Question about giving medicine to a cat:

[shadu]

I have to administer
panacur cream directly into the back of
the mouth via needleless syringe.
How do I get the cat to open her mouth?

[mrboba1]

1. Let her bite the shit out of you and hang on

but make sure you are up to date on your tetanus shots...

:evilgrin:

[shadu]

3. She is a very gentle cat

[ChickMagic]

2. Here's what I do

I gently squeeze the jaw hinge with my fingers inside the kitty lips. You have to do this VERY gently. You have to be quick on the draw with the med. I do this while kneeling, and have the kitty between my legs, again very gently, squeezing his sides to restrict his movements. Also, give him/her a treat afterwards and a lot of attention to associate it with something good.

[rbnyc]

12. Yep. This works best for me too.

I have to give my kitty medicine 3 times a day, and that's just how I do it. It works very well.

[ChickMagic]

13. It was trial and error on my part

One day when my boss was complaining that her son kept running away when she tried to give him medicine, I explained this technique and said, "May I recommend a salmon treat and a plastic lobster toy?" She had tears in her eyes laughing. :)

[rbnyc]

15. LOL!

Too funny.

[shadu]

19. I will try that. Otherwise I will dip the syringe in cat nip

This was only a three treatment series

[ChickMagic]

20. Just be sure

you pet her a lot while she's in position before you manipulate her jaw. After the treatment is over, you may want to put her in this position a couple of times a week and rub your fingers across her teeth. That way, she'll be used to being manipulated if you have to give her medicine in the future.

[Guy Fawkes]

4. Two things you can do...

put you fingers between the cat's jaws, forcing its mouth open. Or, you can feed it catnip.

[calico1]

5. This is what I do:

Get a large towel or a blanket and wrap the cat up like a "burrito" so only the head sticks out. Make sure the front paws are secured.

[eleny]

6. Stick your finger in from the side

Then get the syringe in from the other side when you get the mouth open. After you get the meds in, tip the kitty's chin upward a little and stroke the throat gently. That stroking action creates the need for them to swallow.

Good luck!

[sui generis]

8. this is the correct technique

if you insert the syringe from where the cats "molars" would be they automatically open their mouth for a second and you can administer it before they even know it's happened.

You will need to reassure your kitty after you're done that you aren't crazy and that this isn't some heinous punishment - strokes and snacks and some playtime are good.

[shadu]

18. I'm not fast enough to make that work

That requires Kung Fu expert timing!

[LynneSin]

7. What if you dip the syringe in some wet cat food first

so it smells good

:shrug:

[shadu]

17. I used the syringe like a spoon

On my fifth syringe/spoonful I squirted the juice.
This worked well. I doubt this will work tomorrow, however.

[DS1]

9. I suggest medicated paintballs

and a fully auto paintball gun :shrug:

[R3dD0g]

10. Our little kitty almost died this winter.

She had a very serious liver malfunction. We doctored her every day.

The best advice has already been offered - wrap it tightly in a blanket and hold it frimly between your legs (or have SO hold it). Then open mouth with finger in far side and inject from near side.

Good luck.

BTW our kitty survived and is doing very well. Taurine is essential for old cats, make sure the food you buy contains it if your cat is older than about 10.

[shadu]

11. Lots of good ideas here

[jukes]

14. shadu

ginbarn has recommended the best technique. hold muzzle closed & gently stroke throat to facilitate swallowing.

[Richard D]

16. It's a spoof, but funny.

http://www.mamarocks.com/how_to_give_your_cat_a_pill.htm

[Eurobabe]

21. My guy is on oral amoxicillin for bladder infection

It has taken two of us to give him the syringe. Hold the kitty slightly upright on his back. (You can do this alone, but it's dicier and you may get clawed!)

Put your finger in the corner of his mouth, eject meds then stand back, rub his nose -- works like a charm! My cat is goofy, seems to not mind the slight strawberry flavor of the liquid.

Believe me, liquids are better than pilling, any day of the week. Good luck! -Crozet