Cat problems

Chain mail, a safety helmet and goggles perhaps?

Seriously, it's a problem I know..!

As slow release, no chance it can be ground into milk? If she drinks?

Sticking inside a piece of some tinned tuna (or even dipping in the oil from a tin of tuna) has worked for me before.

Maybe give her a couple of little cat biscusits first, then the tuna pill, then a couple more biscuits?

If this works it's also a blessing when you go away.

Other than that, from experience it's a case of:

1. Get your cat

2. Sit on your knees

3. Gently hold her in place between thighs with her facing away from you (!)

4. reach over and place left hand under chin,  thumb and middle finger either side of her jaw, gently prise jaws apart

5. right hand stick pill though miniscule gap you've opened up between her teeth

6. Try and hold her in place with mouth shut until she's swallowed it.

7. Get sticking plaster

With some cats this can take some time (who blinks first), yours sounds like one of them...

Alternatively ask the vet if there's another solution to give her her treatment, they'll be used to 'defensive' cats.

Been there, done that. Our old cat (see avatar) had the same thyroid problem. If your mog is anything like Domino, she will eventually get used to it and not fight quite so much as time goes by. Jamie's method looks good and is similar to what I used to do.

You will have to get used to it though, as your cat will suffer without the medication. You will also need to take her for regular blood tests and appreciate that the dosage may, over time, have to be increased. You may have to do it twice a day eventually...

Cheers and hope she thrives.

steve

As above with the proviso that you wrap her in a heavy towel or similar first ,I know I still have the scratches   after looking after a friends cat on medication!

Many thanks JW for a most constructive post,which i have taken on board. As for sticking the tablet in some tuna etc,no chance,she would maybe eat the tuna and just leave the tablet. More chance me having sex with the pope than that working. Considering she is a rescue moggy she is a very fussy eater haing in the past turned her nose up at prawns and smoke salmon.

Thanks

Mista h

Thanks for the reply Steve,and yes you are correct another blood test in 3 weeks. £225 so far this week and rising. Got to wait 3 weeks as our vet has just booked a holiday which i am paying for.

Mista H

Open mouth ,project tablet in,clamp mouth shut with both hands until pussy swallows. One of the welders from work give me a pair of asbestos type fairly long gloves which did protect me from harm. wrapping pussy in a towel first ,may help . Our little darling was a big muscular Siamese with a vicious temper if upset but I got away with giving him the dose of six tablets unscathed, apart from being scared that is.

Your cat needs this medication,you may need to be a bit tougher/harder. I know its scary and dangerous.

          Best of Luck

          George

It is a cat and the rules on euthanasia are not the same as for humans so after a short period of time for you to get used to the new situation take the cat to the vet and and let them put it to sleep while it lies cuddled in your arms. The cat does not know what is happening - it is in the company of the person who looks after it.

Then after a while get a new cat and wonder at the similarities and differences between all cats.

You know that the cat will have to be put down sometime in the near future so do not torture the cat for your benefit and the vets bank account.

Sorry to be so blunt but this is from experience of nearly 30 years of keeping cats.

Sorry Derek but no way. In the13 years we have had her she has cost me a small fortune,but we love her to bits. As long as she is not in any pain and has qualtity of life we carry on with the tablets.

If the time comes when she starts to suffer then i will make moves to end her pain.

JW...if you read this post a question for you please....What did you do with your cat when you went on holiday ??  A friend of mine owns a cattery but i cannot see him or anyone else taking on this job if we go away.

Mista H

Neighbour, used to cats, gave pills. Cat used to it by then, and she liked Tuna

Derek's right about one thing IMO, if you haven't already, get another cat. I've found that even the most individual of cats becomes less fierce and defensive if another cat is around...Even if they don't like each other.

Siamese though. I remember some friends who years ago had one. Blimey he was 'special'. Still makes me wince.

We have a great cattery and they were happy to give Domino her medication, she was on pills for urinary problems too, whenever we went away. No extra charges either! Just good with cats.

steve

+ 1 Mista H

steve

Once pill is popped in, hold her mouth closed nose pointing upward, then gently rub her throat as this will encourage her to swallow the pill.  A nice calming voice might help calm her.  Our guy can hold it for a while then we find the pill a little while later.

Many Thanks to ALL of you for your replies,i have read them all and its been a great help.

I am going to speak to our vet tomorrow morning,but one final question if i may.

Instead of a tablet do you know if an injection into the scruff of the neck can be given as an alternative,as that has got to be a far easier way of doing things.

Thanks again to all of you

Mista H

Missed this thread, as a small animal vet feel compelled to offer some advice. First of all, spend time discussing all options and concerns with your own vet. 

I have had success crushing Felimazole tablets in feed twice daily, OAPs managing it in milk.  also thyroidectomy very often successful. Radioactive Iodine therapy is the Gold standard treatment. 

I am sure you find a suitable avenue. 

Good luck.

I would recommend a copy of Eric Gurney's book on 'How to live with a Calculating Cat" as the topic of administering medicine is covered quite well in it.

Sincere best wishes.

SteveT

Our vet is on holiday at present(which i have paid for),but when he gets back i will discuss your 2 options. At present we are giving her,or should i say trying to give her VIDALTA 15mg tablets. Mogs(thats her name) is very clever you think you have got the tablet down her and then like last nite my other half finds one on the kitchen floor and another in the lounge.

Thanks

Mista H

Ah, old trick that one.

One of my cats, Blossom(!), was so 'clever', we once spied her spitting the remains of a worming tablet out about a whole minute after we figured it had been swallowed. What's more she did it on her brother's favourite seat, clearly in the belief we would then try and force another one down his neck instead of hers! So, we gave her another, made sure it went down. She immediately went out and ate some grass so she could sick it back up again.

Thanks to one and all for your helpful replies.

Just got her back from the vets and after tests and x rays it turns out she has got what i have(cancer). Now its weekly injections and more tablets

More advice please....how do i stop my credit card going into meltdown ?

Mista h

Now the cat's got cancer!!! This thread is better than East Ender's. What next? A cat napping?

Put the bloody thing out of it's misery. It's obviously had a long pampered 18years of life.

I can't believe there are so many sentimental cat lovers in Naim land. All this talk about 'Domino' and 'Blossom', feeding it Tuna, 'loving it too bits'........ unbelievable. I thought I'd gatecrashed the Women's Institute forum. No, I doubt they would be so bloody soft.

Don't get me wrong I respect animals. I grew up in the country. I had pet rabbits, we grew them on then had them for dinner. Delicious. When I went rough shooting or fishing I would only take what was needed for the pot and no more. I have had dogs who have been good companions but when it was there time to go I didn't get all gooey.

For God's sake it's a cat. If it's suffering put it out of it's misery. You're only keeping it alive to satisfy your own sentimentality.

I'm assuming you don't have pet insurance? That being so, you will have to pay out.

Without being quite so unfeeling as Steve J, you will have to consider the best interests of the cat. One of ours had cancer and, when it got too bad, she had to make the one way trip to the vets. It's hard, believe me, but it has to be faced.

steve

If puss is still happy enough… washing, purring, etc, and generally living life with personality, then medication to sustain life is always the better way, even if it does involve expense, after all it’s only money and this is about the life of a loved one.

But it does depend upon the cats quality of life; when puss is suffering too greatly with no hope of recovery then euthanasia is a kindness that can prevent a painfully prolonged death. This is a far far better way for a terminally ill cat to pass away.

If you are unsure you need to talk this out with your Vet, he or she can advise, and should know when it’s time to consider euthanasia.

I wish you and your puss the best outcome.

Debs

I agree with Steve.

At 18 its had a good innings, time to move on to the next level.

The only ones to decide how to progress are you and your vet.

A forum is always likely to risk ridicule, I do hope you are thick skinned Mista h.

However I think Debs has given some very useful sympathetic advice.

+1 for what David Leedham says--your cat, your money, your business.

Clyde the Above-Average Cat is pushing 13, and he already gets senior citizen jokes at the vet's. For my part, the meter stops at $999. I've discussed it with Clyde, and he's cool with it.

The best way to stop your credit card melting down is also the way that will hurt (you) the most in the short-term, but will ultimately be best for all in the long-term. The cat probably doesn't care much either way, unless it is in pain or otherwise uncomfortable (which is a distinct possibility with an 18 year-old act with cancer).

Realistically, your desire to prolong the life of an 18 year-old cat is just that, a personal desire on your part. I won't go so far as to say it is selfish - these things are emotional and complicated but you might consider whether more good would be done by donating any money you would save to an animal welfare (or other) charity.