Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Ive gotten pretty good at administering liquid meds via syringe to Harry, but he did not respond well at all to his first dose of tramadol tonight (he's scheduled for surgery Friday and on pain and anti inflam meds until then). He was grudgingly patient as ever when I approached and put the syringe in his mouth, but as soon as he got a taste of it, he started fussing and the second I let go of him he hop-ran across the apartment, as far away from me as possible and foam-drooled as much of it out as possible.
I'm aware that opiates can have a strong flavour, but would like to get them into him properly in order to reduce the amount of pain he is in. Any tips? I especially don't want to be wrestling with him once he's had the amputation and is sore to the touch around a larger area...
Hi, I just responded on your other thread. Tramadol tastes awful. My cat Mona was on buprenorphone which you squirt on the cat's gum. She didn't seem to mind it.
Let your vet know that Harry is foaming from the Tramadol and ask for other options.
Good luck with finding something palatable.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Pilling tips are at the bottom of this post then more tips within each of those previous posts:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks. I don't really have the option of switching up at the moment, as I'm flat broke until payday now :/ I'm just trying to bypass his tongue as much as possible. I feel like that makes me a crap Mum, but I'm out of options right now. I guess I'll have to talk to the vet about options when I take him in Friday...He didn't foam as badly with today's doses, although was still clearly trying to get the taste out of his mouth.
Oh my gosh you are a pawesome Mum! Please give yourself more credit, you're doing all you can.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
thanks. I have been trying to mix in some fishy stuff today, with mixed results. Tuna juice at lunch and sardine juice tonight...it gets him into the kitchen anyway! I think getting it right into the back of his throat makes the biggest difference as to whether he foams. He must be keeping a good amount in his system though because he's more mobile than he has been in the past week, and those giant saucer eyes are doing a lot of dozy staring.
Back of the throat helps a lot, especially when you have an older (larger) cat you don't have to worry about (as much) aspirating liquids.
I don't know if it will be possible once he has his stitches... but, my ex husband taught me, when I was his vet tech, that if you can scruff a cat and simultaneously walk it on its hind legs, it distracts them enough you can usually get the job done. Also, if you have a large dose to give, it can sometimes help to break it up into say, 1/4cc squirts. Take a short (like minute) break in between. Follow it up with something yummy, administered the same way, so they don't automatically assume "OMIGAWD MEDS! RUN!"
In short, the goal is to out-think the cat. Heh. Or confuse it so utterly, it doesn't know what to expect or how to react.
On a serious note, when you pick up Harry after surgery, ask your vet or his tech to show you how to administer his meds given the stitches.
Thank you! I can't scruff Harry. That's never worked for me, or any of the vets he has seen :/ The idea of shorter squirts interspersed with treats is good. It's pretty easy for me to get liquids in. I just kind of kneel on the floor with my ankles crossed and him tucked in between (so he cant back away), one hand on his chest or under his chin, and kind of hunch over and slip the syringe into his cheek. He doesn't start trying to get away now until he tastes what it is. When it's metacam, he'll even hang around and sniff the syringe afterwards. With the tramadol he runs, and leaves a trail of drool half the time.
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