Question: My hyperthyroid cat will not take his medication, which remains in pill kind. Can you inform me how to give a cat a pill?
My15- year-old cat has hyperthyroid, and he’s expected to take medication. I’m having significant concerns providing him the pill. I attempted to squash it in food, and now he will not even consume that food without the pill in it. I have actually attempted putting it in his mouth and holding his mouth shut, however I’m discovering tablets around your house. I have actually attempted genuine fish, chicken, and beef, however if I put the pill in it, he will not consume it. Help, I’m at a loss.
-Ann
Answer:
DearAnn,
I am so sorry that you and your cat are having to go through this. Giving a cat a pill is among the most difficult jobs that we ask owners to do. Some felines are fantastic at taking tablets, and others are an outright headache. While every cat is a little bit various, I do have a couple of techniques up my sleeve that you may be able to pursue your cat. Also, I will talk about a couple of hyperthyroid treatment options that you can talk about with your vet to see if it would be an alternative for your cat.
HowTo Give a Cat a Pill: 3 Tricks
1. Hide the Pill in a Pill Pocket
Tryingto conceal the pill in a pill pocket would be my very first recommendation. Pill pockets are soft deals with developed to form around the pill. I generally break off a little piece of the pill pocket and conceal the pill in it. One of my own felines that I medicate regularly takes his medication in this manner. Another among my felines can discover the pill in the pill pocket and will spit it out. One technique I have actually discovered is to take a little piece of the pill pocket and conceal the pill in it then press the pill pocket/medication onto a piece of dry kibble that I then position in his bowl with his other food. I can typically fool him into taking his pill in this manner.
2. Try a Pill Gun
Some individuals have luck utilizing a pill gun to administer their cat’s medications. I have actually had differing levels of success utilizing a pill weapon. This may be one alternative for your cat since it might enable you to shoot the pill back further into the mouth when administering the pill so your cat has a lower opportunity of spitting the pill out later on.
3. Blow on the Nose or Massage the Throat
If your cat appears to be spitting out the pill after attempting to administer the medication orally, he might not be swallowing it after you are providing it. Check out this You Tube video for ideas onhow to pill a cat After you position the pill in the back of the throat, carefully hold your cat’s mouth shut and massage his throat with your hand or blow carefully on the nose. You might likewise attempt following the pill with a little syringe of water. This will assist to motivate him to swallow the pill.
WhatTo Do If You Are Still Having Trouble Giving Your Cat a Pill
1. Switch To a Liquid Version of the Medication
Because some felines are so difficult to pill, lots of medications can now be intensified into a flavored liquid. If you are having excessive problem providing the pill or if it is impacting your relationship with your cat, you may ask your vet if you can change to theliquid version of the medication While it might be a little bit more pricey, it might conserve you a great deal of headaches!
2. Switch To a Transdermal Version of the Medication
Some medications can be provided transdermally or through the skin. Methimazole, the medication to reward hyperthyroidism in felines, can be given up in this manner. With this kind of the medication, you will use gloves and use the medication to the ear flaps. It will then soak up through the skin. While it might not be as efficient as the pill variation of the medication, you will likely be able to be more constant with it given that it is much easier to usage.
FinalSuggestions
Givinga cat a pill can be incredibly difficult. By utilizing a few of the techniques explained above, you might have some luck in providing the tablets. If that is not working, I advise speaking to your vet about alternative treatments to tablets. Some felines merely will not endure being medicated! Good luck with your sweet cat!
Sincerely,
AddieReinhard, DVM
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