Home Visit Vet

Fact- cats don't like medicine, even though we know it is good for them... There are many ways to approach this problem (as you will learn, while you read). As a working vet, I can share some tricks that really work.

*Warning*- I will tell you this- some cats are impossible to give pills to! If you have an aggressive cat, there are some tricks, which I will share later. BUT!- if you feel that you may be bitten, or badly scratched, please stop. And tell your vet that you just can't do it! If you are bitten, seek immediate medical attention, and get appropriate antibiotic treatment from your doctor. I mean it, this is VERY important.
So- I will go from the easiest cat, to the impossible cat.

Regardless of what sort of cat you have- if giving pills, ALWAYS give your cat a little food, or a bit of water in a syringe, straight away. Why?- because otherwise the dry pills sometimes get stuck on the way down, and may be very harmful.

1) The Easy Cat

There are several flavors of 'easy cat'- the first being the Glutton. This cat will eat anything, if it comes in a tender morsel of raw meat! It is rare that this will work for more than two or three days, in any case. Cats are intelligent, after all.
The next 'easy cat' is one that is easy to give medicine to- The first thing to do is to get your cat up on a table or bench top. What happens next is very much up to your cat, and their personality...
Oh- having two people helps! (A lot, sometimes)

I get my grip next- First, take a firm hold of the loose skin, or scruff of your cat, with your non dominant hand. I will have him positioned quite carefully, with his back side tucked in between my 'head' arm, and my body. Then grasp your cat's head- with your strongest hand holding the head, thumb holding the angle of the jaw on the side closest to your body. Hold the other side with your other fingers, spread out a little- the spot is just under the base of the ears- and just behind the corner of the eyes. You will feel a place where your fingers will just naturally 'lock in'.
When you have the head secure (your cat is sitting, or lying down on his chest while you do this). In your other hand, pick up the pill/paste of the medicine. Get it ready before you get your cat.

Now, you gently flex your cats head straight up, as if he were looking at the ceiling. Right up, gently, firmly... This is the point where a second set of hands may come in handy, especially if he starts to wave his claws
about! And as you get it right up, use the other finger to pull down the bottom jaw a little, and pop the pill right in, over the base of the tongue, hold the mouth shut, and wait for the swallow.
Then, hope... that he doesn't spit it out a minute later, all slimey, half disintegrated. The second time around, is seldom easier, as he is now fore-warned!

If you can't get your cat to take pills, please tell your vet. There are other options! You might like to try a 'Pill Popper'! These are a handy invention with a soft rubber tip to hold the pill, and a thumb operated plunger to pop it out. You then, when you gently stretch the head up, very quickly pop the rubber tip down over the back of the tongue whilst pressing the plunger...
Pastes are heaps easier- all you have to do is gently restrain (or firmly, if needed, and get the applicator between the teeth, and squeeze. They taste pretty yuck, so be prepared to be given the cold shoulder for a while. (as cats do...)
And this is an easy cat!

2) The Difficult Cat.

Ah- you know, if you have one- they are their own master, and wield their blades at will. Many a vet and vet nurse have been sent from the room to staunch their wounds. It is the rare cat that will intentionally bite, but many are pretty handy with their claws.
Giving a cat like this medication is a serious business- be careful! A towel can be a good restraint (a big one)- wrap them up tight though- tight enough that you think they can hardly breathe, is probably good enough. You will need to scruff these fellows, too. And when I say scruff, I really mean SCRUFF! For your safety, have a very, very firm grip, on a large handful of the loose skin over the back of the neck.
You may be able to do as above, but I would really advise you to get the medication in a paste form. Ask your vet. Leave him in the veterinary hospital for 3-4 days, if you really feel you can't cope.

The last resort is to treat by way of injection, even if you have to take your cat to the vet every day for a week- the vet will have a vet nurse to help, and it is a rare cat that is too wild for skilled people to restrain.

3) The Impossible Cat.

So- what do you do, if you have farm cats, strays you care for; cats that are too feral, too independent, to get a hand on, much less anything else? If the cats are hungry, mix the paste with a little food, give them only that- something strong flavored, smelly, like sardines, is good.
The only way you will get the wildest ones is to trap them. You may have to find a pest control business, or maybe a local refuge? In any case- cats like this need specialized restraint, only available in a veterinary hospital, so once you have them, take them straight to a local vet hospital, or an animal refuge.

The others? Do your best- Some of the more difficult cats will let you treat them for a couple of days, and then feel well enough that they won't let you do any more...

Good luck- and remember to always give a little food or water after each pill!