what do i do with ozzy now?? help!!

[marysmerrycats]

heres a pic

you can buy it at petsmart, or probably any pet store or at a vets . it has a phermone in it that calms them down. it has helped with Callie's peeing problem, and it has helped Charlie and Louise a little too, they are so nervous.. it is used for many reasons.

[marysmerrycats]

one more pic

[ozzlou]

oh wow...
that seems like its worth a try!
when i get paid- i'll go get one...
thanks for the pictures- you must know me...(i work better with visual aids )

you are a big help- thank you so much!!!
tara

[marysmerrycats]

you must know me...(i work better with visual aids

I know how I AM lol... I would be in the store... now where is it?
WHAT is it... (asks for help, OH right in front of my face! duh!)

good luck I hope it helps!

[ozzlou]

hey-
maybe you know,
i figured out how to email pics- but for some reason, i can't cut and paste them onto here.
any ideas?
tara

[Logan]

I think you can get the Feliway by going to www.feliway.com . You certainly don't have to buy it from them (you can get it at the vet's office), but maybe you can learn more about it, anyway. I have heard of people using the spray form and the type that is a "plug in".

Best of luck!

[marysmerrycats]

I hope you weren't talking to ME when you asked that computer question... LOL, I know NOTHING when it comes to that stuff.

the feliway site is a good idea, but I don't know about the spray, it wouldn't last long would it? the one I posted is a plug in...I included the 2nd pic just so you could get an idea of what it looks like ...

Logan thanks for posting the site, I'm going to look at it now...

[ozzlou]

lol...
i was talking to you...lol...

now i know better!!!
(i'm a lil puter challenged also )


logan- thanks for the link- i'll check it out!
tara

[ozzlou]

he's doing it again.
refusing his meds. i can't take it anymore- there is no way i could be more frustrated.
today alone- i have tried every flavor of fancy feast, some 9 lives canned food, even ranch dressing- which he fights for whenever i have it...
nothing.
he turns his nose up at all of it.
i am not creative enough to keep this up, and to trap him in the bathroom, makes him hate me.
i'll try some more ideas that everyone gave me- i'm not really asking for advice right now- i'm just so beyond frustrated- i needed to vent.
i'm so sick of this.
tara

[Cinder & Smoke]

Hey Tara ~

Who'z bigger - you or da Kat!?

Dad'z not sure WHAT you're tryin ta give him - is it
Pills or Liquid, or both???

Pillz?
Da BEST way is wiff wunna thoze Plastic Pill *Shooters* (or Pill "Popper") things available in most every pet shop for Two to Four dollars...
"Pry" his mouth open, Insert Popper/Shooter over Top of Tongue and start it down his throat.
IGNORE Loud *Gaaak* and *Gurrrrg* sounds Kat will be making!!
Push the plunger an Zingo! Pill is way Down da Hatch an Gone!

Liquid Meds?
Best thing is a Small SYRINGE, but an eye dropper will work.
Load the medicine, again "Pry" open his mouth, insert Syringe
(withOUT the sharp needle - unscrew and throw that away!)
Again - syringe over the Top of his tongue - part way down his throat...
And *squeeze* it in!
Half to almost a full Teaspoonful can go down in One GULP!
Again - ya gotta IGNORE the unhappie sounds da Kat will be makin...

GOOD IDEA to Practice either technique with either bits of kibble or plain water - gets everyone into the proper *mood* for when you load up the Real Thing.

Depending upon just how badly he resists...
You may want to be seated in a padded easy chair - "Wedge" da Kat between you and the chair arm - that will take his two back legs out of the fight.

With your left hand holding his mouth open - the most he'll do is try to "paw" your hand off the top of his head/face with his front paws. If you keep his nails trimmed, he won't be able to really scratch you (much).

Don't *HURT* him - but hang on tight enough that he KNOWS he isn't going to get away.

Worst case?
Get a *strong* pillow case - or a small canvas laundry bag - with a draw string.
*Load* da Kat in - doesn't matter which end goes in first - He'll *adjust* so the Head End is comming out first. Soon as the Head pops out - sinch the drawstring down so ONLY the Head is out.
No Klawz to contend with - Piece of Cake!

The first few times WILL be bad! Rough on both you and the Kat!
But after you prove to him that you're gonna *win* each encounter, he WILL start to let you do it without a big fuss.
Boots now willingly jumps up on the vanity top and sits down to get his morning pill. He usually turns his head away a couple times, but no longer tries to run off. Once I secure a firm grip over his head and *pinch* the back corner of his jaw - he willingly pops open his jaw and *pop* - IN goes the pill. He even gave up making the UnHappie *Gaaak* noises - he figured out they didn't phase me in the least!

[smokey the elder]

You CAN get a cat used to taking meds. Smokey the YOunger had an eye infection that wasn't responding so I had to give her 4 different antibiotic creams over a 3 month period. At first it was a 15-30 minute ordeal twice a day of "where's Smokey?" Gradually, she realized that she WAS going to get her eye meds and finally made only the token fuss required by the Cat Union.

Good luck!

[ozzlou]

thanks for the suggestions.
i understand the point- but size means nothing when the boy fights for his life when i try to give him meds. i have scars from eye drops from 2 yrs ago.

he takes 2 liquid meds- supposed to be twice a day, although i'll be happy with once at this point.

eventually, he gets his meds- i just hate to force it on him cuz this cat holds a grudge- big time. i don't want him hating me, or shying away when i try to pet him. if only he knew this was saving his life.

truth is, i'm frustrated. i want him to be well so badly, and when he was eating the meds on his own- it was almost like he was ok.
but now that i have to force them on him, somehow it feels like he's not doing as well- he sure isn't getting the doses he used to
so i'm scared his health might start to decline.

i just had to whine, don't mind me.
tara

[marysmerrycats]

you may be bigger than the cat, but I think he wins on the sharp claws dept! I KNOW exactly how you feel, I am like you... I was very upset and desparate when my cats, 4 of them needing 2 meds , each med 4 X a day! it was hell! I guess what the others say, if you really hunt him down and force him then maybe he would get used to it... who knows. what does your vet say? he just really might need kitty prozac or something like it. have you tried the feliway? and a drink for yourself after each "medicating the cat" experience! let it go for a day or 2, he will be ok for just 2 days, it will calm him somewhat. then try tuna, peoples tuna, sardines, anything! baby and spoil him, while you get the feliway...?feliway might not work, but I think it will calm him, and if not then ask your vet about behavior modification because if this is a med he needs for his lifetime, he has to have it.

[IttyBittyKitty]

I know what you mean! I had to give Pixel meds for a few days and it was like World War Three!

I just tried the "variation" thing and that worked for her, but she wouold have outstubborned me had it gone on for too much longer.

One thing that might help you a little bit is keeping his claws nice and clipped regularly...though I imagine he doesn't like that either!

[emily_the_spoiled]

Ozzlou,

Have you considered switching from a liquid dosage form to a pill/capsule? I know that the prednisone comes in an oral tablet form that you can obtain from your local pharmacy. You may have to cut the tablets, but there are pill spliters for that.

Rutin is also available in a solid tablet from you local health food store.
http://www.michvet.com/Newsletters/fall1997.pdf

By using a tablet form you can use some of Phred and Boots tricks for getting the medicine down.

Good luck.

Cheryl