Originally Posted By goodgirl My cat Madeleine is 9 years old. She's always loved her food. So much so that she was getting kind of fat over the years. Two years ago the vet told me to cut out the evening wet food and just measure out the crunchies. Well, I did measure out the crunchies but I couldn't cut out the wet food. She drove me nuts at night if I didn't give it to her. Last December she dropped a pound. Well, since then she has taken an interest in people food. I cannot set my dinner plate on the coffe table (yeah, I eat in front of the tv--you can do that when you live alone). She will lick it clean. No dirty dishes on the counter or sink or she's up there (bad kitty!) licking them clean. Then recently I noticed: she is skin and bones! So I upped the food volumne. In a month, no change. She's even skinnier! So I took her to the vet. She has lost four pounds since last December. She has hyperthyroidism. I have a prescription for Tapazole. One teeny pill in the morning and one at night. Has anyone else dealt with this cat problem before? One of the concerns is giving her the pill. I suppose maybe I should put it in her food or something? She's usually good at wanting treats. Any suggestions or ideas? Anyone else have a kitty with this problem?
Originally Posted By Pixie Glitter Hm. I just submitted a reply to this, and the screen went white. I guess I must have been replying to the double of your thread as admin was deleting it--lol! I had a cat, Tia, who had hyperthyroidism. She was not at all happy about the idea of taking pills. She fought, she pushed my hands away, she developed the ability to hold the pill in her mouth for a freakishly long time and then spit it out on the floor after I released her. Two things worked very well for us. The first was this pill shooter deal the vet gave me. Picture a long, plastic syringe, only instead of a needle on the end, there's this little depression you put the pill in. You pry kitty's mouth open, put the pill shooter way back in her mouth, and then shoot the pill down her throat. What also worked but was far more pleasant for all involved was hiding her pill in a little ball of Velveeta cheese. Tia loved the stuff, and the cheese is squishy enough to mold around the pill so she couldn't see it at all. I imagine this would work with a variety of foods, but many cats think cheese is a huge treat, so you might try that first. Good luck!
Originally Posted By chickendumpling I had a cat, Bobby, who developed a seizure disorder after being in a terrible fight and suffering severe head trauma (the other cat nearly severed her ear). Bobby HATED taking the pills. I tried wrapping it in treats like Pixie Glitter described but Bobby would always manage to like/eat around the pill. And, also like Pixie Glitter described, Bobby would cheek her pill. Brilliant little bugger. I had to use the pill shooter. Still not a bed of roses but it was the only way. Good luck. I hope she's doing better real soon.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 You can also crush the pills. We do that with our dog Sammy's meds. Man, I'm beginning to think giving Nicia shots for diabetes is easier than getting pills down.
Originally Posted By MissCandice My Jerry had that and had to take tapazole too. I would dip the pill in canned cat food juice and shove it into the back of his throat. He liked the juice so he swallowed the pill without too much of a fuss.
Originally Posted By chickendumpling Crushing the pills is good and I hope it is an option for Madeliene's. It wasnt' an option for Bobby. Vet said her meds were time released and crushing messed that up or something like that.
Originally Posted By LuLu I hope your kitty is OK! I remember doing the push-down-the-throat thing with pills. At least with our cat, it wasn't that hard. Seems like it would be less cumbersome than using a pill shooter. But Velveeta-covered pills sounds like more fun!
Originally Posted By beamerdog I hope Madeleine is feeling better soon! Pills are so much better with a big dog, lol. Oooo. Never thought of the Velveeta trick. Do you get to lick your hands afterward?
Originally Posted By goodgirl I have one of those pill plunger things. But I think I'll save that as a last resort. There are times when I'm out of town that my sister-in-law will need to give her the pill and I want to make it easier on her. I think I'll try the velveeta trick first. Or maybe some of the soft kitty treats I have. They are tiny pills. Hopefully she won't even notice them.
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 I hope your baby responds quickly! Here is a little tip, if needed. If your cat puts up a huge fit you can try the "burrito" wrap. We had to wrap our cat in a sturdy towel, imagine a burrito wrap, with just her little head sticking out and then cradle her like an infant. We were then able to deal with just her mouth and not her swishy little dagger nails. This was also how we were able to trim her claws, one paw out at a time
Originally Posted By goodgirl I bought some velveeta cheese tonight. I made a little ball and gave it to her and she wolfed it down. So I made another one with the pill inside and she wolfed that one down too. I'll be curious to see how soon things stabalize.
Originally Posted By JenniBarra Another option is to pick up a package of Pill Pockets. (Say that ten times fast!)
Originally Posted By goodgirl OMG! JenniBarra! I was not aware of that product. So far the Velveeta cheese is working great but I think I will get some of the Pill Pockets in case it gets old.
Originally Posted By chickendumpling I'm glad to hear that the Velveeta trick is working well. Hope kitty is gettin' better.
Originally Posted By Tinkeroon We have four cats and have also had a hard time when pills need to be administered. The Velveeta trick sounds like a great idea...especially since I love Velveeta and if the cats don't take to the idea the cheese will NOT go to waste. What we tend to do is coat the pill in butter/margerine (softened) and put it as far back in the mouth as possible. It usually just slides right down and it is swallowed before they realize what is happening. Velveeta sounds tastier though. What is a Pill Pocket?
Originally Posted By goodgirl Pill Pockets are awesome (thanks to JenniBarra). I found them at my local pet food store. <a href="http://www.entirelypets.com/pillpockets.html" target="_blank">http://www.entirelypets.com/pi llpockets.html</a> Alas, I am heartbroken right now. Madeleine, an indoor cat, escaped last Wednesday and I haven't seen her since. <a href="http://www.tabbytracker.com/cat.php?id=25647" target="_blank">http://www.tabbytracker.com/ca t.php?id=25647</a> Please keep her in your prayers.
Originally Posted By debtee I'm thinking of you Theresa darling and I hope that Madeleine returns safely to you very soon!
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 I'll be sending Madeleine "go home little girl" thoughts. Hugs for you goodgirl.
Originally Posted By MissCandice Oh no! I hope she comes back soon. My sister's cat (Spaz) escaped last week and is home safe.
