Need some advice....

I'm so glad I was able to find this site tonight. I'm a little bit worked up...let me give you some background on my question. I'm so sorry if I ramble.
I have two cats, an orange tabby named Albert and a tortie named Cleo. We lived in Colorado until a month ago, when my husband got out of the Army and we moved back to my homestate of Oklahoma. A couple of weeks ago, we noticed that Cleo had a little blood in her stool, so we took her to their new vet, who saw no sign of intestinal parasites, gave her some meds, and sent us on our way. Then about a week later, Albert started having blood in his stool as well. We took in a stool sample, she told us there was no sign of internal parasites, gave us two kinds of meds, a pill and a paste (the paste was for Cleo too) and sent us on our way.
Cleo's a trooper. She'll take pills and then look at you as if to say, "Pssht! THAT'S all you've got?!?". Albert is POLAR opposite of that. He actually bit my husband when he and the vet were trying to administer the first dose of his meds, which is completely out of character for him. We tried for days to get him to take his meds like he needed to, but ended up wasting more pills each time we tried. After the third day and the sixth pill, we had to give up. He dealt with the paste, though.
My concern is that tonight I found bloody stool right after he went to the restroom. He's making no attempt to bury it. He's been very needy these last couple of days, and I'm worried about it. I intend to take him back to the vet to see if they have a shot that they could maybe give, but....
Our last vet, in Colorado, was GREAT. We all loved her, and Albert had no problem taking pills from her. She would sit in the floor and play with them before she did an exam, and really worked hard to gain their trust. Their new vet is really professional, and likes to just get down to business. I'm wondering if part of his not taking pills has to do with his vet change? Should I try someone new? We only take our babies to cats only clinics, and there aren't very many of those around here. Any input you all have is greatly appreciated. I'll do anything to keep my babies happy; it truly breaks my heart to see him like this.

Is this the only vet in the area? Unless the cat is a feral cat, it shouldn't take two people to pill him- especially if one of those people is a veterinarian. Mine just slides the pills into my cat's mouth, strokes their throat and it is done.

No, she's not the only vet in the area, she's just the first that we've tried since we moved back. I thought it was odd too that she couldn't administer the meds, especially since my husband was handling Albert and all she had to do was open his mouth. After four or so tries, I said we'd get him home and administer it ourselves.
She mentioned Coccidia when she gave his meds to us....and I was trying to figure out why she gave two different types of meds: pills and a two week, once a week paste. One was to treat it, but the other was for both the cats to.....treat it too??
I'm so confused.

Oh, and Albert is far from a feral cat. He's been my baby boy since I found him on my neighbor's roof when he was two months old.

That was my point. If you know what you are doing, you don't need two people to pill a cat (usually).

I know with the kittens I have had here with Coccida they get amprolium (pill) for x- amount of days depending on their weight and age. I have never been given two different meds for Coccidia- so I can't help you there.

You can get your meds compounded into a special paste that you can rub on the ears. But only certain meds can be set up this way.

There is also this product

http://pets.flavorx.com/

I don't know exactly what Coccidia is....is it highly contagious? Will we have to treat Cleo for it AGAIN? I just want my kids to be well.

I would suggest another opinion. I am sorry if I sound mean but it sounds to me like the current vet doesnt know what they are doing. I agree with Hissy, the vet should have been able to administer the pill(s) without incident, especially if the kitty is not wild or ferel. I hope they get better REALLY REALLY soon. You must be a wreck with two sick babies on your hand. Take it easy give them lots of extra cuddle time!

I would also try a different vet.

I know how difficult it must be, having just moved and having 2 sick kitties! I'm sorry I don't have any advise, but I do hope your babies get well soon.

Juli

Do you have a "pill-er"? A thing that helps you put the pill in his mouth? Most vets have them.

Yes, this vet gave us a piller when she tried to use it unsuccessfully. *rolls eyes* I don't know. Chichismom, you didn't sound mean at all. I thought of that as well, but I'm so overprotective that I thought I might have just been overreacting. I'm glad you all agree that I should get a second opinion. That's exactly what I'll do. The first thing that tipped me of that Albert didn't much care for his new vet is the way that he acted with her. He's never, EVER growled at a person, and he certainly wouldn't scream and struggle with my husband like that before. I could tell that the vet's patience was wearing thin too, because she got very....sportsman-like, almost. I don't know. I feel bad that she didn't work out, because she kept finches in the office and had those huge scratching posts that preoccupied the kitties, but having her as the vet just isn't worth it.

Gosh... I didn't realize that giving pills is supposed to be a one-person operation with a high success rate. Even with two people, a bathtowel, some Laxatone for lubrication, and some bacon for bribery, we only succeed about half the time!

I've read the methods recommended here on the site... but no matter what we do, our kitties spit the pills right back out. And we no longer even THINK about clipping their claws ourselves! Any idea what we're doing wrong?

to TCS. Here's some information about coccidia for you:
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/coccidia.html

Thank you so much for the link, Jcat. Very helpful.
I'm going to call the vet and see if there's any kind of shot or something that they can give him. We shall see.....

Can you call your previous vet and ask if she can recommend a vet in your area?

Originally Posted by CarolPetunia

Gosh... I didn't realize that giving pills is supposed to be a one-person operation with a high success rate. Even with two people, a bathtowel, some Laxatone for lubrication, and some bacon for bribery, we only succeed about half the time!

I've read the methods recommended here on the site... but no matter what we do, our kitties spit the pills right back out. And we no longer even THINK about clipping their claws ourselves! Any idea what we're doing wrong?

Click to expand...

Everything apparently! I'm sorry, I'm not poking fun at you - it just sounded funny.

For those of us who have done the pilling and claw clipping over the years, it seems very easy but for someone who hasn't and is unsure, it is truly difficult and as with most things - practice makes perfect.

Originally Posted by jamasmom

Can you call your previous vet and ask if she can recommend a vet in your area?

Click to expand...

Since she's in Colorado, she doesn't know anyone here personally enough to give a real recommendation.
I called the (new) vet and told the receptionist what happened. When the vet called me back, she said, "Well, I have a liquid that's specifically to eliminate coccidia, and it doesn't taste bad at all....."

Umm........is it just me, or could she have saved me a LOT of heartache by, oh, I don't know, giving me the prescription that would get rid of the coccidia and doesn't taste like complete bitterness the FIRST time!?!?!??!

Albert takes it easier, however he is a dramatic kitty. Nothing like it was though. And I know he's being dramatic because Cleo licked up some that had spilled and tried to get in the bottle for more. Too funny.