I adopted Chula and Paul a few weeks ago. They had been raised on kibble and while Paul will eat wet food, Chula will not. Now I need a quick way to get Chula to transition to wet food as she needs meds for a stubborn UTI. I know from past experience that I can not pill a cat, so will have to crush the meds up and put them in her food. I'm assuming medicating a cat through the food is better done with wet food than dry, since it can be mixed up better, but I don't know that for a fact. However, since it seems she's prone to UTI;s, getting her off kibble and onto wet is important in and off itself.
Her first antibiotic (Orbax) was liquid but as soon as it ran out, blood began reappearing in her urine. To be honest, I had a hard time even getting this in her so am not sure she ever got the full dose. I took her back to the vet and got a prescription for Baytril, which the vet says is a stronger antibiotic. The vet tech gave Chula a couple of doses on the spot and even she had problems pilling her, so I anticipate it will be impossible for me to accomplish this. I need to get the med in the food.
In reading about switching a cat to wet food, I've come across several posts of people sprinkling toppers on the food. Fortiflora seems rather promising. Even if it just got Chula to eat the food for the course of the antibiotic, it would be a help. Can anyone give me some advice on the toppers- e.g. the ones that work best?
I also am wondering - are there any canned foods that seem to appeal to kibble eaters more than others? Mine have always eaten Friskies, and that's what I offered Chula, although the vet sent me home with some samples (Hills, I think) that neither she nor her brother Paul (who eats anything) would touch. This month I have spent so much money at the vet (and toys and supplies for the new babies) that I have to wait until next month before I can invest in trying a lot of new foods. I really need to try to make the most of the Friskies I have on stock.
Another question - I've read some people have luck treating UTIs with apple cider vinegar. Has anyone had success with this and how is it done? Are there any dangers to it?
Sorry for the length. I am just so worried about this. Although she does not seem to be in any pain, she must be in some.
Her first antibiotic (Orbax) was liquid but as soon as it ran out, blood began reappearing in her urine. To be honest, I had a hard time even getting this in her so am not sure she ever got the full dose. I took her back to the vet and got a prescription for Baytril, which the vet says is a stronger antibiotic. The vet tech gave Chula a couple of doses on the spot and even she had problems pilling her, so I anticipate it will be impossible for me to accomplish this. I need to get the med in the food.
In reading about switching a cat to wet food, I've come across several posts of people sprinkling toppers on the food. Fortiflora seems rather promising. Even if it just got Chula to eat the food for the course of the antibiotic, it would be a help. Can anyone give me some advice on the toppers- e.g. the ones that work best?
I also am wondering - are there any canned foods that seem to appeal to kibble eaters more than others? Mine have always eaten Friskies, and that's what I offered Chula, although the vet sent me home with some samples (Hills, I think) that neither she nor her brother Paul (who eats anything) would touch. This month I have spent so much money at the vet (and toys and supplies for the new babies) that I have to wait until next month before I can invest in trying a lot of new foods. I really need to try to make the most of the Friskies I have on stock.
Another question - I've read some people have luck treating UTIs with apple cider vinegar. Has anyone had success with this and how is it done? Are there any dangers to it?
Sorry for the length. I am just so worried about this. Although she does not seem to be in any pain, she must be in some.