Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Updates All Around

Hello friends!

I wanted to update you all on a couple of things.

First, Carmine ate a lot better when he was on his pain meds.  My friend D noticed, though, that once off the pain medication, Carmine was eating out the side of his mouth again, so we called the vet on Friday to ask her what we could do.  She suggested we put him on pain medication for a little bit longer.  Unfortunately, our vet is only open Tuesday through Friday.  However....he seems to be doing better now.  He's eating all of his dinner without any problem that I've noticed, so I'll ask the vet about it later today when I go over there.  I need to go over there anyway because Carmine only has about a week's worth of c/d kibbles left, and I always make sure to get more before he runs out.  Jewel also needs some more a/d, so it won't be a wasted trip in any case.  Plus, I get to visit the babies in the adoption center at Cat Care :)


Second, I need some suggestions, please.  Jewel refuses to eat her pills in Greenies pill pockets.  I've been trying to crush them up and put them in her wet food, but she often doesn't eat all of her dinner or breakfast, and I think if I put it in less food, she won't eat any of it at all because it will taste too medicine-y (I know, that's not a real word).  With my vision being so very limited, I'm not able to toss the pills down her throat myself, either.  When D is here, that's what he does.  Unfortunately, she's figured out how to get the pill with her tongue and spit it back out at us.  She's just too smart!!

What can I do to make sure she's getting her pills?  I thought about putting in tuna juice, but I know cats shouldn't have that very often at all, so that seems like it wouldn't be a good long-term solution.  Anyone have any ideas?

I've been fortunate that Carmine and Milita's medications and supplements have been in either powder form that I can sprinkle on their food or liquid that I can squirt in their mouths.

Sadly, I think little Jewel continues to lose weight, but I'm not completely sure.  She's so tiny that it's hard to tell these days.  I'm hoping to be able to get a baby scale soon to weigh her once a week at home between her vet visits.

So she's not left out...Milita is doing well!  She's happy as a clam right now, laying on the top of my office chair, watching me write :)

I've been sick with a sinus infection for the past three days.  Today's the first day I can breathe.  I know you all understand, but the kitties and I miss visiting all our great friends.  We'll try to come around in the next few days to say hello to everyone and get back in the swing of things again :)

17 comments:

  1. pill idea - what about crushing it and putting it in a little baby food (make sure there is no onion or garlic listed in the ingredients) and put that on a spoon for Jewel before you feed her. That way you can be sure she got all of it and I would think that would cover the taste. Paws crossed everyone starts feeling better soon

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  2. The only suggestion we have is to mix something tasty with the meds and sprinkle into the canned food, like FortiFlora or another yummy-tasting probiotic. Or use ground-up kibble for the added taste.

    Good luck...Continued purrs to all.

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  3. I can't suggest anything about pills. No first hand experience yet about that. But what i'm gonna do is purr for everyone. Purray that everyone gets well soon. =)

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  4. Our vet gets meds custom compounded in melt-away tablets so we just have to get it in our mouth and it melts immediately...and gone!

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  5. I think Brian's melt-away pills sound awesome. Is there something that Jewel absolutely can't resist, like in my case, chicken? perhaps a pill wrapped in that might work.

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  6. Brian's idea sounds pretty cool. Unfortunately, I think the best way to make certain she gets her medication is by pilling her. They do make "pillers" which are pretty nice tools to use on less than willing cats. Many vets have them available.

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  7. Brian's idea sounds excellent! I hope you can get a good result soon. Lots of hugs and purrs from Austin and me! xx

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  8. Not gonna guarantee it is easier, but you could try putting the medication on her ears, and letting it absorb that way.

    You might have to track down a compounding pharmacy, and it is a little messy, but it might be worth checking in to.

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  9. The Random Felines gave you a good idea...mixing the pill in baby food. And instead of tuna juice, you could try chicken juice...get canned chicken and drain the juice off. I LOVE chicken juice! And the mom uses the chicken for sanmiches. Sometimes she gives us a piece or two.

    Wally

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  10. hoping that you feel better soon. I am just getting over having been sick for over a week. Not fun!
    Hoping you get the answers that you need for your babies.

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  11. Mom was going to suggest the liquid. We won't take pills either. But if the medication does come in liquid, she has no solution. Best of luck getting everybody healthy. Purrs and hugs from the kitties at The Cat on My Head, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Josettte

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  12. You should check with your vet to see if they can make Jewel's meds compounded, either into something like what Brian suggested, or into a liquid/gel that can be applied to her ear. Paws crossed!

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  13. Sounds like you have your hands full. I just put the pills down the kitties throat as fast as I can.They eventually do get used to it.If you have to, scruff their neck and gently pull their head back, so the mouth comes open. Take care.

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  14. Brian's idea is perfect, or depending on what kind if medication it is, you can dissolve it in water and syringe into her mouth. Compounding pharmacies can also compound in yummy cat-friendly flavors like tuna or chicken. Hope everyone feels better soon!

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  15. Awwww hugs to sweet Carmine and lovely Jewel!! As for pilling - I'm really sorry but when my angel Ol Girl was ill and I had to pill her and she refused I took her to my vets and begged them to do this for me. I know this is of no help to you whatsoever but I was that desperate! It helped that they were only down the road from me.

    I find syringing easier - are there liquid alternatives to the pills? GOOD LUCK!!!! Take care
    x

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  16. We don't have lots of advice on pilling - only Cookie at our house has a daily supplement, which is in powder form and eaten with meals.

    Hope things go well.

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