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I have also found that a "pill gun" works too. It can be a bit rough, but it is a way to get the pill in the back of the mouth and then push it in there.

They are not too happy afterwards and you have to be able to hold them, but it has worked. And since I have to do it alone, it makes it easier.
 
I coat them with butter, open her mouth with my fingers and drop the pill near the back of her mouth. The butter helps the pill slid down.

I saw on the board that some people hide the pill in a small piece of cheese. I tries that and she gobbled it up. She loves cheddar cheese. It's easier then using the butter. I hope you find something that works well for you.
 
My regular vet called and told me that the Batryl is chewable and I asked her how I was supposed to make her chew it instead of spitting it out. She told me that our local pharmacy can compound her medicine to a flavored oil that you drizzle on their food. Has anyone else tried this? Once Virginia Tech gets the culture tests finished she might not have to take some of these meds but may have different ones so I'm trying to hold off on the compounds until we know for sure.
 
With my kitty Fritz I take the pill and pop it to the side back corner of his mouth he swallows and I always feed him right after. I put extra water in his raw food to make sure the pill never just sits in his throat. Im not sure if Callie will let you. There is a piller you can use. It is a long thing with the end that you slip the pill in and insert to the back side if mouth never straight in the middle if mouth.
Iv'e used it but Fritz takes pills pretty easy the other way.
 
Lisa and Callie said:
She told me that our local pharmacy can compound her medicine to a flavored oil that you drizzle on their food. Has anyone else tried this?
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If I remember correctly, I got some oil from the vet once. I was offered the choice of chicken or tuna. I used it to make a medicine less bitter and more palatable with an easier to syringe and harder to pill cat. She didn't like the process any better but I thought it was helping. I'd ask the vet or the compounding pharmacy for a bit of oil to try on its own first. You don't want to waste a pill and money on something that might not work.
 
Today I made her little cheese balls and put the pills in. It worked. I'm not sure if the cheese is a great thing for her but a this point at least she got all of her meds and I kept my nerves intact.
 
We had to have more fluid removed on Monday. It had been 13 days since the last time. I still haven't got the fungal culture results so the one medicine that I give her might not be what she needs. Her BG numbers were better the last curve. Not quite low enough but they are scared to adjust her dose because of the infection. Thanks for your concern. I'm at my wits end with this.
 
Oh my goodness. I'm so sorry that she's having this struggle. Hopefully the medicine she's on is the right one for her, or at least buys her enough time to get her on the best one. What antibiotic is she one right now? Is she still struggling with breathing? I know it's not her lungs, but would a nebulizer offer her a bit of temporary relief?
 
They have her on doxycycline for the E. coli and terbinafine for the fungal infection. The fluid builds up in her abdomen and puts pressure on her lungs so I don't think that would help. I have asked for something to help boost her immunity but both vets say that there isn't anything. Right now we are just waiting for the results and watching her breathing and praying that the meds kick in.
 
Have they considered using a diuretic to help with flushing the fluids out of her system? Not sure if this would work in your case but cats with congestive heart are often prescribed a diuretic to help remove the excess fluids.
 
I asked about that and they only use it with heart problems. The only other option is to put chest tubes in and flush with saline every 8 hours for several days. She would have to be sedated and with her age we are hesitant to do this. Plus the cost for this is huge.
 
Lisa and Callie said:
I asked about that and they only use it with heart problems. The only other option is to put chest tubes in and flush with saline every 8 hours for several days. She would have to be sedated and with her age we are hesitant to do this. Plus the cost for this is huge.
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((Lisa)))

Poor Callie. I hope the fungal culture comes back with some helpful information and the antibiotics start to help relief the symptoms. How awful for you to gave to struggle with all of this.

Sending prayers and healing energy. :bighug::bighug:
 
I found one site that does suggest using diuretic with ascites (fluid build up in the abdominal cavity)

http://www.petplace.com/article/cats/diseases-conditions-of-cats/symptoms/ascites-in-cats

Treatment of Ascites in Cats
An accurate diagnosis is needed for proper therapy. Pending a definitive diagnosis, certain treatments may be appropriate:

  • Therapeutic abdominocentesis (removing a larger amount of fluid from the abdomen) if the amount of abdominal distention is compromising the animal's ability to breath
  • Diuretics to promote fluid excretion
  • Oxygen therapy if the animal is in respiratory distress
  • Intravenous fluids in cases of shock or dehydration
  • Transfusions of blood products
  • Antibiotic therapy if infection is suspected
Maybe revisiting this idea or having your vet consult with a specialist might be useful
 
Tuxedo Mom said:
I found one site that does suggest using diuretic with ascites (fluid build up in the abdominal cavity)

http://www.petplace.com/article/cats/diseases-conditions-of-cats/symptoms/ascites-in-cats

Treatment of Ascites in Cats
An accurate diagnosis is needed for proper therapy. Pending a definitive diagnosis, certain treatments may be appropriate:

  • Therapeutic abdominocentesis (removing a larger amount of fluid from the abdomen) if the amount of abdominal distention is compromising the animal's ability to breath
  • Diuretics to promote fluid excretion
  • Oxygen therapy if the animal is in respiratory distress
  • Intravenous fluids in cases of shock or dehydration
  • Transfusions of blood products
  • Antibiotic therapy if infection is suspected
Maybe revisiting this idea or having your vet consult with a specialist might be useful
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Thank you. I'll talk to my regular vet about this.
 
There are different types of diuretics. Some of the more common like furosemide can deplete potassium in the body. and may require testing to make sure the levels don't drop too low. There are others such as spironolactone that are potassium sparing and will not deplete the potassium levels. Just a bit more information for when you talk to your vet.

:bighug:
 
I was told Monday that the culture is growing but it is too small to identify. They check it twice a week at Virginia Tech. I'm hoping we will know by next week. I'm having a hard time putting her through all of this. I just want to see some progress.
 
Sadi & Baby are both 15 and I am doing a lot holistically to keep them in tip/top shape. I give salmon oil every day, combination of cell salts, flower essences, kidney supplement too. On some days they have to have a Pepcid AC, some days that have to have an allergy pill, sometimes all of the above. We learned to pill successfully years ago so it likely is easy for me now because I got a “flow” down.

Likely you have had these tips mentioned, but will share mine too.

I find that gel caps work amazingly well; you can do multiple pills and/or liquids in them and then administer. If I do that, then how I do it is:

1. I put meds/supplements/remedies in the gel cap

2. I then “dip” the gel cap in moist food (imagine a chip being dipped in dip)

3. I then show Sadi & Baby the gel cap because I never “surprise” them; I think that is a bit rude just to have something shoved down your throat out of left field. LOL

4. I then place gel cap that has been dipped in moist food in the back of their mouth & kind of control the jaw until they swallow it and it happens in seconds, but controlling the jaw they can’t spit it out.

You have to do this all fairly fast because these guys are quick and not easily deceived. I think some helpful tips are to “own” the situation, know that it had to be done and there is not a choice and be confident.

Some tips to get them to swallow is dip your finger in water and gently rub their nose, I guess it causes them to swallow (reflex). I currently don’t do this but have.

If you choose not to do the gel cap & it is just a pill, you can follow same flow.. just dip pill in wet food.

It really depends on the cat, but I found that both of mine have noses like Inspector Gadget & there is not mixing in food, I waste the food and the expensive medication, supplement or remedy. It is a total waste. Pill Pockets never worked for us either, again some cats it does.

Over the years, I have found the above method to work nicely & it can take a few times before you get it down.

Sometimes people pick their cat up and bring them somewhere to pill them (that is just fine). I find it works best for us if I go to them wherever they are and just squat down to them.

Hugs to you both, I know you have a resolution for now & I am a bit late but this may help at some point in future. :bighug:
 
Just talked to the vet and found out that the meds we have been using are the correct ones for the bacteria and fungal infections. Callie has to take them at least one more month and then we will go from there. Next step is really trying to get her diabetes controlled. Hopefully things will continue to look up.
 
Good news that the meds are the right ones
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Hopefully Callie can get rid of all those problems quickly and you will "just" have to deal with the diabetes.

:bighug: :bighug:
 
Glad she's some better. As you say, baby steps. Fungal infections take awhile to clear. Sending prayers and healing thoughts for sweet Callie.:bighug:
 
Unfortunately I woke up to Callie breathing a little harder today. I guess that means another trip to the vet. I was hoping the antibiotics had kicked in and we weren't going to have the fluid problem again. I guess I was wrong. I'm not sure how much of this Callie and I can take but don't know what to do.
 
I'm so sorry she's having problems again.
:bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
Sending prayers and healing thoughts for your sweet Callie
 
Lisa

Sorry to hear that Callie is having problems again. I had hoped with all the tests and meds that they had found the right thing to clear up this problem.

Sending prayers and healing energy :bighug: :bighug:
 
My sweet Callie went into cardiac arrest right after we got to the vet. I guess she was telling me she had enough. She will be missed so much.
 
Lisa and Callie said:
My sweet Callie went into cardiac arrest right after we got to the vet. I guess she was telling me she had enough. She will be missed so much.
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((((LISA))))

OMG I am SO sorry to hear this news. My heart and tears go out to you. You and Callie fought a valiant battle but Callie's poor little body just was not up to any more fighting. Callie could not have had better care or a more loving caregiver than you.


Hold onto the special happy memories to give you strength and peace at this sad sad time.

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:bighug: :bighug: :bighug: :bighug:
 
I am so sorry to here that news. She was a fighter till the end. She will be waiting for you when it's your turn to go over the bridge. I truly believe that all the pets we loved from mouse, cats, dogs and horses will be reunited with us.
 
Oh, ((((Lisa)))))
I am profoundly sorry for the loss of your beautiful Callie.
You both fought so hard. But it was 'her time'....

You were blessed in having each other in your lives. xxx

Fly free sweet spirit-Callie. Land softly in Lisa's aching heart...

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Thanks everyone for all of your help during this last month and a half. I don't think I could have did it without y'all. Callie will be missed so much. I didn't even realize it at first but this was the second anniversary of my dogs death. I'm sure she is hissing at him now. Blessings toeveryone for caring so much about our fur babies.
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Lisa, I'm SO sorry it was sweet Callie's time to leave.....BIG HUGE looooooooong hug. Remember - she's not 'gone', you just have to hug her differently. I know words don't help take away the pain but when your heart mends a bit, you'll know she's there.

Soar high on your new angel wings Callie...landing softly back in your family's broken hearts.

More hugs and prayers,
 
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