The week before last, Buttons began sneezing on Thursday morning. He’s had bouts of sneezing before and has also had cat flu when I first adopted him. Anyway, I figured I’d monitor him to see how he was going. He didn’t really improve by Friday night and was still sneezing a lot and was just very sooky. He was clingy to Z and me and even slept under the doona with me on Friday night all curled up near my stomach unlike on the top near my feet.
So on Saturday, I took him in to the vet and well, the cat flu was confirmed. He didn’t have a fever but the flu meant two things: antibiotics and eye drops. Twice a day. {The vet must hate me!}
Yep.
For a cat.
Whatcha lookin at me for?
If you think it’s hard to give those to a child, well, let me tell you this: it’s no picnic with a cat either. Especially a cat like Buttons who will eat my hair on the carpet but will refuse medication of any sort.
These were my options which I can share when your cat has the flu:
1. Hide it in his food: Well, that hasn’t worked with his worming medication because unlike Pebbles, he is sneaky enough to eat around it and leave the tiny little pill staring at you from the bowl. So it was ruled out pretty early on.
2. Be deft like the vet and pop it in his mouth while he is distracted and clinging to his mum. Given that I’m his mum, that wasn’t going to work. Obviously. Z is asleep in the mornings so I still had to figure out another distraction strategy before work if I was to use her.
3. Reason with Buttons: I honestly tried. I explained to Buttons why I needed to give him something he didn’t like. How it was for his own good. His blank look told me he didn’t give a shit and was not going to cave.
4. Wrap him in a towel and force feed him the medication and put the eye drops. This worked the last time I had to put an eye ointment back in 2012. But the trick here is to actually catch him before he figures out what’s going on. It worked the first day. I caught him and held him while he squirmed and made noises like I was killing him. And post-medication and eye drop, he hid under the bed. {Until the treat came out!}
5. Chase and wrestle: Sadly, it’s been option five that has been my go-to option. Not the best. But I’m sure it’s quite comical to see a 5 foot woman chase after a cat and try and grab him before he hides under the bed or the tables, hold him between her knees, ignore the whiney sounds like he is being strangled, hold his head and pry open his mouth, pop in the pill and then open his eyes to put the drops — all while trying not to get mauled scratched!
If I close my eyes, mum won’t see me!
I think he’s just a tad bit traumatised by this event happening for the last 10 mornings and evenings. But he still comes for a cuddle at night. Which I am thankful for.
I just wish he would understand it’s for his own good…
How hard can that be?
How do you struggle to medicate your pets?
Do share!
***Linking with Emily and Vanessa for Laugh Link Up and Alicia for Open Slather***
P.S. Have you entered the Imperfect Giveaway yet? Entries close on the 31st July!
Until next time,
Cheers!!!
Joanna
14 July 2014 at 10:04 amHaha, oh dear! You need option 6 – have the vet give an injectable antibiotic and avoid tablets all together! Hoping Buttons has an uneventful recovery and you come out of it with all your fingers intact 🙂
Joanna recently posted…Diabetes in Cats Part 1 – What Does a Cat with Diabetes Look Like?
Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life
14 July 2014 at 8:50 pmHmm…not sure I’d cope giving an injection…he’s still struggle and run away from me I’m sure. And knowing me, I’d probably inject myself! 😛
Joanna
14 July 2014 at 10:04 amHaha, oh dear! You need option 6 – have the vet give an injectable antibiotic and avoid tablets all together! Hoping Buttons has an uneventful recovery and you come out of it with all your fingers intact 🙂
Joanna recently posted…Diabetes in Cats Part 1 – What Does a Cat with Diabetes Look Like?
Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life
14 July 2014 at 8:50 pmHmm…not sure I’d cope giving an injection…he’s still struggle and run away from me I’m sure. And knowing me, I’d probably inject myself! 😛
Deborah
14 July 2014 at 10:29 amOh, how frustrating. I don’t have cats but have cat-sat a few times and was relieved when flea stuff came in drops you could put on their fur etc rather than try to shove a tablet in their mouth!
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Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life
14 July 2014 at 8:59 pmOh yeah, the flea stuff is a breeze now compared to worming tablets and any other meds! 😛 And to think I used to complain about that before…
Deborah
14 July 2014 at 10:29 amOh, how frustrating. I don’t have cats but have cat-sat a few times and was relieved when flea stuff came in drops you could put on their fur etc rather than try to shove a tablet in their mouth!
Deborah recently posted…Where are they now: Pizza Hut
Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life
14 July 2014 at 8:59 pmOh yeah, the flea stuff is a breeze now compared to worming tablets and any other meds! 😛 And to think I used to complain about that before…
Alicia
14 July 2014 at 11:07 amI guess maybe he knows you are making him better. Cute cat! I hate giving worm tabs to the dog, it’s grosse having to shove that thing down it’s throat. Yuk. I get the frustration of seeing that little pill eaten all around at the bottom of the bowl, cheeky sods!
Alicia recently posted…Red Lentil and Sweet Potato Soup
Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life
14 July 2014 at 9:00 pmHaha…good to know other pets do that too and it’s not just my cheeky cat! 🙂
Alicia
14 July 2014 at 11:07 amI guess maybe he knows you are making him better. Cute cat! I hate giving worm tabs to the dog, it’s grosse having to shove that thing down it’s throat. Yuk. I get the frustration of seeing that little pill eaten all around at the bottom of the bowl, cheeky sods!
Alicia recently posted…Red Lentil and Sweet Potato Soup
Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life
14 July 2014 at 9:00 pmHaha…good to know other pets do that too and it’s not just my cheeky cat! 🙂
floodproofmum
14 July 2014 at 4:05 pmThanks for this info. I did not know about cat flu and ours has been sneezing which we all thought was curious because she makes us all sneeze haha. Will keep an eye on her 🙂
Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life
14 July 2014 at 9:04 pmLol…didn’t realise cats could make you sneeze…I was worried we could catch the flu but google told me it’s not possible! 😛 But yeah, do keep an eye on her…apparently, they have the virus and it can be triggered by stress.
floodproofmum
14 July 2014 at 4:05 pmThanks for this info. I did not know about cat flu and ours has been sneezing which we all thought was curious because she makes us all sneeze haha. Will keep an eye on her 🙂
Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life
14 July 2014 at 9:04 pmLol…didn’t realise cats could make you sneeze…I was worried we could catch the flu but google told me it’s not possible! 😛 But yeah, do keep an eye on her…apparently, they have the virus and it can be triggered by stress.
Me-er
14 July 2014 at 5:47 pmSo cute you are.. You tried reasoning with your cat.. 🙂 I hope he is well now.. 🙂
Me-er recently posted…One wish.
Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life
14 July 2014 at 9:07 pmHaha…that I did! 😀 He is getting better…still 2 more days worth of meds though… 😐
Me-er
14 July 2014 at 5:47 pmSo cute you are.. You tried reasoning with your cat.. 🙂 I hope he is well now.. 🙂
Me-er recently posted…One wish.
Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life
14 July 2014 at 9:07 pmHaha…that I did! 😀 He is getting better…still 2 more days worth of meds though… 😐
Mark
14 July 2014 at 6:21 pmAs a committed dog person and cat avoider I wonder what the fuss is about?
Only kidding! Good on you for caring for your pussy cat
Mark recently posted…How About These Dr Who Merchandise Ideas!
Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life
14 July 2014 at 9:08 pmHaha…I bet it would be equally hard with dogs, wouldn’t it? P. S. My cats will make you stop avoiding cats — they have an identity crisis and think they are dogs! 😀
Mark
14 July 2014 at 6:21 pmAs a committed dog person and cat avoider I wonder what the fuss is about?
Only kidding! Good on you for caring for your pussy cat
Mark recently posted…How About These Dr Who Merchandise Ideas!
Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life
14 July 2014 at 9:08 pmHaha…I bet it would be equally hard with dogs, wouldn’t it? P. S. My cats will make you stop avoiding cats — they have an identity crisis and think they are dogs! 😀
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me
14 July 2014 at 6:32 pmYou crack me up – there is no reasoning with a cat, they simply hate doing things they don’t want to do! Gorgeous pussy cat, and nice and cuddly looking too! Thanks for linking 🙂
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me recently posted…Six signs you’re a Harry Hoarder! – Laugh Linkup
Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life
14 July 2014 at 9:12 pmHaha…he is very cuddly and very tubby! He’s actually lost weight since last year! 😛
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me
14 July 2014 at 6:32 pmYou crack me up – there is no reasoning with a cat, they simply hate doing things they don’t want to do! Gorgeous pussy cat, and nice and cuddly looking too! Thanks for linking 🙂
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me recently posted…Six signs you’re a Harry Hoarder! – Laugh Linkup
Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life
14 July 2014 at 9:12 pmHaha…he is very cuddly and very tubby! He’s actually lost weight since last year! 😛
Sarah Mac
14 July 2014 at 6:48 pmI had to de-flea and worm 2 cats and a dog last week AND bath the dog which he hates so I feel for you – the cat stuff was luckily drops on the back of the neck but the dog was tablets (hidden in lots of ham) – hope Buttons is feeling better very soon.
Sarah Mac recently posted…A Poem (and some poo …)
Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life
14 July 2014 at 9:20 pmHaha…the flea drops have now become a piece of cake {though I used to complain about that before!} But I totally feel for you re bathing the dog. I tried bathing my other kitten Pebbles when she was a baby and she nearly scratched the hell out of me…never again! 😛
Sarah Mac
14 July 2014 at 6:48 pmI had to de-flea and worm 2 cats and a dog last week AND bath the dog which he hates so I feel for you – the cat stuff was luckily drops on the back of the neck but the dog was tablets (hidden in lots of ham) – hope Buttons is feeling better very soon.
Sarah Mac recently posted…A Poem (and some poo …)
Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life
14 July 2014 at 9:20 pmHaha…the flea drops have now become a piece of cake {though I used to complain about that before!} But I totally feel for you re bathing the dog. I tried bathing my other kitten Pebbles when she was a baby and she nearly scratched the hell out of me…never again! 😛
Bikram
14 July 2014 at 7:37 pmnow that sounds a lot of work, well i dont have a pet here in uk .. but back home I know the trouble and it was like a wrestling match when a medicine had to be given ..
hope buttons get well soooon ver ysoooooooooooooooooon
Bikram’s
Bikram recently posted…Gold
Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life
14 July 2014 at 9:23 pmThanks Bikram! 🙂
Bikram
14 July 2014 at 7:37 pmnow that sounds a lot of work, well i dont have a pet here in uk .. but back home I know the trouble and it was like a wrestling match when a medicine had to be given ..
hope buttons get well soooon ver ysoooooooooooooooooon
Bikram’s
Bikram recently posted…Gold
Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life
14 July 2014 at 9:23 pmThanks Bikram! 🙂
Suzy
14 July 2014 at 9:26 pmHope your cat feels better soon. Cute little cat.
Suzy recently posted…UBC Jul 14 – The First Step
Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life
14 July 2014 at 9:28 pmThanks Suzy…he’s definitely getting better! 🙂
Suzy
14 July 2014 at 9:26 pmHope your cat feels better soon. Cute little cat.
Suzy recently posted…UBC Jul 14 – The First Step
Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life
14 July 2014 at 9:28 pmThanks Suzy…he’s definitely getting better! 🙂
Kajal
14 July 2014 at 9:30 pmAm sure that can be tough, especially when one does not know how the med tastes plus they can’t even express as much. Hope your pet gets better soon 🙂 Take care!
Kajal recently posted…Rapture
Kajal
14 July 2014 at 9:30 pmAm sure that can be tough, especially when one does not know how the med tastes plus they can’t even express as much. Hope your pet gets better soon 🙂 Take care!
Kajal recently posted…Rapture
Pinky Poinker
14 July 2014 at 10:11 pmI hope you don’t mind me saying this but your cat looks like he enjoys his tucker. My cat would rip the shreds off me if I tried to give it medication. I’ve put worm stuff in its food and it refuses to eat it. The dogs? No worries. We just shove it down their necks. But the cat… that’s a whole different story 🙂
Pinky Poinker recently posted…The End of School Holidays
Pinky Poinker
14 July 2014 at 10:11 pmI hope you don’t mind me saying this but your cat looks like he enjoys his tucker. My cat would rip the shreds off me if I tried to give it medication. I’ve put worm stuff in its food and it refuses to eat it. The dogs? No worries. We just shove it down their necks. But the cat… that’s a whole different story 🙂
Pinky Poinker recently posted…The End of School Holidays
Shilpa Garg
14 July 2014 at 10:24 pmI was imagining all the scenarios in my head and am smiling that you explained it to Buttons! How cute is that! Hope Buttons gets well soon 🙂
Shilpa Garg recently posted…The Malhotra Bride
Shilpa Garg
14 July 2014 at 10:24 pmI was imagining all the scenarios in my head and am smiling that you explained it to Buttons! How cute is that! Hope Buttons gets well soon 🙂
Shilpa Garg recently posted…The Malhotra Bride
Janet aka Middle Aged Mama
15 July 2014 at 9:04 pmOh poor Buttons (and poor Buttons’ mama!) – hope he is feeling better soon!
Janet aka Middle Aged Mama recently posted…Fun for Teens & COMP!
Janet aka Middle Aged Mama
15 July 2014 at 9:04 pmOh poor Buttons (and poor Buttons’ mama!) – hope he is feeling better soon!
Janet aka Middle Aged Mama recently posted…Fun for Teens & COMP!
Rajlakshmi
15 July 2014 at 9:19 pmohh my that is really tough. Even after mixing the medicine in food these clever creatures somehow figure out.
Hope he gets well soon.
Rajlakshmi recently posted…A Happy Happy Post
Rajlakshmi
15 July 2014 at 9:19 pmohh my that is really tough. Even after mixing the medicine in food these clever creatures somehow figure out.
Hope he gets well soon.
Rajlakshmi recently posted…A Happy Happy Post
richa singh
16 July 2014 at 6:29 pmAww so cute that he still comes to you and curls 🙂 pets esp cats adorable! Me no have any pet hence no tips 🙁
richa singh recently posted…Controlling the blogger’s block!
richa singh
16 July 2014 at 6:29 pmAww so cute that he still comes to you and curls 🙂 pets esp cats adorable! Me no have any pet hence no tips 🙁
richa singh recently posted…Controlling the blogger’s block!
Fab
21 July 2014 at 11:13 amI know this must have been a tough time for Buttons and you, but it was really funny to read!!! ‘His blank look said that he didn’t give a shit’ LOL!! By the way, Buttons is really cute and oh-so-huggable 🙂
Fab recently posted…Morning Musings
Fab
21 July 2014 at 11:13 amI know this must have been a tough time for Buttons and you, but it was really funny to read!!! ‘His blank look said that he didn’t give a shit’ LOL!! By the way, Buttons is really cute and oh-so-huggable 🙂
Fab recently posted…Morning Musings