We have 7 cats. One is 6, 2 are 4, one is 3, one is 6 months and two are 8 weeks (just a little background info ).

Anyway, last night, one of the 4 year olds (a male) started acting really creepy... very lethargic, couldn't urinate, looked miserable. Today, he kept getting worse. Finally (duh!) I ran like crazy to get him to the vet before they closed (we are pretty new in the area and have not yet estalished a relationship with a vet here). Turns out he has a urinary tract blockage (not terribly uncommon) and would have died had we not attended to it right away. This has happened in the past with another of our cats.

All day, my 13 year old son was in tears worrying about this cat.. there is nothing more heartbreaking for me than seeing my sensitive son in tears. Turns out our cat will be ok... we caught it early. Even though we can't afford the vet bill, we can't *not* afford the vet bill, if you know what I mean.

Vicki

That seems to be a common problem for cats. I'm glad yours is ok!

Thanks! I'm glad, too. He is a really mellow, HUGE, lovey cat. I would really miss him if the worst happened.

Vicki

It's good to hear he's doing ok.

I'm glad you got the cat to the vet, and all is well. My sister and brother in law lost one cat to that, and had a huge bill for its brother that survived it.

Hope your cat is okay Vicki.

Oh my how terrible. That is a very scary thing to deal with. And your poor son, he's just gonna be overjoyed to have that cat back.

Well, I called the vet this morning, and they did the procedure right after I left last night, and he is fine and resting comfortably. I get to pick him up this afternoon.

Phew!

Vicki

Its afternoon here is the cat home yet?

I'm glad to hear that things are OK.

Yes, Peanut is home now. I have to give him antibiotics (pill form... not fun!) for a week then take him back Saturday for a check up. He looks so much better... and acts so much better. He even let me give him his pill without too much drama (just enough to let me know he wasn't happy about it)

This cat is probably my favorite of all of ours... he is calm, serene, gorgeous... and huge. And he loves me. If I am sitting down, he is in my lap, purring up a storm. I'm very glad he is home and ok.

thanks for caring

Vicki

When I had my dog I would use peanut butter to give her pills. With the pill covered in peanut butter she would gulp it right down. Don't know if it will work for cats though.

We used to put the pills in some fresh hamburger . Should work with cats as well as dogs depending on the hardness of the pill.

I heard cheese works for both cats and dogs

How to give your cat a pill.


1. Pick cat up and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if holding a baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat's mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth, pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow.

2. Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process.

3. Retrive cat from bedroom, and throw soggy pill away.

4. Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm holding rear
paws tightly with left hand. Force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of 10.

5. Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe.
Call spouse from garden.

6. Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, holding front and rear paws. Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold cats head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and rub cat's throat vigorously.

7. Retrieve cat from curtain rail, get another pill from foil wrap. Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep
shattered figurines from hearth and set to one side for gluing later.

8. Wrap cat in large towel and get spouse to lie on cat with its head just visible from below spouse's armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force cat's mouth open with pencil and blow down drinking straw.

9. Check label to make sure pill not harmful to humans, dring glass of water to take taste away. Apply band-aid to spouse's forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap.

10. Retriev cat from neighbor's shed. Get another pill. Place cat in cupboard and close door onto neck to leave head showing. Force mouth open with dessert spoon. Flick pill down throat with elastic band.

11. Fetch screwdriver from garage and put door back on hinges.
Apply cold compress to cheek and check records for date of last tetnus shot. Throw T-shirt away and fetch new one from bedroom.

12. Ring fire brigade to retrieve cat from tree across the road.
Apologize to neighbor who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid
cat. Take last pill from foil wrap.

13. Tie cat's front paws to rear paws with garden twine and bind
tightly to leg of dining table. Find heavy duty pruning gloves from
shed. Force cat's mouth open with small spanner. Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of fillet steak. Hold head vertically and pour 1/2 pint of water down throat to wash pill down.

14. Get spouse to drive you to emergency room; sit quietly while
doctor stitches fingers and forearm and removes pill remnants from
right eye. Stop by furniture shop on way home to order new table.

Whoever wrote that is telling the truth.

hehe. I had a hard time this morning... he fought me like crazy. So I gave up and waited until he was asleep, then pried his mouth open, and popped it in way back on his tongue. He swallowed it immediately and went right back to sleep. Think I found the trick

Vicki

You had me and mom rolling on the floor laughing, I think we scared the neighbors.

That's so true.