Hi everyone,
I’m looking for some advice on how to give my cat his tablets, as I’m completely out of ideas. He’s been on antibiotics for four weeks now for pyelonephritis (a kidney infection), and he has chewable tablets to take (specifically, three small tablets to get his full dose). I’ve tried several methods that worked for a while, but it’s becoming more and more difficult.
At first, I tried giving him the tablet directly since they’re supposed to be palatable, but he wouldn’t touch them. So, I started crushing the tablets into a creamy treat and letting him lick it up. That worked until he started refusing to lick it altogether. I then bought some special pill-hider treats from a few different brands, using two treats with 1.5 tablets in each. To begin with, he took them with no problems; I even gave him some without any medication so he wouldn’t always associate the treat with the tablets. But he won’t take those anymore either. He either ignores them, spits them out, or flicks them out of his bowl if I leave them in there. Even the treats without the medication don't interest him anymore. I tried putting the three tablets into an empty capsule and using a pill popper, but it’s impossible. He struggles way too much, even with two of us holding him; it’s just as stressful for him as it is for us.
Now, I’m crushing the tablets and mixing them into the gravy of his wet food, but he has a bit of a funny way of eating: he licks the gravy first, then eats the chunks but always leaves some behind. I’m never certain if he’s licked up all the gravy and therefore had the full dose. I’ve also tried the crushed tablets in a tiny amount of creamy treat smeared on his paws so he’ll lick it off. He doesn’t enjoy it, but it seems to work, though once again, I’m not 100% sure he’s getting the full dose.
We’ve had a new urine culture done, and the preliminary results show that the bacteria responsible for the kidney infection has gone, but he has a new UTI and will have to change antibiotics. This time it’s one to be taken morning and night, also as a palatable chewable tablet. I have to wait for confirmation tomorrow or Tuesday to make the switch, but I’m already dreading the ‘battle’ twice a day...
Is there anything else I can try? He’ll have to take this new antibiotic for at least two weeks... Thanks in advance!
