Injuries, infections, and many treatable physical issues in cats demand early medical intervention to ensure a quick recovery. Even if you have a fair idea of treating your sick pet, a valid prescription and vet note containing a medication list, the correct dosage, and the frequency of administration is essential to hopefully heal your furry baby safely and effectively.
Instead of going by the directions printed on the medications available over the counter, consult your vet for specific usage instructions. Administering cat medications can be challenging, but with the right tactics you can accomplish the task with fewer hassles. Setting your kitty cat on the path to better health and happiness is easy with the quick and efficient tips mentioned below.
At the same time, consider being prepared with a medical financial backup in terms of pet insurance because health circumstances are not always predictable. Cat insurance helps tackle unexpected vet bills without compromising the quality of healthcare, which is why you must contemplate buying a policy. Meanwhile, read on to learn how to administer some common cat medications.
When you should not give your cat medications
Administer medications only if your feline is fully conscious. Don’t give medicines when your pet is lying down, having a seizure, being aggressive, having breathing difficulty, vomiting, and showing restlessness. Note that you must give only those medications recommended by your vet.
1. Pills/capsules
It is common for vets to prescribe tablets or capsules to treat various acute and chronic medical conditions. Getting the medication into a cat’s mouth can be challenging, especially if it senses that something will be shoved down its throat in the next few seconds.
In a case like this, you can hide the medication in your cat’s food or a tasty treat and feed it. Make sure that your cat doesn’t spit it out and swallows it along with the food/treat portion provided. Don’t try this tactic if your cat is already suffering from gastrointestinal troubles because your cat will most likely throw up the food and medication.
Consider exploring commercially available pill guns that help administer medications. This way, you will not need to introduce your hand into your cat’s mouth to give it medicine.
2. Medicated drops and liquids
These are much easier to give your cat than tablets and capsules. Use an eyedropper, measuring cup, or syringe to measure the medicated liquid correctly. This way, you can be sure that you are administering the right dosage.
3. Eye medications
Hold your cat’s head firmly with the help of one hand and raise the upper eyelid while slantly holding the eye medication bottle using the other hand. Don’t touch the bottle dispenser’s tip to your cat’s eye surface while dropping the medicated liquid or placing the ointment into the eye.
4. Ear medications
Stand by the side or back of your cat’s ear that needs to be treated. Gently touch and find the middle of the ear opening and administer drops or place ointment over there. After this, slowly massage the ear base, so the medicine runs deeper into the ear.
Medicating a furball can seem really tough the first time, but with the right tricks up your sleeve and constant practice, you can establish methods that work for you and your cat. While some health issues can be addressed using home remedies, others may require elaborate testing and treatments.
Unplanned vet bills can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on the severity of the issue. This is one reason why you must consider being prepared with pet insurance. Contemplate purchasing cat insurance so getting your fluffy baby quality medical help can be less financially stressful.
