New cat owner

[Rael]

How is the little guy today? He is very lucky to have you to take care of him. Cats are fun!

I've never had any luck wrapping a cat. They don't like it and they will make sure that you don't like it, either.

The best technique I've ever found is the one Catt taught me: sit on the cat.

When they're laying down on their stomach, sit on them - be careful not to squarsh them - with knees on either side, and medicate them quickly. This works like a charm.

He's doing fine so far, he drew a little blood today from Nenette (she's fine too). She and I will try that carefully sitting on the cat thing on the next dose. Thanks.

 

[BrianB]

Pray you never have to give your cat a pill...I find this to be completely impossible. The sweetest cat in the world turned into a total monster at pill-time. Ugh.

 

[Merlin99]

We never had one before, as I'm allergic to many. But this one came around a lot from next door, very friendly, and I found I wasn't allergic to him. The owners are moving soon, and couldn't take him with them, so there's the situation. Happy to have him, and discovering our new responsibilities.

I took him to the vet just for an initial "how's he doing", and all is generally well. One thing (which didn't surprise me with all of his scratching) was he has ear mites. So, 2x a day for the next 10 days he needs 6 drops in both ears. After watching his first dose of it at the vet's office, I'm thinking "holy crap, how am I going to hold him down?". He was NOT easy with getting these drops even with both the Dr. and the technician doing this. Never seen such a peaceful, friendly cat suddenly become such an inflamed savage beast!

I read a few articles about this, and understood a 'kitty burrito'. We'll most likely give it a try, I imagine refrigerated ear drops are probably real uncomfortable, so we'll do the best we can to get this ear mites thing under wraps.

Maybe some of you smart cat people have some good words to minimize the cat's discomfort with all of this, as well as advice for me so I don't bleed to death in the next ten days.

Wish us luck.

It takes a little drinking, but this is what you do....

 

[Rael]

It takes a little drinking, but this is what you do....

Now that's just....beautimus.

 

[ArkRescue]

Thanks, they all seem like good suggestions and definitely worth trying. Warm it up, cover me up, wrap him up, and scruff him up. We're minutes away from trying this for the first time.
Tomorrow morning (if I still have eyeballs) when he sees me with a towel, heavy gloves, and hiding a bottle I'm sure he's gonna make a run for it.

I don't think you are supposed to warm it up - is supposed to stay cold if I'm not mistaken?

I feel for you. One of mine had ear mites and the whole crew had to be treated (including the dog) for 10 days - wait 1 week and 10 more days I believe it was ......

 

[ArkRescue]

I sometimes sit on the floor with my legs crossed at the ankles under me, I grab said kitty and push kitty between my legs and the kitty can't back out (crossed ankles) and most claw action is on the floor.

Another method is to scruff the kitty with 1 hand and shove a good sized pillow under it with the other hand, place kitty on firm surface with pillow under it, and use the pillow hand to medicate.

 

[libertytyranny]

Pray you never have to give your cat a pill...I find this to be completely impossible. The sweetest cat in the world turned into a total monster at pill-time. Ugh.

I always put the pill inside some cheese and they swallow it right down..sometimes they spit it out and I have to do it a few times..but they don't fight me on it, in fact they may spit it out just to get more cheese..

 

[desertrat]

I always put the pill inside some cheese and they swallow it right down..sometimes they spit it out and I have to do it a few times..but they don't fight me on it, in fact they may spit it out just to get more cheese..

I just tell mine "look there are two ways we can do this" and he opens his mouth!

 

[vraiblonde]

I just tell mine "look there are two ways we can do this" and he opens his mouth!

 

[bcp]

When they're laying down on their stomach, sit on them - be careful not to squarsh them - with knees on either side, and medicate them quickly. This works like a charm.

Aint no way Im putting my nuts that close to the claws of a pissed off cat.

I may be older, and not use them too much any more, but dammit, when I get burried they will be hanging on me, not the end of some cat paw.

I vote for the blanket method.

I would also consider keeping it as an indoor cat, works out much better for everyone involved.

 

[ArkRescue]

Aint no way Im putting my nuts that close to the claws of a pissed off cat.

I may be older, and not use them too much any more, but dammit, when I get burried they will be hanging on me, not the end of some cat paw.

I vote for the blanket method.

I would also consider keeping it as an indoor cat, works out much better for everyone involved.

Look, stop your whining, you admit it yourself, you really don't need them anymore .....

 

[bcp]

Look, stop your whining, you admit it yourself, you really don't need them anymore .....

sentimental value.

 

[Rael]

I don't think you are supposed to warm it up - is supposed to stay cold if I'm not mistaken?
I feel for you. One of mine had ear mites and the whole crew had to be treated (including the dog) for 10 days - wait 1 week and 10 more days I believe it was ......

Yeah, I was told it is supposed to stay refrigerated. But then I balance the compromise of medicinal effectiveness versus severe bleeding and life threatening fever from a series of deep gashes!

I always put the pill inside some cheese and they swallow it right down..sometimes they spit it out and I have to do it a few times..but they don't fight me on it, in fact they may spit it out just to get more cheese..

I'll remember that one.

I just tell mine "look there are two ways we can do this" and he opens his mouth!

 

[ArkRescue]

Yeah, I was told it is supposed to stay refrigerated. But then I balance the compromise of medicinal effectiveness versus severe bleeding and life threatening fever from a series of deep gashes!

but, what if warming it makes it ineffective? Then you'd be wasting your time.

 

[ArkRescue]

PS - you may want to call the vet to ask, or you may be buying more and doing it again?

 

[ArkRescue]

sentimental value.

oh my, well make sure your surviving family knows you want to take them with you - well if you're an organ donor that is ....

 

[bcp]

oh my, well make sure your surviving family knows you want to take them with you - well if you're an organ donor that is ....

Organ donor?
wouldnt that be like a blind man dontating his eyes?

P.S. Not a donor,, least not filled out on license as such

 

[Katelin]

Yeah, I was told it is supposed to stay refrigerated. But then I balance the compromise of medicinal effectiveness versus severe bleeding and life threatening fever from a series of deep gashes!


I'll remember that one.

Listen, dont pay attention to all the stuff faceless people tell you here on SOMD.
If you are having problems, call, or go back to your Vet and have a tech help you or ask your Vet for another option for treating ear mite. I know of 2 that I will not post here.
Good Luck!

 

[ArkRescue]

Listen, dont pay attention to all the stuff faceless people tell you here on SOMD.
If you are having problems, call, or go back to your Vet and have a tech help you or ask your Vet for another option for treating ear mite. I know of 2 that I will not post here.
Good Luck!

I thought your specialty was WILD critters - get back to the woods and tend to them.

 

[Katelin]

I thought your specialty was WILD critters - get back to the woods and tend to them.

And you specialize in what?
What permits do you hold to take in and hold wildlife?