Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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So what I have been doing is breaking the capsule into a measuring tsp. I use a spoon to hit the bottom of it until it is even in the middle. Then I take the spoon and divide it in half and and push it into the food. I put the measuring tsp with the other half in a plastic ziplock and set it aside for later.
I initially tried to split the capsule using scissors but a bunch of it spilled out. Is there an effective technique for it? I tried to pull it apart but no luck. Or can the capsule easily break in half if I bend it? I don’t think I tried that.
I think you are right about the taste cause Petunia was reluctant to eat her fancy food tonight. Why can’t there be an easier solution???
I don’t think the solensia is enough cause even right before I fed her, she let out cries as she stood up on the pillow to stretch and readjust herself. 🙁
I do want to try the technique you mentioned, but confused on the process of it from splitting the 100mg capsule to getting them into two smaller ones.
Okay, I went to that website listed on the capsule bag in your pic and it had a video on it. So you just split the capsule over a small bowl and just scooped the powder in two capsules?
good job - ill have to look at it. We made you a quick video. Yes I just pull apart but you have to almost twist and pull.
It's not an exact science, but it is close, and we do what we must to help our kitties.
What I did for Saxtons meds was sit and do all his meds once a week. So i had one week always ready. Do whatever works for you. It's best to be relaxed and not in a rush. Of course, it will go smoother for you. Also, do this when the girls are sleeping so you don't have assistance.
I made this with what you will have at home and available. A piece of paper cut in triangle to use as a funnel. plate and razor blade and empty gel capsules.
There are tools to make this job easier, i.e., a funnel, capsule holder, and a little brush or scoop. I do have and use, but I wanted you to see it is doable with no tools and the cheapest way & how we started making ours. Gel capsules are a must for cats as they have different sizes and can hide nasty meds. Apparently, some kitties will eat a gel capsule. Purrkins and Saxton would eat blank gel capusles but as soon as you put meds in forget it. So yes, use the pill gun.
# 4 or # 5 gel capsules are what I used most of it depends on the use and how much we are trying to get in one, so for you, yes, 4 or 5. I like the 5.
You didnt taste it I assume 🙄🤣? Seriously do you will never question why Petunia is not eating her food.
I hope it helps you and Petunia.
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Tools if you wish to purchase. I did because I had so much medicine to give Saxton for his heart. You dont need them but it does make things easier when you have alot to make. The little capsule holders & funnels I got on Etsy. The tools yes amazon.
11 Piece Capsule Filling Machine Kit for Pill Filler - All Sizes # 000 00 0 1 2 3 4 5 Micro lab Spoons Spatula Tool for Gel Capsules Empty Quickly Fill Tray with Herb Powder Tamper Tools.
OMG!!! This is AMAZING!!! Thank you for this! I just ordered the capsules from Amazon that has good reviews. The two sites from the bags you had didn’t have 1000 qty or size 5 (which I’m opting with since it is the smallest). It was awesome to see how well it fit into #5! I’m actually going to add in her hyperthyroidism med as well, that way Possum will be the only one I have to crush daily (I plan to do a bulk for Tuni).
This is also amazing because when it comes to me going out of town, it’ll be nice to have the pills ready for Petunia since I would feel bad with the extra steps whoever watches them have to deal with. Woohoo!! Thank you for the video, it helps so much!
And, yes, I’m gonna take your word for it that gaba tastes horrible. She’ll have to deal with it until I get it on Wednesday. She better at least!
Also, I am still doing Solensia every 4 weeks. Her next appt is the 13th.
Also, gaba got to her this time. She just did some walking and had some trouble. I do think the gaba does make her lose some feeling in her back leg. But it’s been soooooo nice to see her incredible walking performance the last few days. And how much more speed she has picked up! There have been a few times when I would be in the kitchen and I see her round the corner from coming out of thr bedroom, I’ll look up for like 30 seconds and look back down at her and she’s gone. Turn around and already see her on the couch! 😂
Before Saxton needed so many pills, I would always taste a pin-sized taste of meds to know how I was going to administer and how much of an issue it was going to be getting meds in. I never expect them to eat meds. I syringe or pill medicine & or supplements. Those are not a choice. They get in quickly and by the least stressful means and never a bitter, nasty taste.
We also do a couple of compound medicines, and both those medications are checked in the blood, so we KNOW for a fact the meds are good. We had a horrible experience with a compounding pharmacy. The one we are using now is excellent.
Learning how to do gel capsules and putting whatever meds in one was our biggest blessing—less stress for all and a little work for us, no biggy. I would put several meds in one gel capsule. Yes, you will find one size that will work best for your needs. It was all trial and error for us in the beginning; hopefully, this takes some of the error out;)
You are welcome. We are glad it was helpful.
Yes I'm not surprised on the gaba. I would have thought she would be used to it by now, plus it is a small mg. Maybe you can do less mg and see how she does. Say 25 mg just a thought you can always give the other 25 mg if you see its needed.
Kisses to the girls please. Have a good night.
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Oh so compound pharmacies actually put together capsules of all meds required for a cat?? I was kinda confused anytime compound pharmacies were mentioned.
I was actually thinking maybe 25mg every 8 hrs. Or maybe 1/3 of a pill every 12 hours, so it’s just over 1/2 pill but not the full amount. The nice thing about making these capsules is I can work it differently to see what is best for her.
No, we did all-in-one capsules.
Purrkins gets his phenobarbitol made into a fish-flavored liquid medicine, and we do the transdermal ear thyroid medicine. You literally rub into the ears. We chose that route rather than the pills for thyroid.
So like your 50 mg gaba or 25 mg gaba could be compounded into a liquid form, a chewable treat or capsule, which you have just learned how to do;) It is way more expensive, and we do have insurance, which makes all the difference for us. We got insurance AFTER Purrkin's amputation and took the chance knowing a lot would not be covered, it has paid OFF and saved us a ton of money and stress.
Compounding is lovely if you find a trusted pharmacy, and it is best when you can SEE in lab work the meds are what they are supposed to be and are doing what they were prescribed to do.
No need you have the tools now to do your own for fraction of the cost. Yes experiment on the dosage you will know if 25 mg is enough or if the 50mg is needed.
Hugs
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Should I be concerned that Petunia’s appetite has increased A LOT the last two days? I’ve never seen her wanting to get off the couch so fast to eat Possum’s food after consuming hers within a hour of first giving it to her. I never seen her this crazed about food before … like ever in her nearly 17 yrs of life.
… and she just motioned that she wanted to get off the couch again to eat more food …
This is weird behavior.
Poor girl is struggling walking back to the couch. I’m curious if the gaba powder has anything to do with her hunger. Can’t wait to get the capsules to see if that will make the difference.
Hmm, that is interesting. How is her thirst level? Are here bowel movements the same?
I haven't ever heard of Gabapentin causing excessive hunger, that's really odd. I don't think this is anything to panic about but take good notes so you can compare from day to day.
I agree. I can't wait for you to get the capsules. You can pill the gaba you have.
Petunias is going after possums' food because it's not nasty with GABA.
How does she get her Methimazole (hyperthyroid med) in her food now, too? You give twice a day, right? She needs to get her entire dosage of thyroid med. If she is not completing her meals, she is not getting her dosage, and you might be seeing hyperthyroid symptoms, too.
You said you plan on putting her hyper thyroid med in the capsule, which is the best route. Once you get the meds in differently and NOT IN MEALS, we can better understand what you are seeing and when to be concerned.
I don't understand why you don't Pill Petunia her meds now.
Is there a reason, you have a pill gun?
Thyroid med pill: use your pill gun.
Yes, the Gaba capsule will be bigger until you get the gel shell capsule, but you can make due until then.
Pour the GABA capsule out as I showed you, cut it in half, and fill the gaba capsule back up with ONLY half to pill that to Petunia. You will have half of the powder left; put that in a baggie as you were doing, and you can use the baggie powder to fill the gel capsules when they come. Make sense?
Hugs
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