Help who can handle kitty.

[madcatladyforever]

I don't know what to do with my 18 year old cat. I need to go away on a training course for 3 days soon and my 18 year old feral cat needs to be given pills every day.
I can do it as I've had years of experience with her nobody else can. Not the vet. Not the vet nurses, not the cat sitter I or the cat shelter.
I haven't been away for three years because of her.
I am seriously thinking of sneaking her into my hotel room!!
She goes downhill very quickly.
I don't know what to do. Last time I went to the vet the vet got badly bitten and has refused to give her any pills again.
It's not that hard it's just using the right technique but she is a known biter and people are too scared to give it a go.
I'm not going to be abless to go on the course am I?

Can the pills be given hidden in food? You can get “pill pocket” treats specifically for this, or just use cheese or pate. For very difficult fosters I have crushed the pill in something and smeared it on a paw so they lick it off, would that be possible? Is the cat approachable? If everyone is too frightened to touch her then there is no chance of getting the pill in other than hiding in food. Could is be crushed and mixed into her usual bowl of food?

Is it thyroid? Is there an alternative treatment that could go on food? I’m used to being shredded by mine but doubt you’re near me!

Make the pill look like a treat. Smear some paté around it or something else spreadable that she enjoys. Make sure it is still small enough for her to swallow it without chewing it. This always works with my cat.

I am watching this for tips! Dcat needs gabapentin twice daily and it’s getting harder and harder to give it! So far we have tried
Easypill - worked well for a few weeks, she now refuses it even without a pill
Pillpockets - same issue
Yumeyums - sometimes works but often she manages to eat around the pill.
Cheese - same issue
Lickelix - she refuses it if there’s a hint of a pill
Holding her down and forcing it in - she spits it out even if I rub her chin or blow in her face. She also refuses to come near me for a good while afterwards!
I can’t hide it in her food because she hardly ever finishes it and then dkitten cleans her bowl.
When we last left her with the cat sitter she missed a few doses because she couldn’t get them into her and she started over grooming so I can’t risk not giving it. We are away again in August. Help!!!

I had to give old girl multiple pills each day. We bought a pill popper thing. Like a syringe you put the pill in the end and shoot it down their mouth. A vet or nurse suggested putting a drop of water in and then pill. It washes the pill down. No more than a drop though!
We have also done the wrapping in a towel and wedging between your knees undignified version too.

I looked at one of those Wolfie but unfortunately the pill is too small. Thanks though!

Yes what medication is it? If thyroid as PP mentioned, theres a palatable liquid (thyronorm) or a gel that you rub on the ear (transdermal methimazole) that could be used instead, either temporarily or permanently if you get on well with it. Theres no non-tablet substitute for ACEi kidney medication (benazacare/fortekor etc). If it's some sort of tablet pain killer then you could use the IRIS kidney safe dose of Metacam liquid, which is much lower than the usual dose, as a temporary measure.

Crushing and mixing with something tasty but sticky and putting on paw or leg is a great idea PP!!! Cats are so clean they will likely lick it off even if it tastes bad!

We managed the pill popper with felimazole (sp?) which is tiny! It had a bit at the end that kind of held the pill.

I used the transdermal one for a while which is fine for me but when the catsitter did it she got savaged and won't do it again.
Pills anywhere near food or treats nope, she knows.
I can go on courses when the cat is dead - I expect she will be in the Guiness book of records for the longest lived cat knowing her