Hidiekatt update

[Piparskeggr]

Dr Feldhaus called this evening to let me know that the sample analysis shows neither parasites nor giardia in Miss Hildie.

We will treat her for intestinal inflammation with a low dose of Metronidazole liquid.  May switch to pilling her, which Anita thinks is easier.

[Piparskeggr]

Went back to the liquid today, mixed it with a little honey, Hildie took 1/2 the dose with less struggle.  She still salivated afterwards, but at least got her dosed.  Anita got Hildie to take a half dose this evening.

I spoke with Dr Ironmonger at our vet's satellite clinic (which is much closer to the house) and she said it sounds like we have a good handle on keeping a good eye on Hildie.  She also said that even if we can just get her to take half a dose, that is good.  We talked over and agreed upon a couple of diagnostic methods to try and figure out a better treatment for Hildie.

I have a follow up scheduled for Wednesday morning at the satellite clinic with Dr Bennet, an associate of Drs feldhaus and Ironmonger who is a feline specialist.

[Jade59]

Excellent video demonstration especially with the pill popper.  I really didn't know how that thing worked before now.  I thought it like SHOT the pill down the cats throat making the possibility of choking a big one.  I see now. :)  

Pip, yes, R. gets it FAR back in Jade's throat, that is key.  

Let us know...

[opus88]

Pip....here I found an excellent video for you, of course this is a very willing cat as well..lol
the Vet even shows the pill popper I was talking about

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB_cxAIcuMc

[opus88]

we overlapped there Jade:))

[opus88]

meant to add you have to get the pill FAR back in the throat than hold the jaw closed until they swallow...they will in seconds

[Jade59]

Yeah, kitties will salivate when the pill dissolves even the slightest bit.  What we've done...if first 2 tries don't go well, start over with a New Dry pill.  

Great about the pill pocket.  Hopefully she will eat it with a pill inside!  This is not easy, I feel for you all.    

[opus88]

it'll come, just takes a bit of practice. if the greenies don't work our Vets here use a pill popper..and I got one from them that I used at one time before I got the hang of doing it by hand.
its a long plunger type of apparatus, looks like a syringe but has the rubber fingers on the end, put the pill in the fingers insert in mouth and push the plunger..works awesome.
the excessive drooling is most likely b/c the pill didn't go down the throat, if any pill dissolves in the mouth and tastes bad a cat will drool and or foam at the mouth...good luck:))

[Piparskeggr]

Tried pilling her last night, not successful (Anita's much better at this than am I) after 3 tries.  Hildie's mouth started watering heavily (which I read can be a reaction to this medication).

Bought some Greenies "Pill Pockets" today along with a fish oil appetite enhancer product.

Hildie ate a pill pocket with a little of the oil, so hopefully pilling will work better.

[Jade59]

I understand the concern over the weight as Jade has IBD herself and will often turn her nose up to her meal even though she is clearly hungry.  Pip, we use "PureBites" from Petco which is simply freeze dried chicken, turkey or fish and nothing else.  No preservatives whatsoever.  It has worked like a charm for Jade.  I don't even put a whole piece on top of her food, but rather sprinkle a teeny tiny bit.  The odor is enough to get her eating her entire bowl.  

If you're not using something to get Hildie eating already, I would recommend this in an instant.

For right now though, glad you hit on the kitten chow.  At least Hildie likes it and is eating which is most important.  

[Piparskeggr]

Hit on a (new to Hildie) dry food she likes, Blue Buffalo kitten formula.  She had a nice sized snack of that a little while ago along with a good drink of water.  I figured the kitten chow is more easily digestible and might help her want to eat a little more.

[Jade59]

The butter trick, great idea!  I'll remember that for future reference.

I have never pilled Jade, R has always done it, as I am shaky and have poor vision.  

I do hope Miss Hildie will be feeling back to her sweet self real soon!  

[Piparskeggr]

When we were trying to help sweet Miss Kessie, I would hold her as Anita did the pill insertion, usually put a little butter on it to help with taste. ;)

[Jade59]

What seems to work for my husband and me is I hold Jade up on my shoulder like a baby.  Her head next to my head.  I am sitting.  R then gets her mouth open by squeezing the back of the jaw like you see in videos (we have watched 'how to pill a cat' many times!).  I keep my neck and head stiff to  stop Jade from backing HER head up like she wants to, then pop the pill in real quick.

Ha, that's how WE do it, anyway!  :)

[Piparskeggr]

Got pills will see how this goes.

Miss Hildie does seem to be doing okay, though I'm still concerned about her weight.

[Piparskeggr]

Thanks for the advice, will call the vet tomorrow to get pills.

[Jade59]

I so admire all the single members here who have to medicate their kitties on their own.  That is impressive, and got to be a challenge!  

[AppleBr]

Pilling is my choice,always!!! I do it alone since my first cat moma's days :-)
Just did it again yesterday: twice kids,once Lo ( antiworm).Kids take 1 and a half pill so I have to do this way- thats the way you become an "expert"...
No vomits or scared cats :-)

[Jade59]

Hi Pip...pilling IS actually easier imo.  Not nearly the chance of choking like with liquid.  We have choked Jade many times, and it's really scary to hear and see her coughing.  Either way is no fun, but pilling with 2 people is much easier than dealing with liquid, I think.  

Good luck! :)