Greetings from Mr. Romeo on another fine Feline Friday.
Romeo’s been on medical watch this week after I found a puncture wound just at the base of his ear that was forming an abscess, obviously the result of a recent cat fight. I did my best to clean the area, then started him on antibiotics, and managed to get it under control without a vet visit.
But as a result, I’m being more careful about keeping him in at night. It’s during those long nights that he seems to get himself into trouble. More wandering by other cats at night, I suspect. Doing the cat head count just before we go to bed can lead to errors, like the night Ms. Annie got stuck outside. But mostly it has worked, and mostly Romeo is recovered.
Wally’s okay as long as I can get that 1/4 of a pill down her. It’s an appetite stimulant that really works. But I have to cut the pill up, so it is already crumbling as I try to stuff it into her. I’ve got about a 50-50 record with Wally. She’s one of the best at shooting that pill out and acting like I’m poisoning her. But when it gets down, she eats. So it’s worth the fight.
Duke was sound asleep in a spot with little light this morning when I was running around with a camera gathering my Feline Friday quota, so he’s not represented in today’s photo gallery.
No worries. I’ll be sure to roust him next week.
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For ms wally – Pill pockets are the trick. When you break up each pill wrap 1/4 of a pill pocket around each piece. keep in the refrigerator to avoid melting. It’s easier to make a pill pocket stick in their mouth and the first taste is not the bitter Valium.
Thanks, Martha.
So tell me more about this technique.
I haven’t used pill pockets because I thought the idea is that the cats are supposed to eat them like a treat, but they get the hidden pill inside.
And Wally, with little appetite, isn’t interested in the loaded pill pockets, or empty ones, for that matter.
But you’re suggesting using a piece of a pill, wrapping it in a piece of the pill pocket, and then trying to give that as a pill?
Isn’t it a bigger target for her to spit out?
Anyway, I’m interested, just not sure I’ve totally got the idea.
-Ian
We agree with Martha. We use part of a Pill Pocket (as much of it as necessary) to coat the pill and then give that combo as the pill. Yes, we still have to thrust it as far back as possible onto the rascal’s tongue to induce him/her to swallow. The PP is just being used to coat/disguise the pill.
I am really glad that you are having good luck with jb’s technique!
By the way, there are quite a few youtube videos about pilling cats.
What a nice photo of Ms. Harriet, with her eyes on the prize.
I don’t know why I never thought to offer a tip in pill giving. We used a simple technique…it was suggested to us to put a dab of hairball stuff OR vasoline on our finger, take the pill, or portion of, and just stick it there, open the mouth and push as far back on the tongue as possible…even farther than that…lol. We had about a 90% success rate even with fighters.
I’ve tried this technique before with whole pills, but it has never worked for me. The pills are too big to just pop down without getting put directly into the back of the mouth, but the sticky mess isn’t easily to handle. But with the partial pill, it worked like a charm!! It went down on the first try yesterday. I thank you, and Ms. Wally thanks you.
Great photo of Ms. Wally reaching for her cat toy. Hope it makes it to a calendar.
Try this method. Put pill in one hand, grab cat’s head with your other hand like you are tossing a two seam fastball. Tilt cat’s head back, will automatically open wide. Toss in pill. Seal mouth.Wet sides of mouth with water , to mimic swallowing action…result : no spitting of pills. Works everytime. Guaranteed or your money back. No cat hurt and no scratches for you. Best wishes. Aloha.