Tramadol drops

[MrsTJOsbornee]

I was wondering has anyone any experience with giving a cat tramadol drops? She's an elderly cat and has problems in her hips to the point of she now limps quite badly.

We're not advised to give regular pain meds as she is showing something in her liver and tramadol is the best option.

My problem is that everything I am trying I cannot get them into her. I've tried tablets and drops and as they have quite a strong taste she is refusing everything.

I've mixed with water, put on a syringe into mouth, crushed up into wet food and even crushed up dry food, made a paste and baked them with the tablet inside.

Any ideas?

I remember Gerald Durrell saying most animals like aniseed flavouring, I wonder if you dripped it on her paw she’d be bothered to lick it off.

That may be an option. Didn't consider that. I'll give it a go. Thank you.

Haven't tried tramadol but with other meds, tinned fish in oil is our go-to. I would try hiding the drops in the middle of a small piece, so he doesn't have to bite into it.

That's another issue. She's on a strict diet for thyroid so can't have any food other than the prescribed stuff it's just so hard as she's stubborn.
Thank you though. Appreciate the help.

Ah ok. It might be worth a phone call to see if there is another format of the prescription food. We've only had renal food but that comes in dry, tins or pouches. If you could get her a bit of wet food that might help.

So. An update. They have suggested another drug which is an anti inflammatory or letting her go. I can see her quality of life isn't great as she mainly stays in bed now. Comes into sit with us but then just sleeps.

The problem with the new suggested meds is a blood test is showing something in her liver. They don't think it's wise to scan her as they have to sedate (she's not fond of the vets) and they think it'll be too much for her. These drugs could cause a possible underlying problem to speed up and make her even more poorly.

I don't know what to do. Do I keep trying to drugs to try and help her or let her go. I've had her since she was 7 weeks old. She's 16 now.

Sorry and thanks for any advice.

I would try hiding it in treats. You mentioned your cat is on prescribed food but surely some treats with the medicine is not as bad as no medicine at all? My cat has to take antibiotics for six weeks and she is extremely fuzzy. Hiding the pills in treats has made it extremely easy and stress-free.

Here is a picture of the hidden pills

We put our dogs pills inside a small ball of corned beef ? What foods is she allowed ?

If she can still groom herself, mix liquid meds with a little bit of her food and wipe it on her lower shins sort of area, so she'll clean it off.

She's literally allowed the prescription food. Anything else will make her poorly. We've crushed them, mixed in meds and rebaked them to look the same. She tastes it and refuses to eat.

I've tried on the foot and she just ignores it. She's being stubborn as I tell her many times. I'll keep trying.

Thanks all for the suggestions. It's helping.

Sorry to see your update. Have you asked if there is a wet version of the prescription food? Not all cats can manage dry food.

There may come a time where treating her pain is more important than anything else. Gently, I wonder if you are already there? But if not, when that time comes, then it might be the kindest thing to give her the treats with the meds in anyway, or have her PTS. When they are very ill then normal rules go out of the window.

Thanks @HoHoHolly, yep. We have the wet food and dry food. She doesn't touch it. I do wonder if the meds have a very strong smell.

My feeling is that pain relief trumps all other medical concerns, so I would be prioritising the pain meds over the thyroid issue at this stage

This

You're right. I didn't consider that to be fair. That's a good plan. I just want what's best and we all hate seeing them poorly.

Thanks all!

Sorry. I should expand. Although I read the messages it didn't dawn on me until just then that the pain trumps everything else. I appreciate the help. Gave me ideas. Many thanks.