Angel Poppy - was My Poppy has cancer

[cats4ever]

Would a pill pocket work for her?

What I did with Zoe was crush the tablet and mix it with some water. Then I drew that up into a syringe and slowly squirted it into her mouth.

That was my suggestion, too. Pill pockets work for my kitties, but there is always the occasional kitty who doesn't like them, or keeps chewing until they discover the pill and then spit it out.
So the crushed pill in water is the next less stressful option.
Once the mirtazapine does its job, Poppy might be hungry enough to accept pill pockets, so give the appetite stimulant first.
The vet probably told you about the side effects of furosemide. Most likely, Poppy will drink and urinate more, but this will help to reduce the fluid.

[phesina]

Thank you, Heidi. I just now tried to give her a mirtazapine. I was able to pop the furosemide into her throat pretty smoothly this morning and hope to do as well this time. Unfortunately, I did not. Poppy managed to spit it out onto her fur. I tried to get it down again, and she fought back. After the third time I was able to, but I feel just awful inflicting that on her.

Dissolving it in water and syringe-feeding it seems may be to be the best way to go, with both pills. She isn't crazy about the syringes with the prednisolone, but nothing like this. I just hate to have done something to her like I just did.

Thanks again, Heidi and Candace, and everyone.

[phesina]

This morning I got another Furosemide down her with no trouble, poked it straight back to the back of her mouth where it went right down. Maybe the shape of that pill, sort of a little football with curved edges, helps it go down more smoothly. The Mirtazapine has slightly sharper edges, more like a little hockey puck.

I did some more shopping looking around for that Meow Mix treat.. this time another couple of Krogers, Meijer, PetSmart, Target... did not find that particular one. I did pick up a few more things, of course. Poppy ate some "Meow Mix Tender Favorite with REAL salmon & crab meat in sauce," a little cup full of food with lots of gravy that she licks right from the top of the cup.

The vet didn't really tell me anything about the Furosemide. They were in the middle of a very busy day when she returned my call, and she'd just had a euthanasia. She just agreed to get it ready for me and said it might help and it wouldn't hurt her. What are the side effects, Heidi?

Poppy does seem slightly less huge.. perhaps that's just wishful thinking on my part..

Thanks, friends, from Poppy and me and Sparkler

[cassiesmom]

This morning I got another Furosemide down her with no trouble, poked it straight back to the back of her mouth where it went right down. Maybe the shape of that pill, sort of a little football with curved edges, helps it go down more smoothly. The Mirtazapine has slightly sharper edges, more like a little hockey puck.

I did some more shopping looking around for that Meow Mix treat.. this time another couple of Krogers, Meijer, PetSmart, Target... did not find that particular one. I did pick up a few more things, of course. Poppy ate some "Meow Mix Tender Favorite with REAL salmon & crab meat in sauce," a little cup full of food with lots of gravy that she licks right from the top of the cup.

The vet didn't really tell me anything about the Furosemide. They were in the middle of a very busy day when she returned my call, and she'd just had a euthanasia. She just agreed to get it ready for me and said it might help and it wouldn't hurt her. What are the side effects, Heidi?

Poppy does seem slightly less huge.. perhaps that's just wishful thinking on my part..

Thanks, friends, from Poppy and me and Sparkler

What kind of Meow Mix treats? I will look for it around here, and put it in the mail if I find it. Good girl, Poppy for enjoying the gravy! I hope the furosemide helps. xoxoxoxoxoxoxo to you, Sparkler and meowmie

[cats4ever]

The most common side effect is dehydration. As long as Poppy eats and drinks sufficiently, she should be ok.
The drug can also cause electrolyte imbalances and kidney problems. Usually though, the benefits outweigh the risks.
Since Poppy is receiving hospice care and furosemide is used to keep her more comfortable, you shouldn't worry about the side effects too much. It's very likely that her abdomen looks less swollen, since the drug reduces the fluid.
Hugs and kisses from Heidi and the kitties.

[phesina]

Thanks, Heidi. It's "Meow Mix Irresistibles crunchy with salmon & ocean whitefish." ..."MADE WITH REAL SALMON." There's a heart-shaped window in front where you can see the treats. Each is heart-shaped, tan around the outside with a red one in the middle. This may be an older version that they don't make any longer. I've seen both crunchy and soft versions now, some with salmon and some with chicken. I got a couple, but she didn't go for them.

She might be past the point where any or it would make a difference to her.. I just offered her the last of the old ones, and she wasn't interested.

She does seem to be a bit less swollen since I've been giving her these (third day today!). I think (hope) she's drinking water. I have quite a bit around, within easy reach for her. And she gets liquid from those gravy foods.