10/17 Cooper AMPS 226 +2 194 +5 118 +6 109 PMPS 149

Gabrielle17

Gabrielle17

Member Since 2023
Hi there!

I want to thank all of you for all of your suggestions to help Cooper's constipation. A combo of Miralax and pumpkin really, really helped. I've been having stress dreams about him and waking up through the night lol!

Unfortunately I couldn't get the Cerenia and Ondansetron in him this morning. He stopping taking it in a bit of cheese, so I had started simply opening his mouth, tipping his head back, and dropping them in. He was not having it this morning, and I feel bad that I feel like I took advantage of his exceedingly good nature. He forgave me after some freeze dried chicken treats. I'll be working on finding a better way tonight.

I'm still worried about him otherwise, but I'm just trying to wait to see what the vet says when we go Thursday before I get myself too worked up.

Yesterday's thread:
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/thr...-66-7-25-59-10-69-pmps-84-2-113-4-130.282556/
 
I pill Clover, who is not the easiest cat to pull by putting her on my lap and holding her scruff, and opening her mouth with my finger (other hand) then pop the pill into the mouth. If you don’t want to hold him on your lap you can just kneel and do it that way. I never tried to put the pill in anything. I give her a pill every morning and it is now easy….well easier;)
 
Gabrielle17 said:
Ah, okay, so it was just my technique that needs a little work! Poor Cooper was a frothy mess because the pill got all into his mouth. I felt so horrible lol. I will try this. Thank you! :cat:
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If it is causing him to froth…you might need a gelcap. There are some pills that do cause frothing in the mouth and it is horrible for the cats. I used to put Sheba’s tramadol tablets into a gelcap because they caused frothing in the mouth. You can buy them online. If I remember correctly, the higher the number the smaller the gelcap. @tiffmaxee have you used gelcaps?
 
I am sorry things are getting harder for you, Christine.
I am wondering if he would like those lickable treats, like Chuuru?
It's not much calories but it's something (and low carb).
It's so hard to see our kitty not eating well - I totally can relate to that. Their QOL depends on eating so much....
Hope things gets a bit easier and less stressful :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
If it is causing him to froth…you might need a gelcap.
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Yes, I believe @Wendy&Neko mentioned those! He didn't froth the way I was doing it, but I was really good at dropping it right down far enough to where it didn't touch his tongue, so I didn't think I would need them. Now I think it would be a better idea to get the gelcaps so the poor guy doesn't have to go through that again in the event that I don't do it correctly. Wish I could just pick them up at the store for tonight!
 
Have you tried a pill shooter? They are a lifesaver for some. I use it always with Penny (my CKD cat), as she takes 6 pills a day at various times. It also helps to chase it with a little water in a food syringe, dry pilling can be uncomfortable for them sometimes too. Just a tiny bit though, so they don't aspirate.
 
allicatmeow said:
Have you tried a pill shooter?
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I haven't tried this, but I did read about it just now as I was looking at the gelcaps. It's definitely a thought! And yes, I wish I'd done the water chaser this whole time. I did this morning to get the taste out of his mouth and he seemed thankful lol.
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
Some people love the pill popper. I could never get the gist of it and it has sat in the back of the cupboard for years.
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Yes, I might run out and get those today just to try it since the gelcaps will take some time to get here. It seems like I am going to the store daily for this guy. :rolleyes:
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
I pill Clover, who is not the easiest cat to pull by putting her on my lap and holding her scruff, and opening her mouth with my finger (other hand) then pop the pill into the mouth. If you don’t want to hold him on your lap you can just kneel and do it that way. I never tried to put the pill in anything. I give her a pill every morning and it is now easy….well easier;)
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I also pill Ivy with no food involved. I gave her Cerenia a few weeks ago, just tilting her chin up and popped the pill in back, gently close mouth, stroke under chin. Sometimes blow gently on her face causing her to swallow.
Then I give a small amount water via syringe to wash down the pill (to the side of mouth, not down back of throat).
I also give Denamaren pill daily same way. She is used to it so no real problem. Sometimes she spits it out. I then just do it again. Calm and steady.
I hope some of our techniques may give you ideas to try Gabrielle! :bighug::bighug:
 
Gabrielle,
Sorry I called you Christine - my sleep deprived head isn't in the right place this morning.
But totally my bad.
Call me anything in return!
 
Staci & Ivy said:
I hope some of our techniques may give you ideas to try Gabrielle! :bighug::bighug:
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Definitely so helpful! My neighbor/friend is a vet tech and showed me how to give the water safely, and I'm sure that will make a big difference as well. Wish I would have been doing it this whole time for Cooper's comfort. Thank you for the tips! :joyful:
 
Gabrielle17 said:
Definitely so helpful! My neighbor/friend is a vet tech and showed me how to give the water safely, and I'm sure that will make a big difference as well. Wish I would have been doing it this whole time for Cooper's comfort. Thank you for the tips! :joyful:
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It’s constant learning! You’re doing just great for Cooper :bighug:
 
Cerenia is bitter, can definitely cause them to foam in the mouth. Gelcaps (size 5 the smallest or size 4) for smallish meds, might need to go as high as size 3 for larger meds. Kind of depends on his Cerenia dose size which you need. I used the #5 for single pills and 4 for multiple. Sometimes coating the gelcap with butter will help it slide down easier. I loved the pill shooter, I could also use it for gelcaps. The one I had also had a small reservoir of water which it would shoot in after. For pill poppers/shooters, it's essential to get one sized for your hands. I went through a couple where I couldn't "shoot" cause the barrel was too long.
 
Hi Gabrielle. Sorry to hear you had problem with giving Cooper his pills. i know how concerning it is and how worked up we can get with trying to feed them. I'm happy to hear that the constipation resolved. I had similar situation with Fistuk both with giving anti nausea and the conspitaion. hang in there, it gets better :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Wendy&Neko said:
The one I had also had a small reservoir of water which it would shoot in after. For pill poppers/shooters, it's essential to get one sized for your hands. I went through a couple where I couldn't "shoot" cause the barrel was too long.
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That's really neat and handy! And thanks for the tip about the size, I wouldn't have thought about that. Definitely going to get the gelcaps too.
 
I am just seeing this. I use size 4 gelcaps although size 5 might be better for tiny pieces. It was easier to get the 4’s. And even size 3 is fine if multiple pills given.
 
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