tips on oral syringe?

Hi, all.

One of my kitties is on antibiotics that I need to administer with an oral syringe (not a dropper). He gets VERY squirmy, as I try to hold him and give him the medicine.

Do any of you have any tips on the best way to keep a cat still while doing this?

Thanks!

-- Michele

I had to give Sophie some when she was 6 months and this is the only way that i could do it.

I knelt behind her with my knees slightly apart so she fitted in, gently put my hand around her mouth to slightly open it, put the tip of the syringe in the side of her mouth and squeezed it in

Originally Posted by rosiemac

I had to give Sophie some when she was 6 months and this is the only way that i could do it.

I knelt behind her with my knees slightly apart so she fitted in, gently put my hand around her mouth to slightly open it, put the tip of the syringe in the side of her mouth and squeezed it in

Click to expand...

That's the way I do it too.

I also did it the same way as the other posters. When you gently lift your cat's lip up, there is a space between the side teeth, you insert the tip there and push the plunger. It really helps if you can have someone by you to hold the syringe as you get your cat in position.

Good luck,
Jill

thanks, all! I can't wait until this medication is finished!

Yup, that's how I used to do it at the shelter when new kitties came in (and that's the position I hold Oliver in when I apply new nail caps or if he has a URI and needs to be pilled, lol)... getting someone to help, if possible, will make it easier as well.... you could also wrap your kitty snugly in a towel to keep her legs under control if she's still squirming in your legs... again, having another person would help - one to hold and one to administer... I hope she's not on these meds too long for both your sakes! Administering meds is always stressful for kitty and owner!

If the above doesn't work becuae the cat is wriggling, then what you can do is gently hold the scruff of the neck and lift until only the hind legs are on the table. Then the cat is helpless, but not usually distressed, and it is easy to insert the syringe in the side of the mouth with the other hand.