zkatt
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posted on February 12, 2001 06:44:35 AM new
My poor kitty is on antibiotics for another week yet. Does anyone have any suggestions on an easy way to get a cat to take pills????
She has to take 4 a day. The first few days weren't bad but now its just one big fight.
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nanastuff
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posted on February 12, 2001 07:00:51 AM new
Does your kitty eat wet or dry food? Are the pills crushable? My cat normally eats dry food (for seniors lol), but he loves a treat of canned food, or even a small taste of regular old tuna fish. Try mixing the pill with some of that, but just a little if it is four times a day. Add some of the juice too which covers the taste of the pills.
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SilkMoth
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posted on February 12, 2001 07:13:36 AM new
Sometimes coating the pill with unsalted butter will help - it both masks the taste and helps the pill slide down more easily. (Salted butter puts a strain on the cat's kidneys and so isn't a good thing to use.)
If all else fails, ask your vet if the antibiotic is available in liquid form.
My beloved cat died of feline AIDS several years ago. He had so many medications to take that we found that liquids were the only way to get them into him on a predictable basis. He didn't seem to mind swallowing the drops but seriously balked at pills.
--------
not SilkMoth anywhere but here
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mapledr1216
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posted on February 12, 2001 07:22:38 AM new
zkatt, I don't know if you've tried it yet, but it used to help if I put some butter on the pill first. I guess it made it tastier and helped it slide down!
Also, it helps if the cat is on a table or counter. It seems to be easier to hold on to them and they're not as likely to try to get away as when they're on the floor.
I always had our cat sitting down and I stood behind her and kind of pinned her with my left arm while I used my left hand to keep her mouth open and then threw the pill down her throat as far back as I could. Even still, sometimes she would spit it out! I know how frustrating it can be.
Also, there are liquid antibiotics which I think are easier to give. You use a plastic hypodermic like plunger that measures the proper amount. Then you just kind of stick the plunger in the side of their mouth and squirt. The local pharmacy will even flavor the liquid antibiotic with flavorings just like they do for kids!
Before our Miss Kitty passed away last year, I was giving her insulin shots daily plus intraveneously(sp?) giving her fluids under her skin three times a week, so I know it's not much fun to take care of a sick kitty.
GOOD LUCK!
Edited to add, I was still typing while SilkMoth was posting!
[ edited by mapledr1216 on Feb 12, 2001 07:24 AM ]
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krs
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posted on February 12, 2001 07:30:54 AM new
immobilize the cat by a firm grasp on the scruff of it's neck. Use the other hand to force it's mouth wide open and push the pill down it's throat past the point where it can do anything other than swallow. It's easy.
I hate cats.
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zkatt
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posted on February 12, 2001 07:40:08 AM new
I'll try the butter trick. I tried crushing it up in her food...she took one bite and she wasn't having anymore!
My sympathies to silkmoth and mapledr for youe losses.....I can't imagine my 4 furballs not being with me.
krs....You shouldn't hate anything--How can you dislike cats..they are so sweet.
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snowyegret
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posted on February 12, 2001 07:41:20 AM new
cats are born republicans 
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krs
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posted on February 12, 2001 07:57:50 AM new
If they could, they'd rip out your throat.
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zilvy
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posted on February 12, 2001 08:00:53 AM new
Try handling, or picking up your kitty in between doses of medicine...that way she will not resist so much when it is medicine time. I also stroke the throat a little before opening the mouth and pushing the pill
down. Lots of praise and petting before and after help to relax them. I
I have a diabetic cat, insulin twice a day,
one pill a day, & a vitamin pill which, thankfully, is a chewy. He seems to think that one is a treat. We also just lost a dear little 20 year old that had been on subcutaneous injected fluids for 6 years.
KRS The thread did say Cat "Lovers" help!! You need a "Cat nap"!!
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zkatt
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posted on February 12, 2001 08:10:55 AM new
I give her lots of praise through the entire ordeal....then she expects treats after each pill. No problem--I'll give her the treats if she'll JUST take the pills!!
I had trouble getting the liquid form in her also....I wore more than she got in her.
I hope the vet doesn't put her on another two weeks of this for her sake and mine. He said she needed to lose a few pounds which is going to be hard to do with all these extra treats.
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helnjoe
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posted on February 12, 2001 08:26:44 AM new
I would kneel on the floor, back up Jonsie between my knees for a good grip, then with my left hand I would open his mouth and pop the pill in with my right. Hold his mouth closed for a few seconds and rub his throat. Then he would spit the pill right out and we would start all over again. 
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toke
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posted on February 12, 2001 08:27:40 AM new
If you need to be forceful, take your thumb and forefinger at the midpoint of her mouth (where there are no teeth)...against her lips...pushing them in and holding her mouth open. She can't bite down...it would hurt where she does have teeth. Then with your other forefinger you shove the pill as far back in her throat as you can...pull your thumb and forefinger away and hold her mouth closed, stroking her throat until she swallows.
It's never pleasant, but this works. After all, it's for her own good I don't think you'll be able to trick her now...she knows what you're up to!
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zkatt
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posted on February 12, 2001 08:43:19 AM new
True, True.......I accidently touched one of those razor sharp teeth this morning when she jerked her head.
I try not to be to rough with her afterall she is my baby.
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toke
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posted on February 12, 2001 08:47:20 AM new
I prefer not to think of this as rough...just *firm*...LOL! You're just completely restricting her movements rather than having a wrestling match. Plus, it's faster, so she won't get so upset.
I hate giving pills to a cat, but heaven knows I've done it. Dogs are easier...you can fake 'em out 
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chococake
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posted on February 12, 2001 08:47:28 AM new
All good suggestions. Cats are the worse to pill. Liquid is best, but not all antibiotics come in liquid form.
The between the knees is the best way. You can also wrap her in a towel for more control, or have someone else hold while you pill.
If all else fails and you're able to give shots ask your vet for an injectable. Usually given twice a day.
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toomanycomics
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posted on February 12, 2001 08:58:48 AM new
when the pills are in capsules, I take them apart and put them in the favorite food.
when the pills are solid, I crush them and put it in the food.
putting the cat between the knees and holding the cat firmly is not a bad approach either(no roughness or the cat will not trust you ever again and I'm NOT kidding). Praise and play with the cat everytime the cat takes the pill.
krs's rough approach is not the answer.
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Zazzie
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posted on February 12, 2001 09:06:28 AM new
Instructions on How to Pill a Cat
1.Grasp cat firmly in your arms. Cradle its head on your elbow, just as if you were
giving a baby a bottle. Coo confidently, "That's a nice kitty." Drop the pill in its
mouth.
2.Retrieve cat from top of lamp & pill from under sofa.
3.Follow same procedure as in 1, but hold cats front paws down with left hand &
back paws down with elbow of right arm. Poke pill into its mouth with right
forefinger.
4.Retrieve cat from under bed. Get new pill from bottle (resist impulse to get new
cat).
5.Again proceed as in 1 except when you have cat firmly cradled in bottle feeding
position, sit on edge of chair, fold your torso over cat, bring your right hand over
your left elbow, open cats mouth by lifting the upper jaw & pop pill in quickly! Since
your head is down by your knees, you won't be able to see what you are doing.
That's just as well
6.Leave cat hanging on drapes. Leave pill in your hair.
7.If you're a woman, have a good cry. If you're a man, have a good cry.
8.Now pull yourself together. Who's the boss here anyway? Retrieve cat & pill.
Assuming position 1, say sternly, "Who's the boss here anyway?" Open cats
mouth, take pill &....Oops!
9.This isn't working, is it? Collapse & think. Aha! Those flashing slashing claws are causing the chaos here, aren't they?
10.Crawl to the linen closet licking your wounds. Drag back a large beach towel.
Spread the towel on the floor.
11.Retrieve cat from kitchen counter & pill from potted plant.
12.Spread cat on towel near one end with its head over long edge.
13.Flatten cats front & back legs over its stomach (resist impulse to flatten cat).
14.Roll cat in towel. Work fast; time & tabbies wait for no man - or woman!
15.Resume position 1. Rotate your left hand to cat's head. Press its mouth at the jaw
hinges like opening the petals of a snapdragon.
16.Drop it into cats mouth & poke gently. Voila! its done!
17.Vacuum up loose fur (the cat's). Apply bandages to wounds (yours).
18.Take two aspirins & lie down.
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helnjoe
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posted on February 12, 2001 09:38:05 AM new
Zazzie, You said it all. No lying! I did the towel thing to cut my cat's nails. I had a closet full of shredded towels. Cats are the most wonderful creatures.
My poor Jonsie had to have his who-who cut off beacause he had FUD and they just couldn't open him up enough to let urine pass. After his surgery he had one of those big collars around his neck and when I came home from work one day I found him on top of a 7" hutch! They never cease to amaze me.
Edited for spelling, I think.
[ edited by helnjoe on Feb 12, 2001 09:39 AM ]
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saabsister
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posted on February 12, 2001 09:49:34 AM new
Zazzie  We've probably all had experiences like that with our cats. Too funny!
I usually do what toke has suggested. Over the years I've given so many pills to cats that I've found it better not to give the cat too many options. I put the pill on the bathroom counter, bring in the cat,use toke's method, and we're done in under 5 seconds usually. After I make sure the pill isn't going to be sneakily spit out, I praise the cat and turn it loose. Occasionally I'll have to have my husband hold the cat - after it's gotten the taste of a bitter pill and has decided to revolt.
I've found pills in food not to work. My cats leave half or most of the food so they never get the proper dosage. And liquids seem to be made for spraying all over the bathroom wall in my cats' opinions. I just have to do the tough love routine. So far they always forgive me.
,
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Glenda
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posted on February 12, 2001 10:01:49 AM new
You can get a "pill shooter" from the vet's office, probably. Basically, it's a plastic tube with a plunger - you put the pill in one end, put the tube in the cat's mouth so the opening/pill is near the back of the tongue, and depress the plunger. (You don't actually "shoot" the pill in with any force; the plastic tube acts as a positioning guide and finger guard.)
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rawbunzel
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posted on February 12, 2001 10:06:13 AM new
My cats have never taken a pill with food. I do have a method that I use as a last resort. I smash the pill and get some Nutri-Stat [it's like petromalt but is a food supplement] and mix the pill into a little bit of the nutri-stat.Makes a sticky mass.Some cats like it and will eat if off your finger but if they won't then you can rub it on their paw and they have to lick it off.[you have to rub it in good or they throw it accross the room]
Usually I just use Tokes method.
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zkatt
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posted on February 12, 2001 10:12:18 AM new
I've been putting her between my knees otherwise I'd never hold on to this gal(she does NOT like being held at all). I also have the pill shooter. She has taken to lockjaw and digging her claws in my leg.
Zazzie....that's too funny!!!
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Meya
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posted on February 12, 2001 10:37:56 AM new
We had one of those Pill Shooter gadgets that Glenda mentioned. We had to give Ranger asthma meds each day before the asthma won the battle. 
He was large, about 18 pounds, so the way I handled him might not work with a smaller cat.
I would put the pill in the end of the Pill Pusher and lay it on the floor. Then, I would get Ranger and actually straddle him, keeping my feet together so he couldn't back out. I "sat" on him this way, using my left hand to grab his mouth from underneath, pinching sort of behind his fangs which forced his mouth open. Then, in went the end of the pill pusher, quickly to the back of the mouth, depress the plunger, shut his mouth and hold it shut until he swallowed. If you get the pill behind this tongue and keep his mouth closed he won't be able to work the pill forward and spit it out. Stroke his throat or tap his nose to "force" the swallow reflex. All this only took about 3 seconds.
Ranger got to where he didn't fight much, but he also was getting weaker as the asthma weakened his heart. I was the only one who could manage this easily, hubby just couldn't do it. I don't know what we would do if we had to medicate Stormie Girl. It take valium just to get her in the carrier and to the vet. She totally freaks out when anyone tries to pick her up for any reason.
Good luck...
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krs
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posted on February 12, 2001 12:37:34 PM new
You can get a "cat shooter" from a gunshop and never have to deal with it again.
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zilvy
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posted on February 12, 2001 01:11:12 PM new
your initials sound like "curse" You are soooooooo sweet "curse"!!!
[ edited by zilvy on Feb 19, 2001 08:48 PM ]
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