We have started ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
julian_tiger on a pill that is supposed to be an appetite stimulant in cats: 1/4 tablet every three days. Now, Julian is a fairly smart cat, and apparently has learned to recognize the sounds and/or motions of me opening a pill bottle and breaking a tablet in half on the kitchen counter.
His response to noticing this was to walk over and wait next to me. So I said "that's right, you're going to get a treat," used the pill cutter to slice a half-tablet in half again, wrapped it in the pill pocket stuff he likes, and fed it to him. Now, if only he could learn to like the subcutaneous fluids (which the vet recommends at least every other day).
Addendum: After three or four tries, we got Julian wrapped in a towel and holding still long enough to get at least some fluids into him. I think he got 75 cc today; the goal is 100-150, probably 150/dose if we're only doing every other day.
Also, I cut up some blueberries* as a possible treat/distraction, based partly on what![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
anne had said about getting fluids into her cat. It wasn't practical to give them to Julian before or while we were giving him the fluids, but he happily ate every bit of them afterwards. And then stalked off to his food bowl for some kibble, which is also good: maybe he's just feeling better, or maybe the appetite stimulant is already starting to work.
*despite the instructions for the Ideologically Labile Fruit Crisp, I don't think I need to consult a therapist.
julian_tiger on a pill that is supposed to be an appetite stimulant in cats: 1/4 tablet every three days. Now, Julian is a fairly smart cat, and apparently has learned to recognize the sounds and/or motions of me opening a pill bottle and breaking a tablet in half on the kitchen counter.His response to noticing this was to walk over and wait next to me. So I said "that's right, you're going to get a treat," used the pill cutter to slice a half-tablet in half again, wrapped it in the pill pocket stuff he likes, and fed it to him. Now, if only he could learn to like the subcutaneous fluids (which the vet recommends at least every other day).
Addendum: After three or four tries, we got Julian wrapped in a towel and holding still long enough to get at least some fluids into him. I think he got 75 cc today; the goal is 100-150, probably 150/dose if we're only doing every other day.
Also, I cut up some blueberries* as a possible treat/distraction, based partly on what
anne had said about getting fluids into her cat. It wasn't practical to give them to Julian before or while we were giving him the fluids, but he happily ate every bit of them afterwards. And then stalked off to his food bowl for some kibble, which is also good: maybe he's just feeling better, or maybe the appetite stimulant is already starting to work.*despite the instructions for the Ideologically Labile Fruit Crisp, I don't think I need to consult a therapist.