Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello all, it's been a little over a month and two weeks since Mew had her amputation and it hasn't been as smooth as I had hoped. For the past couple weeks she's been dealing with a nasty infection (Staphylococcus aureus as I understood the doctor). How she got it is unknown, the doctor said she could have picked it up from visiting the veterinary hospital.
She was on Clavamox for a week which she took well but caused her diarrhea and decreased appetite, and after we found out the exact bacteria strain we moved her onto a liquid medication form of Sulfatrim which she had the worst reaction to any medication that I have ever seen. Massive amounts of drool/spit and vomited about 3 to 4 times, in the hospital lobby. Thank goodness I asked that they try to give her the medication there.
So finally a week later after they ordered me a pill form of "Sulfamethoxazole", I'm stuck here wondering how in the world am I going to pill her when I've never given a cat a pill in my life! Because of her intense reaction to the (I'm assuming) taste of the medication, I'm not able to open the pill up and mix it into her food or hide it in a treat so I'm wondering what pilling methods have worked for everyone? The idea of opening her mouth up and putting the pill in her mouth probably isn't as easy as it sounds.
I ordered a pill popper but it does not seem to do what I need it to do, "pop" the pill in. Seems the syringe is faulty/weak. I read somewhere about coating the outside of the pill with a little butter? I have her first pill dosing time coming up and I'm really nervous! 
Also, has anyone successfully made a rear amp onesie? I have many failed creations and I'm losing hope. 
I've ordered a dog diaper and I'm hoping I can customize it.
~ Vanessa + Mew ~
bluemoon said
I'm stuck here wondering how in the world am I going to pill her when I've never given a cat a pill in my life!
You will find this and many more helpful tips in Cool Tips for Tripawd Cats !
Pill Taking Treats, Strategies and Secret Recipes
How to Give Medications to Your Cat
Liquid medications are also often much easier to administer to cats, so consider asking your vet for those, or making a slurry...
How To Give Oral Suspension To Your Cat or Dog
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Actually disregard that, my cat had a strong reaction to the pill as well (I ran to the pet store after the one I ordered online failed) so now I'm wondering if anyone else has had a cat with a strong reaction to, according to the vet, the only antibiotic available for her infection. Perhaps I should make a new post for that one as we're all running out of ideas.
But rear onesies are still a challenge to solve and would love to hear about any success stories with them.
~ Vanessa + Mew ~
Geez, sorry Mew has had such a rough time phasing out this infection. Maybe one of our kitty members can help,out, or maybe you could pose the question about the antibiotic challenge in Ask A Vet.
As far as the onside, I'm no help. But again, hang on for one of our kitty members to chime in with suggestions.
I admired your tenacity! Hang in there and you and Newbwill get pass this! How is Mew doing overall?
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
That's a great suggestion, I'll go ahead and do that 
Aw thanks, I just want to make sure I'm doing all I can to find a solution for her. I know this storm will pass but damn it's been a long storm! Lol. Mew has been sleeping a lot but she's finally getting her appetite back and improved after giving her 1/4 teaspoon metamucil mixed in food for her loose stools from her previous antibiotics/Clavamox. She was even in the mood to play a lot yesterday so for her that's a definite improvement. She's constantly trying to get at her infection site so I've been trying a combination of onesies/shorts with no success.
Would be so nice to have something available in stores/online! If someone were to sell something like that it would make so many pets and people's lives easier 
~ Vanessa + Mew ~
Hi again,
I replied to your other forum post regarding giving medication and options to hopefully stop her from vomiting. If that does not work can you ask if there is a comparable medicine that she may tolerate better?
As far as the rear onsies are concerned, I just dont know if that is doable just because of the nature of cats. I guess you could try like a front legger and sew up the leg. Then you could cut a tail hole? But if she is using her catbox I can anticipate this being messy, lol. She may need to have the dreaded e-collar until the wound is healed. That is the only way I can see guaranteeing keeping her away from the wound until it is healed. Of course, she will hate it, lol but they usually get to tolerating it and just deal until it comes off.
I wish you luck in this difficult predicament, sounds like you have your hands FULL!
Hugs,
Jackie and Huck 
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
Just checking in to see how you and Mew are doing? Hope all is ok
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Yes, thanks so much for your input. I tried to give her a little bit of food before her pilling time and waited about 20 minutes and she's been able to keep it down. However the problem is that she's getting wiser and after using the pill gun on her she will swallow but will still hold onto the pill in her mouth. I have been blowing air in her face and using downward strokes on her throat to encourage her to swallow but last night she held onto the pill for record time, I was actually starting to fall asleep.
I'm trying to search for other methods on google as well :\
As for the rear onesie situation, she's had her e-cone on ever since her surgery but she finds a way to bend her body forward enough that she gets the e-cone stuck on her incision site and starts to lick at the infection. She's had to be on constant watch since we haven't been able to find a suitable option to cover that area that also allows her to go to the bathroom since I live alone and although I've had my mom come during the week to watch her, Mew usually tends to do the most damage when I'm in the shower or when I'm sleeping. We're all very frustrated and tired and we can't wait for her to finally recover. I bought some doggy diapers that are finally sewn and ready to be tested so we'll see how that goes!
~ Vanessa + Mew ~
Do you have or can you get an oral dosing syringe? A few drops of water dribbled into the side of her mouth should get her to swallow. Went to a strictly feline vet that used that method for Oscar and it worked great. He was on three months of pills for his eye.
I would only do very small amount and make sure it's the very corner of her mouth so she doesn't aspirate. I bet you could Google it!
Glad things are otherwise well ❤ How is she doing with her other end?
Hugs,
Jackie and Huck❤
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Hi Jackie,
I actually tried that last night because I had waited so long for her to swallow so I started to give her some water at the side of her mouth but she ended up just chewing and destroying the pill, tasting it, then throwing it up. :\
~ Vanessa + Mew ~
Shes a toughie and it is so hard for me to try and explain how I have wrestled up the medication part of things. I have also used butter on a pill or pill pocket and massaged the throat. Butter stops it from sticking, the pill pocket stops her from getting the nasty pill in her mouth...
I would use as small amount of pill pocket as possible. Just enough to coat the pill. Run a little butter on it and then the key for me has always been speed. To be honest, as a tech I have quickly slid my buttered finger as close to the back of the throat as possible and gotten it to slide down after closing the mouth.
With all that said, I know they can be all teeth and claws, lol. With Huck I used to take a big fluffy towel and come up from behind him. I would gently wrap the towel around him and lean over him. This was on the floor or on the bed. I was able to use my body to help him from freaking out and after the deed I just kept still and slowly petted him and talked to him (unless he was freaking out lol)
Cats are NOT dogs, lol.... I have had the best cats that were the worst to pill. They actually make a cat bag that you zip on them that keeps all the claws secured! We used to use that bag a lot at the animal hospital. The only thing sticking out was the head. Maybe ask your vet if they have one you could borrow? Then when you wrap a towel around her you are both secure?
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Here!!! I found a good one
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
I think they did a great job of showing head placement. Combining that with a towel should do the trick for you. Don't get too discouraged please, cats are not easy. Some are plain out impossible for one person, one of the sweetest, tiniest cats I ever had was just that way.
I hope some of this helps
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Interesrin reading all the solution's
I DO understand ALL TO WELL being the only one to give pills, drops, etc. The video shows someone holding the kitty, and I know you've tried wrapping him up. Not quite same as having a second pair of hands though.
So no help...jist .lots of empathy!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Wrapping them up and either sitting on the floor with their back to your tummy, leaning over them on the bed .. again with their back to your chest and learning how to use your body to restrain and keep you both safe has always been key for me, even before I was a tech. You are hugging around her with a towel and that body motion is stopping paws and claws from flying. Using the fingers to manipulate the jaw is also important. I used my left middle finger and thumb to apply the pressure to the side of the jaw and my right hand to pop the pill in.
Sometimes you only get one chance and then you need to step back for a few minutes before you try again. I use my chest/tummy for leverage.
I got a feeling you are going to get this... fingers crossed!!
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
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