cat won't eat

My 7 year old cat had been in pain for quit some time and eating caused him more pain, leading to him eventually not eat at all. He would run away every time he saw me with his food dish. I took him to the Vet and 2 teeth were extracted (one was an upper canine). Since then he still has not eaten and I need to give him medication for pain and anti-b's. In past times I would crush it and mix in with his food. I have tried baby food, syringe, tuna ... just about anything to intice him to eat. Finally tonight he ate a little bit of canned food but is still having trouble with pain. Any ideas on how I can get him more interested in eating again? (So I can slip his medication into his food) P.S. I've tried just giving him the pills but he just spits them out and runs & hides. I'd really rather not add to what trauma he's already been through.

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

There are several liquid medications that may help for the pain, Metacam and Prednisolone.  Prednisolone has an added advantage in that it also has a side-effect of increasing the appetite.  Ask your vet if you can try them for your cat.

If his appetite is still decreased your vet can give him appetite stimulants.  They can be made into liquids to squirt in his mouth.  The appetite stimulants are: Cyproheptidine and Mirtazipine.

Lastly, it would be a good idea to identify where the pain is originating from, if not entirely from his teeth.