Please, please prayers for Marigold

[Cookiebaker]

Wow, this is HARD!! I picked her up a couple of hours ago, and we are home now, and pilled and cleansed for the night. It took the two of us to get the job done, and I have NO idea what I am going to do for the rest of the week since Mark leaves for Memphis at 5 tomorrow morning.

It is totally heartbreaking to see her. She has an E-collar on and so uncomfortable. Please tell me that she will get used to it soon, and quit fighting against it. I want to hold her so bad, but she just struggles against me. So I put her back in the crate.

Yes, KAK, we have a medium sized dog kennel from when Malone was a pup that I have her in now. There is enough room for a small litter pan, her food & water, and a couple of towels to sleep on.

Thank you again for your good thoughts and prayers.

ps I got a pill popper thing to make pilling for her easier, or so I thought. Everytime I put the pill in, it pops out instantly and automatically and there is no getting it to her mouth. Am I doing something wrong? Is there a technique that I'm missing? We ended up not using it, and she nearly bit Mark.

[Cookiebaker]

PS all the virtual cuddles and kisses will wait until tomorrow -- maybe she will feel like receiving them then!

[NoahsMommy]

Oh honey, I feel your pain. It is SO HARD to pill a cat, especially one that is your "heart kitty". ((Hugs))

It wont get easier, I'm afraid. Now that she knows that that pill popper is for, she'll know what to do to get the pill out. Can you crush her pills into food? Did your vet offer Pill Pockets? http://www.pillpockets.com/index_fs.htm (these work when I have to pill Micah)

Um...let see. The most effective way is quickly and as sternly as possible. I know its hard...I know...I've felt bad more days than not when my furballs are ill...but its for the good of Marigold that she gets her meds.

I put the cat(s) between my legs and kneal on the floor. Cross your feet so they can't get out. Hold their body/head with one arm, the pill with your other. Stick your finger into the side of their mouth and throw the pill in AS FAR as you can. Clamp the mouth shut and blow gently on their nose...while stroking their throat. Don't let go until the pill is gone.

I wish you lots of luck, honey. Pilling cats has to be the worst job ever!!

((((LOTS OF HUGS))))))

[NoahsMommy]

OH! I open their head with one hand...place it over the back of their head, placing your fingers along the jawline on each side. That makes it harder for them to move their head.

This is how most vets and techs handle cats...so its safe, I promise.

[Cookiebaker]

Noah's Mommy, thank you so much for the tips! I'm sure that they will come in handy, and I'll let you know how it goes.

I'm just checking in for the last time tonight. Marigold seems to have settled down now, and not meowing anymore so I think she's sleeping.

She did calm down and let me pet her and we snuggled for quite a while. I was so happy I cried.

I taught her how to eat and she got the hang of it pretty quickly. I'll attach a quick video that I shot of her learning to eat and drink. I hope it works for you.

I'll report in more tomorrow!! In the meantime I'm exhausted!

[Cinder & Smoke]

Firstly ~
NO Self-Respektin KAT will "knowlingly" consume Medications -
when "hidden" in treats or food -
no matter HOW *tastey* the treat or food may be!

Here's Dad's Oft-Repeated "How to Pill da Kat" article >>

Here's a good article on How to PILL da Kat ~
with minimal loss of blood...

How to PILL the Kat article

And we'll repeat *our* method ~
Get youselves a Pill Shooter!

They are *cheap* - less than $5.00 US;
should be availabe in any Pet Store - US and elsewhere:
cause little *stress* to either Kitty OR the Human;
almost Guarantee a successful *pilling* on the first *shot*

Here's a poor picture of ours - all soft plastic and made by
"Four Paws".

Pix - "Four Paws Pill Dispenser"

Dad *loves* it; Boots tolerates it;
and there hasn't been a lost or spit-out pill in years!

Y'all really Otta Get One!!

WHERE to get a Pill Shooter?
Almost ALL Pet Shops sell them...
Usually less than $5.00 gets you a reasonably good Plastic one.

Your VET may have a loaner; but you might as well buy your own.
And you do NOT need a fancy Chrome-Plated "Vet model" your Vet
may offer to SELL you!
The Pet Shop "cheepie" works just as well!

To get meds on-board over the weekend - if the
"Using your Fingers" method in the article above doesn't work ~

Get a STRAW - plain ole Drinking Straw - semi-large diameter
(thick milk-shake size)...

Insert pill in one end...
Take deep breath and secure Kat...
Insert Opposite end in your mouth...

Open Kat's mouth with methods from above articles...
Insert KAT End of straw over Kat tongue at back of throat...

*BLOW* through YOUR end of straw -
NOTE! Important! **BLOW** (Do NOT * *suck*!!)

"Verify" Pill came OUT (in KAT) -
before re-inserting straw in your milk-shake!

/s/ Phred

(Above is a "Reprint" from a previous post.)

[Cinder & Smoke]

Originally posted by Cookiebaker

I got a pill popper thing to make pilling for her easier,
or so I thought.

Everytime I put the pill in, it pops out instantly and automatically
and there is no getting it to her mouth.

Am I doing something wrong?
Is there a technique that I'm missing?
We ended up not using it, and she nearly bit Mark.

"Everytime I put the pill in, it pops out instantly and automatically"

Two things come to mind ...

1) IF you have a Super-Deluxe Vet model -
SOME of them have a spring-loaded plunger that actually "shoots"
the pill AFTER you pull the trigger ...

IF this is what you have - "practice" with a piece of kibble till you
figure out HOW the silly thing works ...
You don't really even need da Kat - if you're getting an ""early release" -
you can practice at the kitchen table withOUT da Kat!

2) Or is the PILL itself super-small -
SO Small that it just "falls out the end" before
you can get it in Kitty's mouth?

IF THAT's what's happening - try this fix ...

a) Insert PILL into Shooter with plunger pulled way back...
b) Use a piece of Scotch Tape to wrap around the slotted END
. . of the pill shooter to close up the slotted end ...
c) It will require some additional "Force" on the plunger to
. . "break" the tape seal ...
. . bit a SINGLE Layer wrap of Scotch tape should break fairly easily.

Now if what you meant by "Everytime I put the pill in,
it pops out instantly"
Was that it "pops out" of da KAT's MOUTH ...

That's an easy fix ... you're just not "inserting" the pill popper FAR Enough
into Kitty's mouth!

When you open their jaws with your Thumb & Index Finger in opposite
corners of the back of their mouth ...
The Jaw pops open without much fuss...
But the darn TONGUE falls back and "plugs up" the throat ...
not to mention the front end of the tongue starts Flappin Up & Down
to further block things up ...

You need to use the Pill Shooter just like the Doc uses a "wooden tongue
depresser" on a lil kid ...
GENTLY push down on that flappin tongue and SLIDE the
pill shooter back and over the tongue ...
Done properly, you'll think the end of the pill shooter will be
appearing under the TAIL of da Kat ...
Not quite THAT far ... but you probably won't be able to "see" the
end of the pill shooter once you get it in FAR enough that Kitty
won't be able to block the pill with her tongue!

Lastly -
don't "practice" with the "Real Pill" ...
use small pieces of Kibble/Krunchies or treets ...
If you miss or Kitty *spits* one out - no problemo -
somebody will find it and eat it later!

Happie Pill "Poppin"!!

/s/ Phred

[Pawsitive Thinking]

try an empty biro case - put one end in kitty's mouth, insert pill and BLOW! Hope she is on the mend

[anna_66]

Anna I'm just seeing this

I'm so sorry to hear about Marigold and hope she's doing much better. Pilling dogs is bad enough, I can't even imagine trying to do it to a cat
She looks so sad in her new collar, I hope she doesn't have to have it on for long.

Skitches to Marigold (when she feels better of course!).

[Randi]

Oh poor Marigold having to wear that collar. I hope you'll succeed getting the pills down her troat - one way or the other.

I had big problems giving Fister pills to begin with, but now it's pretty easy. I did it more or less the way Kelly suggested, I was "sneaking" up from behind while he sat relaxed, looking out of the window. Then put both my arms tight around him while leaning my chest on him. I opened the side of his mouth with my left finger - making sure to get it all the way to the back of his teeth, then he can't really bite. Then popping the pill in with my right hand and keep his mouth closed, while stroking him on the throat. It has to be done in a relaxed way not forcing him too much.

Ok, he has been known to spit the pill out a few times, but eventually, it goes down.

Those pill poppers, I've never tried - wouldn't it be nice if you could put some water in as well, that would probably make them swallow immediately.

Best of luck!

[lv4dogs]

I'm glad to hear that the surgery went well. I hope she starts cooperating with you so she can get better.

[Logan]

Anna, this is my first chance to catch up in a couple of days. First of all, I'm glad your swwet girl is home I have no advice for the pilling stuff, though, because I have had no success with Mimi or Butter in administering pills or liquid meds. If the pill is small enough, perhaps it could be hidden in a bite of wet food. Otherwise, I just don't know.

Keep us posted on your sweet girl. I hope she will be just fine!

Logan

[smokey the elder]

Poor Marigold. I hope she gets well soon. E-collars and pills are a drag, but you need them, little kitty!

[momcat]

Prayers are most definitely being prayed for Marigold. Poor kitty, hope she feels better very soon. You didn't betray her trust, you did the right thing, you did what any responsible, loving, caring pet owner would do. You got her the medical care she needs to resolve a problem that could possibly get worse. How is your little girl doing now? Please keep us updated?