essences -- recommended this for one of our cats, Sully, and it has helped tremendously. Just Goggleing on 'rescue remedy' comes up with a lot of links for info. Here's one for example: http://www.rainbowcrystal.com/bach/floweran.html

When I had to medicate a cat many years ago- she was a little wild so we had to wrap her in a towell. She didn't hold a grudge afterwards.
I have to medicate one of my cats regularly- I think the 'no food until its done' approach - has helped a lot.
I know with claw trimming that handling her paws a lot in between helped- will Bella let you touch her ears?
I think they do realise eventually that what you are doing makes them feel better
good luck
Catherine

Thanks to everyone for all your advice!! Bella's finally realized that I'm helping, not hurting, and last night everything went great. I picked her up for a snuggle, carried her into the bathroom and closed the door, put her down on the counter and she "took it like a man" She growled a bit when I started rubbing her ears (gently, she was just displeased w/the indignity of it all), but she did give me a head-butt before she took off thru the opened door.
Everything was great until she circled around my feet in the kitchen and I stepped back and onto her foot!!! big yowl, mad dash for a dark corner and lots of pitiful mewing for ten minutes or so. I was of course concerned to see what damage I'd done, but she wouldn't let me get close. Fifteen minutes later, though, and she was out and about, running upstairs and down and doesn't appear to be favoring anything (she was of course behind me, so I didn't see which foot I trampled). We'll see when I get home this evening if that holds true.

Originally posted by RicaLynn
There was some, ahem, "discussion" as to her means of transport and our departure time, but the gash in my wrist should heal in a few days.

Click to expand...

When I have to take my cat Snowball to the vet, I stand the carrier on end with the door open. Then I pick up Snowball, quickly place him in the carrier back feet first, and close and lock the carrier as fast as I can. And it works! There's no "discussion" about where Snowball will be going, and I haven't gotten scratched or bitten doing it this way yet!