Pole, The Pilling Nightmare

Pole and Cleo had always been pilling nightmares since they were young. Why, I cannot even pop in a dewormer and have to take them to the vet’s for that purpose. You can’t crush the pill and put in the food, because they (in fact, all of our cats) will smell it out and eat everything except the parts that contain the bits of the crushed pill.

As I’ve said, if you think Cow is bad, you haven’t seen anything yet.

So, since yesterday, I had been sending good vibes to Pole, hoping that age would have mellowed her down and who knows, maybe she can be pilled now?

�I was a little consoled to know it’s just one tiny pill and half of another tiny pill.

But I know, it’s not the size of the pill, but it’s whether we can even open her mouth to pop those pills in.

Pole knew something was up, so she ran for her life. Luckily, Bunny’s Place is confined, so I eventually caught her. But I know, the atmosphere was already tense.

A long story cut short, it was a total nightmare, even with rest time and repeated attempts. The first white pill was “lost” in transition, I couldn’t find it anywhere on the floor or the furniture, so I would just have to assume it got in somehow though I doubt it. That’s the anti-inflammatory and it’s a pain-killer so I don’t dare give another. But there was still that half of the antibiotic that needed to be fed. By then, it was already wrapped in wetfood and I had to somehow get it down before it got spoilt.

My husband came back and we tried it. Even with two pairs of hands, we could not get to open her mouth or hold her down. She is too strong and ferocious. Nothing worked.

We finally resorted to putting her into the carrier and driving her around. Maybe she won’t be so fierce in the car.

Before that, one last attempt.

Amidst shrieks, yells, struggles and fur flying everywhere, I think the half pill finally got in, all mushy; or whatever that was left of it after many attempts. I think it was also grabbing enough of skin at the scruff of her neck that made it possible to hold her still enough to stuff the pill from the side of the closed mouth. Yes, we could not open her mouth at all. She was all ready to kill.

The experience was totally horrible, and I don’t think it’s worth the stress caused on her (and us).

I might just have to skip the anti-inflammatory this evening since Pole seems to be okay. I have, however, yet to see her urinate, so I am not sure.

Tomorrow, I will drive her to the vet’s for pilling and also for a further examination.

�Busy grooming herself after the nightmare.

I know it’s hard to believe this mild-mannered looking cat can turn into our worst nightmare when it comes to giving her a pill. Her looks belies her strength and determination. Even the vet said she is extremely muscular and strong.

Source: http://myanimalcare.org/2012/07/15/pole-the-pilling-nightmare/

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AnimalCare is a registered society that promotes caregiving to street animals and helps in their neutering and medical needs. AnimalCare has a Medical Fund, Food Fund and Education Fund.

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