poorly kitty

[taldragon]

one of my cats has recently been diagnosed with a heart condition which will require life-long medication.

has anyone else had a cat/pet that required daily medication? got any advice/tips/stories? any useful hints to help Tilly take her meds?

Comments

[perfectviolet]

Whiskas Brand "Tender Moments" cat treats saved my cat's life. Seriously.

They're soft enough that they can be smooshed around a pill, and they are VERY smelly treats - which means kitty can't smell the pill. I'd give that a shot.

You also may want to find out if the medication is available in a liquid. If so, then problem solved. Liquid meds are VERY easy to give to even the pickiest cat.

[taldragon]

thank you for your reply!

liquid meds would be ideal, but i think we'll be given tablets (not entirely sure - my partner's going to talk to the hospital about Tilly's medication regime today).

i'll definitely get some Tender Moments treats, and see how it goes - hopefully she'll looooooooooooooooooove them and that would make life easy :)

[juliette666]

Pill Pockets!

[taldragon]

that's really clever! thank you.

[skyeyes9]

I've had one cat with kidney failure, and one with diabetes (required insulin shots). You love them so you do what you can for them.

Some cats are hard to medicate; some get used to it and actually come to associate getting their meds with feeling better. Try giving your cat pills by crouching on the floor with the cat between your legs (cross your ankles so she can't go backwards) and then *GENTLY* pry open her mouth and poke the pill down her throat. If that's too much for you or your cat, crush the pill and stir it into chicken/lamb/turkey baby food, then use a demitasse spoon and spoon it into her mouth little bit by little bit. (I also had a cat stop eating and come down with hepatic lipidosis; I had to gently force-feed her 4 times a day for 7 weeks until she began eating by herself again. The trick is to be patient and gentle and go slowly.)

Good luck with your sick kitty.

[taldragon]

thanks for this - we've been giving her tablets for about a year now, so she's used to it.

Tilly doesnt like treats (in general, i havent found any she'll eat!) but she seems to have figured out that if she doesnt resist, it's all over in 3 min. so she will let us pry her mouth open and drop the pill down her throat.

(luckily. our other cat isnt used to taking tablets, and makes an almighty fuss when she has to take any)